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PROMINENT    COUNTY    DEMOCRATS-ll 
ELBERT    C.    HOWES 


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<^  '  ^L. 


HISTORY  OF 


PUTNAM  COUNTY, 


NEW  YORK, 


-WITH- 


Biographical   Sketches  of  its   Prominent   Men. 


BY 

WILLIAM  S.  PELLETRBAU,  A.  M., 

Author  of  Histories  of  Southampton,  Southold  and  Easthampton,  Suffolk  County  ;  Histories  of 
Athens  and  Coxsackie,  Greene  County;  and  Haverstraw,  Rockland  County,  N.  Y. 


Philadelphia: 
W.  W.  PRESTON  &  CO. 


1886. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

INTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER.                                  page. 
Early  Discoveries 1 

CHAPTER  n. 
Adolph  Philipse  and  his  Patent 10 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Philipse  Family 20 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Division  of  the  Highland  Patent 40 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Wappinger  Indians  and  then-  Controversy  with  the  Heirs  of  Adolph 
PhiUpse 65 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Confiscation  and  Sale  of  the  Shares  of  the  Patent  belonging  to  Susannah 
Robinson  and  Mary  Philipse ■. . .     87 

CHAPTER  VII. 
The  Gore 103 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Oblong 108 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Settlement  and  Population 118 

CHAPTER  X. 

Roads  and  Ferries 130 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Political  Divisions 145 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Establishment  of  Putnam  Cotmty;  County  Institutions  and  County  Officers. .  161 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
The  Claim  of  John  Jacob  Astor 178 


11  TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XIV.                                                 PAGE. 
Putnam  County  During  the  Civil  War 302 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Militia  of  Putnam  County 219 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

Hon.  James  Kent.— Henry  B.  Lee.— Ralsaman  C.  Austin. — George  W.  Niven.— 
Frederic  Stone. — Walker  Todd.— Jeremiah  Hine.— Henry  B.  Cowles.— 
Elijah  Yerks. — Howard  H.  White.— Benjamin  Bailey. — John  G.  Miller.— 
Charles  Ga  Nun. — Peter  M.  Jordan. — William  A.  Dean. — Levi  H.  McCoy. — 
James  D.  Little. — Charles  H.  Slosson. — Samuel  J.Owen. — Owen  T.  Coffin. — 
William  J.  Blake. — Jackson  O.  Dykman. — George  W.  Horton. — Ambrose 
Ryder. — Edward  Wright. — Charles  H.  Ferris. — Hon.  William  Wood. — 
Seymour  B.  Nelson. — James  Gardiner. — Abram  J.  Miller. — William  H. 
Haldane. — George  E.  Anderson. — WardB.  Yeonaans. — Frederic  S.Barnum. 
— Clayton  Ryder. — Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  jr. — Hon.  Robert  A.  Livingston.  234 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE   MEDICAL  HISTORY  OP  PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

Dr.  Robert  Weeks. — Ebenezer  Fletcher. — Daniel  Reed. — William  G.  Hopkins. — 
Aaron  Carman. — Noah  Hill  Crane. — Dr.  Howland. — Frederick  Fletcher. — 
Ebenezer  F.  Boyd. — Dr.  Barnum. — Asher  Gilbert. — Dr.  Adams. — Dr. 
Boardman. — Edward  Crosby. — J.  Homer  Smith. — Frederick  D.  Lente. — 
Ira  H.  Walker.— Edward  B.  Turner. — Joseph  H.  Bailey.— Daniel  Bull. — 
John  Hamilton. — Joseph  C.  Crane. — J.  Q.  Adams. — Addison  Ely. — Nathan 
W.  Wheeler. — Jonathan  F.  Seeley. — Austin  La  Monte. — George  W.  Mur- 
'  dock.- Jared  G.  Wood.— Lewis  H.  Miller.— Edson  Card,  jr.— James  Had- 
den. — Ernest  Hebrsmith. — Medical  Societies 251 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Education , 278 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

TOWN   OP   CARMEL. 

Settlement  and  Early  History. — Village  of  Carmel. — Lake  Gleneida. Carmel 

Collegiate    Institute    and    Drew    Ladies'    Seminai-y.— Carmel    Literary 

Union. —  Railroad. —  Bank. —  Newspapers. —  The    Gilead    Church. Rev. 

Daniel  D.  Sahler.— Gilead  Burying  Ground.— James  Raymond.— Mount 
Carmel  Baptist  Church.— Rev.  William  S.  Clapp.— Methodist  Episcopal 
Church gg^ 

CHAPTER  XX. 
TOWN  OF  CARMEL  (Continued). 
Lake  Mahopac— Hotels  and  Boarding  Houses.— Lake  Mahopac  Improvement 
Company.— Mahopac  Land  Company.— Putnam  Land  Company.— The 
Islands  of  Lake  Mahopac— Lake  Mahopac  Methodist  Church.— Protestant 
Episcopal  Church.— Roman  Catholic  Church.— Union  Valley  Cemetery  and 
Chapel.— Mount  Hope  Metliodist  Chapel.— Red  Mills.— Mahopac  Iron  Ore 
Company.— Red  Mills  Baptist  Church.— Red  Mills  Presbyterian  Church.— 
Rev.  Harris  Rogers  Schenck.— Putnam  County  Seminary  Association.— 
Western  Part  of  Carmel. — Supervisors 327 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS.  Ill 

CHAPTEE  XXI.  PAGE. 
TOWN  OP  CAEMEL  (Concluded). 
The  Hill  Family.— The  Crane  Family.— The  Baldwin  Family.— The  Barrett 
Family. — Abram  Ci'onk. — Cornelius  Dean. — Alotson  Dean, — Lewis  Lud- 
ington. — Charles  Henry  Ludington. — James  Ludington. — Zalmon  Luding- 
ton. — Deacon  Aaron  Ganong. — Leonard  Yeamans. — The  Badeau  Family.  — 
The  Hazen  Family.^ — Jeremiah  W.  Hazen. — The  Gregory  Family. — The 
Austin  Family. — Lewis  Ga  Nun. — Thaddeus  R.  Ganung. — Robert  D. 
Wixsom. — Nathan  L.Thompson. — James  C.  Gulick. — The  Miller  Family. — 
Dr.  Henry  F.  Miller. — Hon.  Henry  D.  Clapp. — Bryant  S.  Palmer. — Dr. 
James  H.  Merritt.— The  Foster  Family.— William  W.  Everett.— The 
Weeks  Family. .  .• 361 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

TOWN   OP   SOUTHEAST. 

Settlement  and  Early  History. — Early  Records. — Supervisors. — Philipse  Lot 
No.  8. — The  Fowler  Family. — Middletown. — Columbia  Library. — South- 
east Center. — Presbyterian  Church  at  Southeast  Center. — Doansburg. — 
DeForest's  Corners. — Line  between  Lots  8  and  9. — Presbyterian  Church  at 
Doansburg. — Dykeman's  Station. — Baptist  Church  at  Dykeman's  Station.  413 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

TOWN  OF  sotTTHEAST  (Concluded). 
Village  of  Brewster. — Savings  Bank. — Croton  River  Bank. — First  National 
Bfink. — Fires  and  Fire  District. — Newspapers. — Emerson  W.  Addis. — Bor- 
den Condensed  Milk  Factory. — Brewster  Hill. — Methodist  Church. — St. 
Andi'ew's  Church. — Baptist  Church. — Roman  Catholic  Church. — Societies. 
Iron  Mines. — Croton  Reservoir. — Descendants  of  Rev.  ElishaKent. — Enoch 
Crosby. — The  Doane  Family. — Daniel  Drew. — The  Theall  Family. — Gen. 
James  Ryder. — Samuel  H.  Everett. — Daniel  W.  Dykman. — The  Brewster 
Family. — The  Howes  Family. — Joshua  Barnum.^ — Morgan  Horton. — John 
T.  Waring.— Levi  H.  Roberts.— The  Reed  Family.— Charles  E.  Everett. .  .  455 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN. 

Erection  and  Boundaries. — The  River  Lots. — Beverly  Robinson. — William 
Denning. — Beverly  Farm. — Beverly  House. — Arnold's  Treason. — Garri- 
son's.—South  Highlands  Methodist  Chm-ch.- The  Hopper  Mine.— Conti- 
nental Village. — Highland  Chemical  Works. — St.  Philip's  Church  in  the 
Highlands. — Methodist  Church  at  Garrison's. — Philipse  Lot  No.  3. — Set- 
tlers.— Early  Town  Records. — Revolutionary 518 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

TOWN  OF  PHILIPSTOWN  (Concluded). 

Village  of  Cold  Spring. — West  Point  Foundry. — Growth  of  Village. — Incor- 
poration.— Cold  Spring  Recorder. — Fires. — Philipstown  Lodge. — Baptist 
Church. — St.  Mary's  Episcopal  Church. — Methodist  C'hurch. — First  Re- 
formed Church. — Presbyterian  Church. — Roman  Catholic  Church. — Cem- 
eteries.— Nelsonville. — West  Point  Iron  Company. — Union  Chapel,  Me- 
keel's  Corners. — Constitution  Island. — North  Part  of  Philipstown. — Col. 


IV  TABLE    OF   COKTENTS. 

PAGE. 
Roger  Morris.— Old  Highland  Methodist  Church.— Northeast  Part  of 
Town.— Murders.— Supervisors.— Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  LL.D.— Hon.  Ed- 
wards Pien-epont.— Edward  Pierrepont.— Hon.  Daniel  P.  and  Arthur  In- 
graham.— Gouverneur  Kemble.— William  D.  Garrison.— James  H.  Hal- 
dane.— Robert  P.  Parrott.— Col.  Thomas  B.  Arden.— Henry  W.  Belcher.— 
Osmond  M.  Baxter.— Hon.  George  McCabe 551 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

TOWN  OF  PATTERSON. 

Incorporation.— Early  Records.— Settlement.— Paterson  Family.—  Roads.— 
Early  Inliabitants  and  their  residences.— Civil  List.— Change  of  Name.— 
Schools.— Franklin  Union  Library.— Pendergi-ast's  Rebellion.— Presbyte- 
rian Church.— Baptist  Church.— Chi-ist  Church.— Quaker  Meeting  House.— 
Roman  Otholic  Church,  Towner's  Station.— Methodist  Chapel,  Havi- 
land  Hollow.— Revolutionary  Items. — North  Line  of  Lot  7.— Sylvester 
Mabie 639 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

TOWN  OF  KENT. 

Settlement.— Cole's  Mills. — Boyd's  Corners.— First  Baptist  Church.— Episcopal 
Church. —  Richardville  Chapel. — Boyd's  Reservoir. — Farmer's  Mills. — 
Baptist  Church. — Other  Localities. — Ludingtonville. — Col.  Henry  Luding- 
ton. — Second  Baptist  Church  in  Kent. — Change  of  Boundary. — Putnam 
County  Bank. — Union  Cemetery  Association. — Mines. — Supervisors. — 
David  Kent.— Daniel  R.  Nichols. — The  Townsend  Family. — Coleman  Rob- 
inson   675 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

TOWN  OF  PUTNAM  VALLEY. 

Establishment  and  Boundaries. — Change  of  Name. — Settlemient. — Cemeteries. 
— Peekskill  Hollow  Methodist  Church. — Oscawana  Lake. — Canopus  Hol- 
low.— Baptist  Church,  Croft's  Corners. — Methodist  Church,  Croft's  Cor- 
ners.— Hempstead  Huts. — Mountain  Chapel. — Oregon. — Solpew  Pond. — 
Change  of  Boundary. — Supervisors. — Walter  N.  Wood. — Hon.  Saxton 
Smith. — George  William  Lane 714 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 
Personal  Sketches 738 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PORTRAITS. 

Putnam,  Gen.  Israel Frontispiece-. 

Philipse,   Adolph, — "  Patentee." 14 

Philipse,  Frederick,—"  Yonker"  or  "  Judge." 30 

Philipse,  Frederick, — ' '  Colonel." 38 

Philipse,  Philip 34 

Philipse,  Frederick,—"  Captain." 36 

PhiUpse,  Susannah,— Mrs.  Robinson 40 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS.  V 

PAGE. 

Philipee,  Mary, — Mrs.  Morris 42 

Philipse,  Margaret 44 

Morris,  Gen.  William  H 316 

Stone,   Frederic 326 

Little,  James  D 334 

Blake,  William  J 336 

Dykman,  Jackson  0 338 

Ryder,  Ambrose 340 

Wright,  Edward 242 

Wood,  William 244 

Miller,  Abram  J 245 

Barnum,  Frederic  S 346 

Fish,  Hamilton,  Jr 248 

Livingston,  Robert  A 250 

Lente,  Frederick  D 258 

Adams,  J.  Q 262 

Wheeler,  Nathan  W 365 

Seeley,  Jonathan  F 866 

La  Monte,  Austin 367 

Murdock,  George  Wilson : 368 

Miller,  Lewis  H 370 

Sahler,  Rev.  Daniel  D 314 

Clapp,  Rev.  William  S 323 

Hill,  Isaac 363 

Hill,  Solomon 363 

Crane,  B.  T 366 

Crane,  Azor  B 368 

Crane,  Ii-a 369 

Baldwin,  Hemy  S 370 

Barrett,  Peter  B 373 

Barrett,  Isaac  D 374 

Dean,  Cornelius 376 

Dean,  Alotson 378 

Ludington,  Lewis ♦ 380 

Ganong,  Aaron 384 

Yeamans,  Leonard 386 

Badeau,  John  H 388 

Hazen,  Orson, 390 

Hazen,  Jeremiah  W 393 

Austin,  Amos  L , 394 

Ga  Nun,  Lewis 396 

Ganung,  Thaddeus  R 398 

Wixsom,  Robert  D ,.. 400 

Thompson,  Nathan  L , 401 

Gulick,  James  C 403 

Miller,  Henry  F 404 

Clapp,  Henry  D 406 

Palmer,  Bryant  S 408 

Men-itt,  James  H 409 

Everett,  William  W 410 

Addis,  Emerson  W 460 


VI  Table  of  contents. 

PAGE. 

Doane,  A.  S '^^ 

Drew,  Daniel ' ^^ 

Theall,  Thatcher  H ^^^ 

Theall,  Arvah fz 

Everett,  Samuel  H '^^ 

Dykman,  Daniel  W 

Howes,  Seth  B.,  Sen '^^^ 

Barnum,  Joshua •  • ' 

Horton,  Morgan ' 

Waring,  John  T 

Roberts,  Levi  P 

Eeed,  Edwin ^^* 

Everett,  Charles  E : ^^^ 

Fish,  Hamilton '^^^ 

Pierrepont,  Edwards 

Pierrepont,   Edward """ 

Ingraham,  Daniel  P 

Ingraham,  Arthur "'' 

Garrison,  William  D ^1^ 

Haldane,  James  H ^^'^ 

Belcher,  Henry  W ^^4 

Baxter,  Osmond  M : ^^^ 

McCabe,   George "^^ 

Mabie,  Sylvester ^"^^ 

Kent,  David ''O^ 

Nichols,  Daniel  R ''06 

Townsend,  C.  C ■. ''08 

Robinson,   Coleman ^12 

Wood,  Walter  N 'i'34 

Smith,  Saxton ''36 

VIEWS. 

Court  House  and  County  Clerk's  Office 166 

The  Philipse  Manor  House 288 

Carmel  in  1858 * 296 

Drew  Ladies'  Seminary. — Front  view 300 

Drew  Ladies'  Seminary. — Rear  view 301 

Maple  Grove  Cottage — Residence  of  D.  W.  Robinson 304 

Baptist  Church,  Carmel  Village 320 

Methodist  Church,  Carmel  Village        325 

Dean  House,  Lake  Mahopao i 334 

Old  Red  Mills .• ...  346 

Baptist  Church,  Mahopac  Falls 34Vi 

Presbyterian  Church,  Mahopao  Falls 352 

Residence  of  the  late  Lewis  Ludington,  Carmel,  N.  Y 881 

"  Sunset  Hill,"  Residence  of  James  C.  Guliok,  Carmel,  N.  Y 403 

Residence  of  Hon.  Henry  D.  Clapp,  Carmel,  N.  Y 4(lT 

"  Stonehenge,"  Residence  of  S.  B-  Howes,  Brewster,  N.  Y 503 

"  Walnut  Ridge,"  Residence  of  George  Luff,  Garrison's,  N.  Y 534 

"  Mountain  Home,"  Residence  of  A.  G.  Newman,  Garrison's,  N.  Y 536 

St.  Philips  Chapel 541 


TxVBLE    OF    CONTENTS.  Vll 

PAOE. 

St.  Mary's  Church  in  the  Highlands 567 

"  Glencliffe,"  Residence  of  Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  Garrison's,  N.  Y 589 

Hurst-Pierrepont  in  the  Highlands 591 

"  Fair  View,"  Residence  of  Walter  N.  Wood,  Putnam  Valley,  N.  Y 785 

"  American  Hovise." — Patterson 764 

MAPS,  PLANS,  ETC. 

Map  of  Putnam  County 1 

Fac-simile  of  Deed  by  Wappinger  Indians  to  Borland  and  Seabrant,  July 

15th,  1691 12 

Autograph,  A.  Philipse     14 

Map  of  Philipse  Patent 16 

Map  of  Oblong 17 

Fac-simile  of    Deed   by  Wappinger    Indians   to    Adolph    Philipse,    August 

13th,  1703 18 

Autograph,  Philip  Philipse 33 

Autograph,  Fred  Philips,  1837 37 

Autogi-aph,  Fred  Philii^se,  Administrator  of  Fred  Philips,  1830 37 

The  Land  in  Controversy 79 

Autographs,  B.  W.  Robinson  and  others 154 

Map  showing  Original  Farms  around  Lake  Mahojjac 338 

West  Corner  of  Lots  8  and  9,  Philipse  Patent 433 

Autograph  Map  with  Notes  and  Letters  from  Chancellor  Kent 438 

Map  of  Beverly  FarrA 530 

Autographs,  Roger  Morris,  Mary  Philipse  and  Susannah  Robinson 580 

Fac-simile  of  Comnaission  to  Henry  Ludington  as  Colonel,  June,  1776 693 

Fai^-simile  of  Commission  to  Henry  Ludington  as  Captain  in  Col.  Beverly 

Robinson's  Regiment 694 

Fac-simile  of  Commission  to  Henry  Ludington,  as  Colonel,  May  38th,  1778. . .  696 

Fac-simile  of  Order  of  An'est  issued  by  WilUam  Duer 698 

Fac-simile  of  Letter  from  Nathaniel  Sackett  to  Col.  Henry  Ludington 700 


ARTISTS. 
P.  F.  Goist.  F.  M.  Gilbert. 

ENGRAVERS. 

H.  B.  Hall's  Sons.  A.  H.  Ritchie. 

Samuel  Sartain. 


PREFACE. 


IN  the  summer  of  1885,  the  writer  of  this  work  was  called 
from  his  home,  at  Southampton,  L.  I.,  to  undertake  the  task 
of  preparing  a  History  of  Putnam  County,  for  the  Publishers, 
W.  W.  and  L.  E.  Preston.  Upon  arriving  at  the  scene  of  his 
labors,  the  grandeur  of  the  mountain  scenery  impressed  his 
mind,  with  the  contrast,  so  great,  between  the  "High  Hills  of 
the  Highlands  "  and  the  ocean  shore,  which  had  been  within 
his  view  from  earliest  childhood.  A  more  extended  acquaint- 
ance began  to  demonstrate,  not  only  the  difference  in  physi- 
cal, but  in  historical  matters,  and  he  found  increasing  interest 
in  searching  for  the  sources  of  information  upon  which  the 
historian  must  rely.  The  little  knowledge  that  is  left  of 
that  aboriginal  race  whose  origin  is  unknown  and  whose  end 
is  oblivion  ;  the  coming  of  another  race,  and  their  conquest 
of  the  soil ;  the  settlements  they  made  and  the  towns  they 
founded  ;  with  the  endless  diversity  found  in  family  history, 
and  the  change  of  events  in  political  affairs  ;  the  history  of 
that  family,  who  were  once  lords  and  owners  of  all  the  land 
around ;  the  banishment  and  the  death  in  a  foreign  land  of 
some  of  their  number ;  all  these  soon  became  the  subjects 
of  search  after  knowledge,  which  became  the  more  fascinat- 
ing from  its  being  laborious.  If  the  author  has  succeeded 
in  throwing  any  light  upon  the  darkness  which  hides  the 
past;  if  he  has  recorded  information  which  otherwise  would 
have  been  lost,  and  if  the  researches  he  has  made  shall  in- 
duce others  to  follow  the  path  he  has  marked  out,  he  will 
feel  that  his  labors  have  not  been  in  vain. 

It  only  remains  to  express  our  sincere  thanks  for  the  valu- 
able assistance  received  from  those  who  have  sympathized 
with  the  work,  and  especially  to  John  De  Witt  Warner,  Esq., 


X  PREFACE. 

for  access  to  the  papers  of  the  Philipse  family,  without  which 
the  task  of  writing  the  History  of  the  County  would  be  at- 
tempted in  vain.  To  his  assistant,  Mr.  Henry  S.  Concklin,  we 
are  under  obligations  for  many  favors  willingly  rendered. 
The  kindness  and  courtesy  of  Edward  C.  Weeks,  Esq.,  County 
Clerk,  will  ever  be  a  source  of  fond  remembrance,  and  we 
wish  to  return  thanks  to  our  respected  friend,  Jeremiah  W. 
Hazen,  Esq.,  Sheriff  of  the  County,  for  the  facilities  afforded 
for  visiting  all  parts  of  the  region  whose  history  we  have 
attempted  to  narrate.  To  render  acknowledgment  to  Wil- 
liam J.  Blake,  Esq.,  whose  History  of  Putnam  County  has 
preceded  our  own,  is  a  pleasure  as  well  as  a  duty.  While 
to  Mr.  Philip  H.  Smith,  the  Historian  of  Dutchess  County, 
we  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude,  for  assistance  in  locating  many 
ancient  landmarks,  the  memory  of  which  has  passed  away. 
We  are  equally  indebted  to  Hon.  Ambrose  Ryder,  who  pre- 
pared the  Bench  and  Bar  Chapter,  Dr.  J.  Q.  Adams,  the 
author  of  the  Medical  History,  James  A.  Foshay,  for  the 
Chapter .  on  Education,  Gen.  James  Ryder,  for  the  Chapter 
on  Militia,  and  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Reed,  for  preparing  the 
map  of  the  County. 

And  also  to  Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp,  of  Carmel,  Hon.  Saxton 
Smith,  of  Putnam  Valley;  Dr.  N.  W.  Wheeler,  of  Patterson; 
Frank  Wells,  Esq.,  of  Southeast;  and  Col.  Thomas  B.  Arden,  of 
Philipstown,  for  assistance  on  the  History  of  their  respective 
towns;  and  to  Hon.  Edward  Wright,  Hon.  William  Wood, 
Hon.  George  McCabe,  Hon.  Samuel  H.  Everett,  District  At- 
torney A.  J.  Miller,  Charles  H.  Ludington,  Esq.,  New  York 
City,  and  the  Clergy  and  Press  of  the  County. 

With  these  words,  the  author  lays  down  his  pen,  and  con- 
cludes the  task  which  has  so  long  been  a  pleasure.  He 
ventures  to  hope  that  his  labor  will  be  appreciated  long  after 
he  is  dust,  and  that  whoever  attempts  a  similar  task,  in 
the  future,  will  accept  his  base  although  they  jnay  enlarge 
his  building. 

William  S.  Pelletreau. 


HISTORY  OF  PDTNAM  COUNTY. 


JNTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER. 


EARLY   DISCOVERIES. 


THE  discovery  of  America  is  the  boundary  between  the 
Middle  Ages  and  modern  history.  A  numerous  train  of 
adventurers  followed  the  track  that  the  great  Columbus  had 
shown,  and  for  awhile  the  governments  of  Spain  and  Portugal 
were  the  rulers  of  all  that  was  known  of  the  Western  World. 
The  Pope,  in  the  plenitude  of  his  then  existing  power,  assumed 
the  authority  to  divide  all  lands  not  yet  discovered,  between 
these  nations,  and  greed  for  gold,  which  was  the  inspiring  spirit 
of  their  adventure,  soon  led  to  the  conquest  of  those  lands 
which  abounded  with  precious  metals  and  promised  boundless 
wealth  to  the  conquerors  in  return  for  their  exposure  and  toil. 
But  the  true  nature  of  the  newly  discovered  lands  was  not  known 
till  long  years  after.  To  the  early  Spanish  voyagers,  America 
was  but  a  distant  portion  of  the  Indies,  and  the  name  of 
Indians,  which  was  giveji  to  the  inhabitants,  took  its  origin 
from  this  error,  which,  raough  long  since  exploded,  is  still  per- 
petuated in  memory  by  the  name  which  is  likely  to  endure 
when  the  last  relic  of  aboriginal  life  has  vanished  from  the  con- 
tinent. When  at  last  it  dawned  ujion  the  minds  of  Europeans 
that  America  was  indeed  a  continent  which  interposed  between 
them  and  the  Indies,'  then  it  became  the  object  of  search  to  find 
a  passage  through,  or  around,  the  new  found  lands,  which 
should  be  a  shorter  route  to  that  far  distant  land.  It  was  for 
this  purpose  that  every  bay  and  river  along  the  Atlantic  coast 
was  carefully  explored  in  the  vain  hope  that  some  one  of  them 
might  be  the  anxiously  sought  for  passage  to  the  far  oflf  South 
Sea,  across  which  their  vessels  might  sail  to  what  was  then  the 
synonym  of  wealth,  the  Indies. 
1 


2  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  power  of  Spain  and  Portugal  precluded  all  attempts  on 
the  part  of  the  northern  nations  to  make  discoveries  in  South 
America,  or  to  the  south  of  Florida,  the  story  of  whose  dis- 
covery by  the  heroic  adventurer,  in  his  vain  quest  for  the 
fountain  of  youth,  seems  a  fragment  from  the  realms  of  fable. 
But  expeditions  from  France  and  England  soon  found  their  way 
to  the  northern  coast  of  the  New  World,  and  in  1524  Giovanni 
da  Verazzano,  a  Florentine  navigator  in  the  service  of  Francis  I, 
of  France,  made  a  voyage  along  the  eastern  coast  of  what  are 
now  the  Southern  and  Middle  States  of  the  Union,  and  from 
the  account  which  he  gave  it  was  long  believed  that  he  was  the 
first  to  enter  the  harbor  of  New  York,  though  the  researches  of 
modern  historians  have  done  much  to  throw  doubt  upon  the 
claims  of  discovery  which  have  been  made  for  him.  Whatever 
may  be  the  truth  or  falsity  of  the  account  attributed  to  him, 
it  is  certain  that  no  results  followed  his  discoveries,  no  .colonies 
were  planted,  and  for  long  years  his  voyage  seems  to  have  been 
forgotten. 

In  the  year  1497,  Sebastian  Cabot,  a  navigator  in  the  service 
of  England,  sailed  along  the  American  coast  from  the  38th  to 
the  58th  parallel.  This  was  the  origin  of  the  English  claim  to 
all  that  region  of  country,  a  claim  which  was  destined  in  after 
years  to  be  sustained,  and  the  benefits  of  which  we  as  a  nation 
now  enjoy. 

It  remains  to  state  the  circumstances  under  which  the  Dutch 
became  the  founders  of  the  territory  now  comprising  the  State 
of  New  York.  An  association  of  merchants  was  established  in 
Holland,  having  for  its  object  the  long  cherished  scheme  of 
finding  the  northeast  route  to  China.  The  "Company  of 
Foreign  Countries"  had,  in  the  year  1594,  equipped  three 
vessels,  to  make  the  search.  After  a  long  and  tedious  voyage 
in  which  they  were  beset  with  ice,  they  returned  unsuccessful. 
In  1595,  seven  more  vessels  tried  the  same  experiment,  but  with 
no  better  success.  The  next  year  the  Council  of  Amsterdam 
undertook  the  en|ierprise  and  sent  two  vessels  on  the  hopeless 
search.  One  of  these  was  shipwrecked  on  the  stormy  coast  of 
Nova  Zembla,  and  its  pilot,  the  famed  Barentz,  found  a  watery 
grave,  while  the  other  returned,  driven  back  as  it  were  by  the 
Spirit  of  the  Storm,  that  seemed  to  guard  the  entrance  to  the 
Eastern  World. 

A  sudden  change  in  the  direction  of  these  attempts  was  soon 


GENERAL   HISTOET.  3 

after  made  by  an  unlocked  for  circumstance.  One  Cornelius 
Houtman,  "a  shrewd  Hollander,"  being  in  Portugal,  took 
occasion  to  gain  all  the  information  he  could  from  the  navigators 
of  that  country  respecting  the  Indies,  and  especially  concerning 
the  newly  discovered  route  around  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
The  authorities  looking  upon  his  inquiries  with  suspicion  he 
was  arrested  and  fined.  As  the  only  means  by  which  he  could 
regain  his  liberty  was  by  the  payment  of  a  fine  which  was 
beyond  his  means,  he  wrote  to  several  merchants  in  Amsterdam 
narrating  the  circumstances  and  proposing  that  if  they  would 
pay  the  fine  he  in  return  would  communicate  to  them  the 
information  he  had  gained.  This  offer  was  accepted,  and  in 
1595  a  fleet  of  four  vessels  sailed  from  the  Texel,  under  the 
command  of  Houtman  and  others,  bound  on  the  southern  route 
to  the  Indies.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years  and  four  months 
they  returned  with  their  object  accomplished,  and  richly  laden 
with  the  products  of  the  far  off  land.  The  success  of  this 
enterprise  led  to  the  formation  of  other  companies,  and  the 
rivalry  between  them  was  so  great  that  in  1602  it  was  rendered 
necessary  to  unite  them  all,  and  hence  the  origin  of  the  great 
"  Dutch  East  India  Company,"  which  in  after  years  astonished 
all  Europe  with  its  extensive  power  and  dominion. 

A  company  had  been  formed  in  London  for  the  purpose  of 
exploring  the  Arctic  for  a  new  route  to  China.  In  accordance 
with  this  "project  they  contemplated  three  expeditions:  one  to 
the  north,  one  to  the  northeast  and  the  third  to  the  northwest. 
To  conduct  these  voyages  they  employed  Henry  Hudson,  a 
name  as  enduring  as  any  on  the  rolls  of  fame.  In  the  employ 
of  this  company  he  made  two  voyages,  both  of  which  were 
unsuccessful.  The  company  declined  to  take  any  farther  risks, 
and  refused  to  equip  the  expedition  for  a  third  voyage.  Hudson 
then  went  to  Holland  and  after  some  effort  enlisted  their  sym- 
pathies in 'favor  of  his  scheme.  The  Amsterdam  Directors 
finally  succeeded  in  getting  a  majority  of  votes  in  its  favor,  and 
they  fitted  out  a  small  vessel  called  the  "Half  Moon"  and 
gave  the  command  to  Hudson.  On  the  'Gth  of  May,  1609,  he 
sailed  from  the  Texel  with  a  crew  of  twenty,  who  were  partly 
English  and  partly  Dutch.  After  a  long  and  tedious  voyage  he 
arrived  upon  our  shores,  and  on  the  12tli  of  September,  entered 
the  Bay  of  New  York,  as  a  new  discoverer. 

"  His  bark  the  only  ship, 

Where  a  thousand  now  are  seen." 


4  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Continuing  his  voyage,  he  sailed  for  150  miles  up  the  river  that 
bears  his  name,  still  hoping  that  the  dream  of  long  years  was 
about  to  prove  a  reality,  and  he  had  discovered  a  new  passage 
to  the  Southern  Ocean.  But  the  freshness  of  the  water  as  he 
ascended  toward  its  source  soon  convinced  him  that  he  was 
upon  a  river,  and  not  upon  a  strait  between  two  oceans,  and  his 
voyage  completed,  he  returned  to  Holland. 

In  1610,  another  vessel  was  sent  to  trade  with  the  natives, 
and  in  1612  two  more  followed,  and  a  small  fort  and  a  few 
buildings  were  erected  at  the  southern  extremity  of  Manhattan 
Island,  and  the  place  was  named  New  Amsterdam.  In  1614, 
the  States  General  of  Holland  granted  a  charter  to  the  mer- 
chants engaged  in  these  expeditions,  and  exclusive  privileges 
were  granted  to  them  for  a  term  of  years.  One  Hendrick 
Christiansen  had  ascended  the  river  and  a  trading  post  and  fort 
were  erected  on  the  present  site  of  Albany,  which  was  named 
Fort  Orange,  and  in  1621  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  was 
established.  The  emigration  to  the  new  colony  began  in  1623. 
As  might  be  expected,  many  of  the  people  who  were  anxious  to 
emigrate  and  seek  new  homes  in  the  wilderness  were  not  pos- 
sessed of  the  means  necessary  to  enable  them  to  accomplish  their 
purpose,  while  persons  of  comfortable  circumstances  were 
under  no  inducement  to  leave  the  comforts  of  their  native  land. 
This  led  to  the  system  of  patroonships,  by  which  wealthy  men 
obtained  grants  of  large  extents  of  land  and  sent  settlers  at 
their  own  expense,  who  became  their  tenants,  and  paid  a  small, 
and  sometimes  merely  nominal  rent,  for  the  lands  which  they 
occupied.  At  first  settlements  were  only  made  near  the  two 
forts  at  New  Amsterdam  and  Orange,  but  as  the  danger  from 
the  Indians  decreased  they  became  more  widely  extended.  In 
1629,  the  company  offered  tracts  to  patroons  who  should  found 
settlements  of  fifty  or  more  adults,  and  several  availed  them- 
selves of  this  offer. 

Peter  Minuit  was  appointed  governor  in  1626,  and  was  recalled 
in  1633,  and  Wouter  Van  Twiller  was  appointed  in  his  place. 
It  was  during  his  administration  that  the  controversy  between 
the  English  and  Dutch  concerning  the  jurisdiction  commenced, 
the  former  claiming  under  the  discoveries  made  by  Cabot,  and 
the  grant  which  had  been  made  by  King  James  I,  to  the  Ply- 
mouth Company.  On  the  other  side,  the  Dutch  claimed  full 
ownership  as  being  the  first  to  take  possession  and  establish 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  0 

colonies,  and  that  the  claim  of  England  was  null  and  void  on 
the  grounds  that  '■'■  Prescriptio  sine  possessione  haud  valeaf'' 
(Prescription  without  possession  is  of  little  worth).  In  1638, 
Van  T wilier  was  succeeded,  in  the  government  of  the  colony, 
by  William  Kief  t,  but  owing  to  hostilities  which  occurred  with 
the  Indians  on  Long  Island  and  for  which  Kief t  was  censured, 
he  was  recalled,  and  was  succeeded  in  1647,  by  the  famous 
Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  greatest  and  the  last  of  the  Dntch  gov- 
ernors. In  the  year  1664,  King  Charles  II,  of  England,  granted 
to  his  brother,  James,  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  all  the 
territory  between  the  Connecticut  and  the  Delaware,  including 
the  entire  Dutch  possessions.  To  enforce  this  grant  a  fleet  was 
sent  under  the  command  of  Col.  Richard  Nicolls,  who 
entered  the  harbor  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  provinces. 
After  much  fruitless  negotiation,  the  Articles  of  Surrender  were 
signed  by  Governor  Stuyvesant  and  the  Dutch  power  ceased 
to  exist.  As  all  the  inhabitants  were  confirmed  in  the  full  pos- 
session of  their  property,  the  transfer  of  the  government  made 
little  change  in  cheir  circumstances.  The  name  New  Amster- 
dam was  changed  to  New  York,  and  Fort  Orange  to  Albany, 
new  laws  were  prescribed  for  the  province,  and  courts  were 
established.  Although  the  change  cannot  be  defended  upon 
any  abstract  principles  of  right,  yet  it  can  be  looked  upon  in 
no  other  light  than  as  the  making  of  the  province,  as  the  Nor- 
man Conquest  was  the  making  of  England. 
■  Richard  Nicolls,  the  first  English  governor,  resigned  in  1668 
and  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Francis  Lovelace,  and  New  York 
was  retaken  by  the  DutSh  in  1673,  but  reverted  to  the  English 
in  the  following  year.  Sir  Edmund  Andros  was  commissioned 
governor,  and  proving  a  despotic  ruler  he  became  unpopular 
with  the  people  and  involved  the  province  in  difiiculties  with 
the  neighboring  colonies.  He  was  recalled,  and  his  successor, 
Thomas  Dongan,  took  charge  of  the  government  in  1683,  and 
the  first  Colonial  Assembly  was  convened  and  many  needed 
reforms  were  made.  About  this  time  Charles  II  died  and  was 
succeeded  on  the  throne  by  his  brother,  who  reigned  as  James 
II.  A  bigoted  and  narrow-minded  tyrant,  he  refused  to  confirm 
the  privileges  which  had  been  granted  when  he  was  duke,  pro- 
hibited the  Assembly,  forbade  the  establishment  of  the  printing 
press,  and  filled  the  principal  offices  of  the  province  with 
Roman  Catholics.     In  1689  King  James  was  driven  from  the 


6  HISTORT   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

throne  and  William  and  Mary  began  their  reign.  Jacob  Leisler, 
a  prominent  merchant  of  New  York,  seized  the  fort  in  New- 
York  for  the  new  sovereign  and  became  for  a  time  the  actual 
governor.  Upon  the  accession  of  Col.  Sloughter,  who  was 
commissioned  governor  in  1689  and  arrived  in  March,  1691, 
Leisler  refused  to  surrender  the  fort  at  first.  For  this  act  he 
was  tried  for  treason  by  a  special  commission,  and  through  the 
influence  of  his  enemies  was  condemned  to  death.  The  governor 
refused  to  sign  the  death  warrant,  but  was  persuaded  to  do  so 
while  intoxicated,  and  before  he  had  recovered  from  his  intoxi- 
cation the  ill-fated  victim  was  in  eternity.  Governor  Sloughter 
died  in  July  of  the  same  year,  and  in  1692  Benjamin  Fletcher 
arrived  with  a  commission  as  governor  and  this  brings  us  down 
to  the  period  when  the  History  of  Putnam  County  may  be  said 
to  begin. 

It  remains  to  state  the  regulations  and  circumstances  under 
which  grants  of  land  were  made  in  the  new  province  of  New 
York.  When  the  Dutch  settlers  first  began  to  found  their  set- 
tlements, "'The  land  was  all  before  them  where  to  choose." 
The  low  lands  that  reminded  them  of  their  native  Holland,  and 
whose  rich  fertility  promised  abundant  harvest  with  easy 
tillage,  were  the  first  to  be  occupied  and  here  they  established 
their  "SowjeWes"  or  farms.  While  the  early  settlers  of  New 
England  invariably  settled  in  villages  where  the  inhabitants 
could  be  a  mutual  protection,  the  Dutch  "  Boers,''''  or  farmers, 
seemed  possessed  with  a  desire  to  reside,  each  on  his  own 
plantation  and  remote  from  the  rest,  and  surrounded  only  by 
his  family  and  dependents.  This  principle  of  separation  was 
continued  even  after  death,  and  it  was  the  almost  universal  cus- 
tom among  the  Dutch  settlers,  and  their  descendants  for  many 
generations,  for  each  family  to  have  a  private  burying  ground, 
and  to  be  buried  on  their  own  land.  These  little  cemeteries, 
overgrown  with  weeds  and  briars,  and  in  a  condition  of  utter 
neglect,  are  very  frequently  to  be  found  on  the  old  farms  of  the 
Dutch  settlements,  long  since  passed  into  the  hands  of  strangers, 
and  the  memory  of  the  early  inhabitants  only  known  by  tra- 
dition, and  the  few  names  inscribed  upon  tombstones  fast 
crumbling  to  decay. 

Both  under  the  Dutch  and  English  rx^le,  the  first  step  to  be 
taken  when  a  new  settlement  was  to  be  established,  was  to 
obtain  a  license  from  the  governor  to  purchase  the  land  from 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  7 

the  tribe  of  Indians,  who  claimed  to  be  the  owners.  This  license 
having  been  duly  procured,  an  interview  was  obtained  with  the 
sachems  of  the  tribe,  and  the  purchase  was  effected  in  exchange 
for  various  articles  of  European  manufacture,  seldom  amount- 
ing in  value  to  more  than  a  hundred  dollars,  and  generally  in- 
cluding a  little  rum.  When  the  license  and  purchase  were  duly 
entered  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  the  colony,  a  patent, 
issued  by  the  governor,  with  his  signature  and  the  seal  of  the 
province  affixed,  was  delivered  to  the  owner  and  recorded  at 
length  in  the  secretary's  office.  The  original  patents  were 
written  upon  parchment  in  the  elegant  hand-writing  of  a  pro- 
fessional copyist,  and  were  of  great  length,  with  all  the  repeti- 
tion and  verbiage  so  commonly  used  in  conveyances  of  land 
under  English  law,  while  the  seal  attached,  without  which  they 
were  of  no  value,  was  frequently  a  cake  of  wax,  several  inches 
in  diameter  and  of  proportionate  thickness,  impressed  with  the 
arms  of  the  province.  Though  many  of  these  original  docu- 
ments have  been  lost  and  only  exist  among  the  records  in 
Albany,  yet  some  are  in  existence  and  in  a  fine  state  of 
preservation. 

The  obtaining  of  grants  of  land  was  not  unfrequently  con- 
nected with  gross  abuses.  The  boundaries  were  generally 
stated  in  an  indefinite  manner,  the  extent  of  one  patent  very 
often  trespassed  upon  the  bounds  of  another,  and  the  result 
was  a  tract  of  "disputed  lands,"  a  fruitful  cause  of  litigation, 
generally  settled  by  commissioners  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
The  large  tracts  of  land  engrossed  by  single  individuals  ren- 
dered it  necessary  to  pass  a  law  limiting  the  amount  to  be  pur- 
chased by  any  one  person.  This,  however,  was  often  evaded 
by  several  persons  combining  in  the  purchase,  and  as  soon  as 
the  patent  was  obtained,  selling  out  their  shares  to  some  of  the 
number,  the  arrangement  having  been  made  in  advance.  Prior 
to  the  time  when  the  lands  now  included  within  the  limits  of 
Putnam  county  were  purchased,  many  tracts  of  land  had  been 
taken  up  and  settlements  established  on  both  sides  of  the  Hud- 
son River.  Farms  or  "Boweries"  had  been  laid  out  on  Man- 
hattan Island,  at  the  earliest  period.  In  1639,  Jonas  Bronck 
became  the  owner  of  a  tract  in  Westchester  county,  which 
derived  its  name  (Bronck' s  land)  from  him,  and  in  after  years 
was  known  as  Morrisania.  In  1646,  Adrian  Van  der  Donk  pur- 
chased the  land  now  included  in  the  city  of  Yonkers  and  part 


8  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  New  York  city  adjoining,  and  established  the  colony  of 
Colendonk,  which  was  afterward  purchased  by  Frederick 
Philipse  and  was  patented  to  him  as  the  Manor  of  Philipsbnrg, 
in  1693. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  river  a  colony  had  been  founded  at  a 
very  early  date  near  Tappan.  This  was  destroyed  by  the 
Indians  and  abandoned.  In  1686,  the  Orangetown  Patent  was 
granted,  the  most  southerly  part  of  Rockland  county.  At 
Nyack  a  settlement  was  first  made  by  Class  Jans  Van  Pur- 
marent,  and  his  son,  Cornelius  Classen,  obtained  a  patent  for 
the  land  in  1671.  The  land  at  Haverstraw  was  purchased,  in 
1666,  by  Balthazar  De  Hart  and  his  brother.  Jacobus.  The 
greater  part  of  Clarkstown,  in  Rockland  county,  was  embraced 
in  the  patent  of  Kakiat,  granted  to  Daniel  Honan  and  Michael 
Howden,  in  1696.  The  true  boundary  between  New  York  and 
New  Jersey  was  not  settled  until  a  later  date,  and  as  late  as 
1671  it  was  thought  that  the  bounds  of  the  latter  extended  as 
far  north  as  Stony  Point. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson,  lands  by  Oroton  River  were 
sold  to  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  in  1683.  Ryck  Abrahamsen 
Lent  purchased  the  lands  now  the  southern  part  of  the  village 
of  Peekskill  in  1685.  The  northern  part  of  Peekskill  was 
granted  to  one  Hugh  McGrregory  in  1691,  while  to  the  north  of 
this  and  extending  to  the  Highlands  was  a  tract  patented  to 
John  Knight,  in  1686,  and  sold  by  him  to  Gov.  Thomas  Dongan, 
in  1687,  and  with  the  other  purchases  were  combined  in  the 
great  patent  known  as  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  granted  to 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  in  1697.  As  the  north  line  of 
the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  was  the  south  boundary  of  the  tract 
now  included  in  Putnam  county,  the  description  is  given  as 
found  in  the  original  patent,  "  Running  northerly  along  Hud- 
son River  as  the  river  runs,  unto  the  north  side  of  a  high 
hill  called  Anthony's  Nose,  to  a  red  cedar  tree,  which  marks 
the  southermost  bounds  of  the  land  now  in  the  tenure  and 
occupation  of  Mr.  Adolph  Philipse,  and  from  the  said  red 
cedar  tree,  another  due  easterly  line  running  into  the  woods 
twenty  English  miles."  The  "  twenty  English  miles  "  extended 
to  the  boundary  between  the  colonies  of  New  York  and  Con- 
necticut as  established. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  1685,  a  patent  was  granted  to  Francis 
Rumbout,  Jacobus  Kipp  and  Stephanus  Van    Cortlandt    for 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  9 

"All  that  tract  of  land  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson 
river,  beginning  from  the  south  side  of  a  creek  called  the  Fish 
Kill,  and  by  the  Indians,  Mateawani,  thence  north  along  the 
river  500  rods  beyond  the  great  Wappink  Kill,  thence  into  the 
woods  four  hours  going,  sixteen  English  miles,  keeping  500  rods 
north  of  Wappinger's  creek.  Also  from  the  said  Fish  Kill  or 
the  creek  called  Mateawam,  along  said  Fish  Kill  into  the  vpoods 
at  the  foot  of  the  High  Hills  including  all  the  reed  or  low  lands 
at  the  south  side  of  said  creek,  with  an  easterly  line  four  hours 
going,  sixteen  English  miles,  thence  to  the  north  side  of  Wap- 
pinger's creek  as  aforesaid."  This  tract,  which  is  generally 
called  the  Rumbout  Patent,  was  originally  purchased  by  Fran- 
cis Rumbout,  Jacobus  Kipp  and  Guillian  Ver  Planck.  The  last 
agreed  to  sell  his  share  to  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  but  died 
before  making  the  transfer.  His  widow  and  executrix  married 
Jacobus  Kipp,  and  they  and  Francis  Rumbout  sold  one  third 
to  Van  Cortlandt  and  the  patent  was  granted  to  them  as  stated 
above. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  1697,  a  patent  was  granted  to  Henry 
Beekman  for  "All  that  tract  of  land  in  Dutchess  County, 
beginning  at  the  north  side  of  the  Highlands,  at  the  east  of  the 
lands  of  Col.  Van  Cortlandt  and  Company,'  so  far  as  the  line 
between  the  Province  of  New  York  and  the  colony  of  Con- 
necticut extends."  These  two  tracts  and  the  Manor  of  Cort- 
landt became  afterward  the  boundaries  on  the  north  and  south, 
of  what  is  now  Putnam  county.  It  is  not  strange  that  the 
range  of  lofty  mountains,  which  presented  no  attractions  for 
the  cultivator  of  the  soil,  should  have  remained  unpurchased 
while  there  were  fertile  lands  to  be  procured,  but  the  time  was 
soon  to  come  for  a  man  who  should  call  the  rugged  mountains 
his  own. 

'The  Rumbout  Patent. 


CHAPTER  II. 


ADOLPH   PHILIPSE  AND  HIS  PATENT. 

AS  stated  in  the  previous  chapter,  the  first  step  usnalJy  taken 
by  a  person  who  wished  to  procure  a  grant  of  land  from 
the  colonial  government,  was  to  obtain  from  the  governor  a 
license  to  purchase  the  desired  tract  from  the  native  occupants 
of  the  soil.  The  first  persons  who  thus  made  application  for 
the  land  now  embraced  in  Putnam  county  were  Lambert  Dor- 
landt  and  Jan  Sybrant  (Seberinge).  Of  these  two  men  we  have 
very  little  knowledge  except  that  they  were  among  the  emigrants 
who  came  from  Holland,  in  the  early  days  of  New  Amsterdam. 
From  the  New  York  Colonial  Records  it  appears  that  on  De- 
cember 2d,  1680,  Lambert  Dorlandt  had  a  tract  of  130  acres  on 
the  north  side  of  Staten  Island,  while  as  early  as  1669  Jan  Sy- 
brantse  was  indebted  one  bushel  of  wheat  for  quit  rent  for  his 
plantation  in  the  same  locality.  They  were  of  the  ordinary 
rank  of  Dutch  burghers,  who  held  no  official  station  and  whose 
names  would  have  long  since  ceased  to  be  in  remembrance,  ex- 
cept as  incidentally  mentioned  in  the  early  records.  These  men 
obtained  from  the  Indians  a  deed  for  a  tract  of  land  which  em- 
braced the  western  part  of  the  present  county  of  Putnam,  in 
1691,  having  first  obtained  the  license  of  the  governor  for  that 
purpose.     Of  this  license  the  following  is  a  copy: 

"By  the  Commander  in  Chiefe. 

"  Whereas  John  Rooloofe  Sybran  hath  Desired  ye  liberty  and 
Lycense  to  Purchase  of  the  Indian  Natives  A  Certain  tract  or 
parcell  of  Land  lying  and  being  on  Hudson  river  in  the  high 
lands  at  a  place  called  the  Butterberge  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river.  These  may  Certifie  that  the  said  John  Roeloflfe  Sybran 
hath  hereby  Liberty  and  Lycense  Granted  him,  to  purchase  the 
said  lands  before  menconed,  Provided  the  same  be  not  taken  up 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  11 

or  appropriated  by  any  other,  and  the  purchase  to  be  made  on 
or  before  the  Second  day  of  June  and  returned  into  the  Sectys 
office  in  order  for  obtaining  a  Patent  which  is  to  be  taken  out 
before  the  first  day  of  July  or  else  this  license  to  be  voyd  and 
of  none  effect.  For  which  this  Shall  be  your  warant.  Given 
under  my  hand  and  seal  att  flfort  James,  the  26  October  1687. 

"  Atho.  Brockholtz." 

"  Passed  ye  Secretarys  office 
John  Kwight  Secretary. 

"  Entered  June  15  1697." 

In  accordance  with  this  license,  Sybrant  and  his  partner,  Dor- 
landt,  obtained  the  following  Indian  deed. 

"  Know  All  Men  by  these  Presents  that  wee  Anguikenagg 
Raentagg  Wassawrawigh  Mannakahorint,  Moakenap,  Weawei- 
noww,  Awanganugh,  for  and  in  consideration  of  a  competent 
som  of  current  money,  of  this  Province  fo  us  in  hand  paid  by 
Lambard  Borland  and  Jean  Seabrant,  at  or  before  the  ensealing 
and  delivery  of  these  presents,  the -Receipt  whereof  we  and  each 
of  us  doeth  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  received,  and  to  be 
therewith  fully  satisfied  and  contented,  and  of  and  from  ye  same 
and  every  part  and  Parcell  thereof  doth  hereby  fully  freely  and 
absolutely  acquit,  exonerate  and  discharge  the  said  Lambard 
Dorlandt  and  John  Seabrant  their  heirs  executors  and  Admin- 
istrators and  every  of  them,  firmly  by  these  presents.  Doth 
grant  and  sell  unto  the  said  Lambard  Dorlandt  and  John  Sea- 
brant their  heirs  and  assigns,  all  that  Certain  Tract  or  Parcell 
of  Land  lying  and  being  in  ye  highlands  on  the  east  side  of 
Hlidson  river,  beginning  at  the  north  side  of  a  Certain  hill  called 
Anthonys  nose,  by  a  redd  Seader  marked  tree,  and  along  said 
river  northerly,  to  the  land  belonging  to  Stephanus  Van  Cort- 
landt  and  the  heirs  of  Francis  Rombout  and  Guillian  Ver 
Planck  and  eastwards  in  the  woods  as  farr  along  the  said  lands 
of  Steph.  Cortlandt  and  Co.  aforesaid  to  a  marked  tree;  together 
with  Pollepels  Island,  and  all  ye  woods,  underwoods,  ti-ees, 
timber,  meadows,  marshes,  lowlands,  rivers,  rivolets,  swamps, 
thereto  belonging  or  in  any  ways  appertaining.  To  Have  and  to 
Hold  unto  the  said  Lambard  Dorlandt  and  Jno.  Seabrant,  their 
heirs  and  assigns  for  ever.  To  the  only  proper  use  benefit  and 
behoofe  to  them  the  said  Lambard  Dorlandt  and  Jno.  Seabrant, 
their  heirs  and  assigns  forever.     Witness  our  hands  and  seals 


12  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

att  New  York  this  ISth,  <iay  of  July,  in  the  3d  year  of  their 
Majesties  Keigne  and  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1691. 
Signed  sealed  and  delivered    The  mark  of  X  Anguikenagg. 

in  the  presence  of  The  mark  of  X  Raentagg. 

S.  Van  Cortlandt.  The  mark  of  X  Wassawrawigh. 

JSTicHO.  Reynells.  The  mark  of  X  Mannakahorint. 

The  mark  X  of  Clowes.       The  mark  of  X  Moakenap. 

the  Indian  Interpreter  The  mark  of  X  Weaweinoww. 

and  witness  to  these  The  mark  of  X  Awanganugh. 

presents. 

"Memorandum,  that  the  payment  and  satisfaction  for  the 
above  land  is  made  in  my  presence  to  their  full  content.  Wit- 
ness my  hand  the  15th  day  of  July  1691,  in  New  Yorke. 

"  S.  Van  Cortlandt." 

The  purchasers  of  this  tract,  Dorlandt  and  Sybrant,  did  not 
obtain  a  patent  for  the  land  from  the  governor  but  transferred 
and  sold  all  their  right  to  the  premises  to  Adolph  Philipse,  a 
wealthy  merchant  of  New  York,  in  1697,  as  will  appear  by  the 
following: 

DEED   TO   ADOLPH   PHILIPSE. 

"This  Indenture  made  the  16th  day  of  June  Anno  Domini 
1697  in  the  ninth  year  of  the  Reigne  of  our  Sovereign  Lord 
William  the  third  by  the  Grace  of  God  King  of  England  Scot- 
land France  and  Ireland  Defender  of  the  faith  and  Between 
Lambert  Dorlandt  and  Jan  Seabrandt  of  the  one  party,  and 
Adolph  Philipse  of  the  City  of  New  York  merchant,  of  the 
other  party,  Witnesseth,  that  whereas  Jan  Sybrean  did  obtain 
lycense  from  Anthony  Brockholls  Esq.  Commander  then  in 
Chief e  of  this  Province,  for  the  purchasing  vacant  lands  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Hudson  river,  at  the  Highlands,  by  virtue  of 
which  lycense  he  the  said  Jan  Sj^bran,  together  with  the  said 
Lambert  Dorlandt  his  partner,  did  purchase  from  the  native  In- 
dian Proprietors  all  that  vacant  and  unimproved  land  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Hudson  river  called  the  Highlands,  from  the 
north  side  of  the  hill  called  Antonios  Nose  to  the  land  of  Col. 
Stephen  Cortlandt  and  Company,  with  PoUopels  island,  and 
backwards  into  the  woods  so  farr  as  the  land  of  Col.  Cortlandt 
and  Company  extendeth,  and  have  paid  and  satisfied  for  the 
same,  but  have  not  yet  obtained  any  Patent  for  the  same.    Now 


Fac-similE,  much  reducEd  in  size,  ai  deed  hy  Wapplngsr  Indians  to 
Dnrland  and  SealiTant,  July  ISth  1B31, 


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ARTOTVPE,    E.    BlERSTfcDT, 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  13 

the  said  Jan  Sybran  and  Lambert  Dorlandt  for  a  valuable  con- 
sideration to  them  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  Adolph  Philipse,  the 
receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged  and  themselves  there- 
with to  be  fully  contented  and  paid:  have  granted  bargained 
and  sold,  and  by  these  presents,  do  grant  bargain  and  sell  unto 
the  said  Adolph  Philipse  all  the  said  tract  of  land  Island  and 
premises  together  with  all  their  right  title  and  interest  property, 
claime  and  demand,  thereunto,  or  to  any  part  or  parcel  of  the 
said  tract,  of  land.  Island  and  premises.  To  have  and  to  hold 
the  said  tract  of  land.  Island  and  premises  limited  and  bounded 
as  aforesaid,  unto  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  his  heirs  and  as- 
signs, to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use  benefit  and  behoof  of  him 
the  said  Adolph  Philipse  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  And 
for  the  further  confirmation  and  assurance  of  the  said  tract  of 
land.  Island  and  premises  they  do  deliver,  up  unto  the  said 
Adolph  Philipse  the  said  lycense  and  deed  of  sale  from  the  In- 
dians for  the  said  tract  of  land  Island  and  premises,  at  the  time 
of  ensealing  and  delivery  of  these  presents,  and  do  likewise 
testify  their  consent  and  desire  by  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of 
these  presents  that  a  Patent  be  granted  iinder  the  seal  of  the 
Province  for  the  said  tract  of  land.  Island  and  premises  to  hold 
to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  In 
witness  whereof  the  partyes  to  these  presents  their  hands  and 
seals  have  interchangably  sett,  the  day  and  year  first  above 
written. 


"Sealed  and  d.  d.  in  Jan  Sebeeinge, 

ye  presence  of  us  Lambert  Dorlandt." 

Tho.  Young, 
David  Jamison. 

In  this  way  began  the  ownership  of  the  famous  family  whose 
name  and  deeds  form  so  important  a  portion  of  the  annals  of 
the  county  and  State.  Adolph  Philipse  having  thus  acquired 
the  title  from  the  original  owners,  proceeded  at  once  to  take 
the  necessary  steps  for  obtaining  a  patent  for  his  lands,  and 
presented  in  due  form  the  following  petition  to  Benjamin 
Fletcher,  who  was  then  governor  of  the  province  of  New  York. 

"To  His  Excellency  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Captain  G-enerall, 
and  Governor  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  JSTew  York. 

"The  humble  petition  of  Mr.  Adolph  Philipse  Sheweth, 
That  for  a  valuable  consideration,  your  Excellency's  petitioner 


14  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

has  purchased  from  Jan  Sybrante  and  Lambert  Dorlandt,  a  cer- 
tain tract  of  vacant  land  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson  river,  in 
Dutchess  County,  beginning  at  a  marked  cedar  on  the  north 
side  of  that  Hill  called  Anthony's  Nose,  and  stretching  along 
said  river  upward  to  the  land  of  Col.  Cortlandt  and  Company, 
and  stretching  backvi^ards  from  the  said  river  into  the  woods  as 
farr  as  the  land  of  Col.  Cortlandt  and  Company  aforesaid,  in- 
cluding Pollepells  island,  which  land  became  theirs  by  a  ly- 
cense  and  deed  but  was  never  yet  patented.  Your  Excellency's 
petitioner  being  desirous  to  make  some  improvements  thereon, 
and  especially  the  backward  parts  from  the  mountains,  there- 
fore hereby  prays  your  Excellency  to  grant  him  a  Patent  for 
the  same  and  that  the  bounds  *  *  may  be  the  dividing  line 
between  *  *  *  under  such  moderate  quit  rent  *  *  *  *, 
and  your  Excellency's  Petitioner  shall  as  in  duty  bound  ever 
pray. 


In  accordance  with  this  petition  Gov.  Fletcher  granted  the 
following: 

PATENT  TO  ADOLPH  PHILIPSE. 

"William  the  Third  by  the  Grace  of  God  King  of  Eng- 
land Scotland  France  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  faith  &c. 
To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come  sendeth  Greeting 
Whereas  our  Loving  Subject  Adolph  Philips  of  our  City  of 
New  Yorke  Merchant  hath  by  his  peticon  presented  unto  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  Benjamin  Fletcher  our  Captain  General 
and  Governor  in  Chiefe  of  our  Province  of  New  Yorke  and  Ter- 
ritoryes  Depending  thereon  in  America  &c.  prayed  our  grant 
and  confirmacon  of  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  our  Dutchess 
county,  scituate  lyeing  and  being  in  the  Highlands  on  the  East 
side  of  Hudson's  River  beginning  at  a  certain  Red  Cedar  Tree 
marked  on  the  North  side  of  the  Hill  commonly  called  An- 
thonys Nose,  which  is  Likewise  the  North  Bounds  of  Collonell 
Stevanus  Cortlandts  land  or  his  Manour  of  Cortlandt,  and  from 
thence  bounded  by  the  said  Hudson's  River  as  the  said  river 
runs  notherly  until  it  come  to  the  Creek  River  or  Run  of  Water 


KnnLPH  PHILTFSE-  "The  FatentBE"-  (ob,  1749.) 

Frnin  painting  In  paysEsslon  of 
Philips?-  G-nuverneur  fo.rnlly, 


ARTOTrPE,     E      eiERSTADT, 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  "  15 

commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Great  fishkill  to 
the  Northward  and  above  the  said  Highlands,  which  is  like- 
wise the  Southward  bounds  of  another  Tract  of  Land  belonging 
to  the  said  Coll  Stephanus  Cortlandt  and  Company,  and  so 
Easterly  along  the  said  Coll  Cortlandts  line  and  the  South 
bounds  of  Coll  Henry  Beeckman  until  it  comes  twenty  Miles, 
or  until  the  Division  or  Petition  Line  between  our  Colony  of 
Connecticutt  and  our  said  Province,  and  Easterly  by  the  said 
Division  Line,  being  bounded  Northerly  and  Southerly  by  East 
and  West  Lines  unto  the  said  Division  line  between  our  said 
Collony  of  Connecticutt  and  this  our  Province  aforesaid,  the 
whole  being  bounded  Westward  by  the  said  Hudson  River, 
Northward  by  the  land  of  Coll  Cortlandt  and  Company  and  the 
land  of  Coll  Beckman,  Eastward  by  the  Partition  line  between 
our  Colony  of  Connecticutt  and  this  our  Province,  and 
Southerly  by  the  Mannour  of  Courtlandt  to  the  land  of  the  said 
Coll  Cortlandt,  including  therein  a  certaine  Island  at  the  North 
side  of  the  said  Highlands  called  Pollepells  Island;  which  rea- 
sonable request  we  being  willing  to  Grant.  Know  Ybe  that  of 
our  special  Grace  Certain  Knowledge  and  meere  mooon  We 
have  given  granted  ratifyed  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  Pres- 
ents Do  for  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  Give  Grant  Ratify  and 
Confirme  unto  the  said  Adolph  Philips,  all  the  aforerecited 
Certaine  Tract  of  Land  and  Island  within  the  Limits  and  bounds 
aforesaid,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  Woods  underwoods 
Trees  Timber  Hills  Mountains  Valleys  Rocks  Quarrys  Marshes 
Swamps  Rivers  Runs  Rivoletts  Waters  Watercourses  Pools 
Ponds  Lakes  Fountains  Streams  Meadows  Fresh  and  Salt, 
Mines  Mineralls  (Silver  and  Gold  Mines  excepted)  fishing  fowl- 
ing hunting  and  hawking  and  all  other  Royaltyes  Rights  Mem- 
bers Benefites  Profites  advantages  Commodityes  Privileges 
Hereditaments  and  appurtenances  whatsoever,  unto  the  afore- 
recited certaine  Tract  of  Land  and  Island  within  the  limites  and 
bounds  aforesaid  together  with  all  and  singular  the  Woods  un- 
derwoods Trees  Timber  Hills  Mouniains  Valleys  Rocks  Quarrys 
Marshes  Swamps  Rivers  Runs  Rivoletts  Waters  Water  Courses 
Pools  Ponds  Lakes  Fountains  Streams  Meadows  Fresh  and  Salt, 
Mines  Mineralls  (Silver  and  Gold  Mines  excepted)  fishing  fowling 
hunting  and  hawking  and  all  other  Royaltyes  Rights  Members 
Benefites  Profites  Advantages  Commodityes  Privileges  Heredi- 
taments and  appurtenances  whatsoever  unto  the  aforerecited 


16  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM  ^COUNTY. 

Certaine  Tract  of  Land  and  Island  within  the  Limites  and 
bounds  aforesaid  belonging  or  in  any  wayes  appertaining  nnto 
the  said  Adolph  Philips  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  To  be 
holden  of  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  in  Free  and  Common 
Soccage  as  of  our  Mannour  of  East  Greenwich  in  our  County 
of  Kent  within  our  Realme  of  England  Yielding  rendering  and 
paying  therefore  yearly  and  every  Year  unto  us  our  Heirs  and 
Successors  forever  at  our  City  of  New  Yorke  on  the  Feast  day 
of  the  Annunciation  of  our  blessed  Virgin  Mary  the  yearly 
rent  of  twenty  shillings  currant  money  of  our  said  province  in 
Lieu  and  8tead'[of  all  other  Rents  Services  Dues  Diitys  and 
Demands  whatsoever  for  the  said  Tract  of  land  Island  and 
Premises. 

"  In  Testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  the  Great  Seal  of  our 
Province  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  Witness  our  Trusty  and  well 
beloved  Benjamin  Fletcher  our  Captaine  Generall  and  Govern- 
our  in  Chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York  and  Territoryes  De- 
pending thereon  in  America  and  Vice  Admirall  of  the  same  our 
Lieut:  and  Commander  in  Chiefe  of  the  Militia  and  of  all  the 
forces  by  sea  and  land  within  our  Colony  of  Connecfcicutt  and 
of  all  the  forces  and  places  of  Strength  within  the  same  in 
Council  at  our  fort  in  New  Yorke  the  Seventeenth  Day  of  June 
in  the  Ninth  Year  of  our  Reigne  Annoq  Dm  1697.  Ben. 
Fletcher  by  his  Excellencys  Command 

"  David  Jamison, 
D'  Secr'y." 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  Indian  deed  to  Dorlandt  and  Sybrant 
and  the  subsequent  transfers  only  conveyed  the  land  extending 
back  from  the  Hudson  River  to  a  marked  tree  on  the  line  of  the 
Rumbout  Patent  or  "  Land  of  Cortlandt  and  Company,"  while 
the  patent  of  Gov.  Fletcher  conveyed  all  the  land  between  the 
river  and  the  boundary  line  between  New  York  and  Connecti- 
cut. To  confirm  his  title  ro  this  additional  tract  Adolph  Philipse 
obtained  a  new  Indian  deed,  in  1702,  which  .embraced  the  fol- 
lowing extent: 

INDIAN   RELEASE  TO   ADOLPH   PHILIPSE. 

"Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  wee  Sipoworak,  Sow- 
wess,  Gachquaran,  Cowenhahum,  Hingham,  Meconop,  Cam- 
atacht,    Machgowwas,    Wassawawogh,    Perapowwes,    Kochhe- 


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T'^^'ATf^^j 

GENERAL  HISTORY.  17 

nond,  Wapatough,  Whannawhan,  Werachtacus,  Petawachpiefc 
and  Metapscht,  native  Indians  and  Proprietors  of  sundry  Tracts 
of  land  in  Dutchess  County  within  the  Province  of  New  York, 
in  America.  For  and  in  consideration  of  a  competent  sum  of 
good  and  lawfull  money  of  the  said  Province  of  New  York  to 
us  in  hand  paid  by  Adolph  Philipse  of  the  City  of  New  York, 
merchant  at  or  before  the  sealing  and  delivery  hereof,  have 
granted  bargained,  sold,  remised,  released  and  for  ever  quit- 
claimed unto  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  in  his  full  and  peaceable 
possession,  and  seizen  being,  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  for 
ever.  All  such  right,  estate,  title,  interest  property  claim  or 
demand,  as  we  the  said  Indians,  now  have,  had,  or  ought  to 
have,  in  or  to  all  that  our  certain  tract  of  land  in  Dutchess 
County,  in  the  Province  of  New  York  aforesaid,  situate  lying 
and  being  in  the  high  lands  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson 
river,  beginning  at  a  Certain  Red  Cedar  tree  marked,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  hill  commonly  called  Anthony's  nose,  which 
is  likewise  the  north  bounds  of  Col.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandts 
land,  or  his  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  from  thence  bounded  by 
the  said  Hudson  river  as  the  said  river  runs,  northerly  until  it 
comes  to  the  Creeke  river  or  run  of  water  commonly  called  and 
known  by  the  name  of  the  great  fish  kill,  to  the  northward  and 
above  the  said  high  lands,  which  is  likewise  the  southward 
bounds  of  another  Tract  of  Land  belonging  unto  the  said  Col. 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  and  Company,  and  soe  easterly  along 
the  said  Coll.  Cortlandts  line  and  the  south  bounds  of  Coll. 
Henry  Beekman  until  it  comes  twenty  miles  or  unto  the  Division 
or  partition  line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the 
said  Province  of  New  York,  and  easterly  by  the  said  Division 
line:  Being  bounded  Northerly  and  southerly  by  east  and  west 
lines,  unto  the  said  Division  line.  The  whole  being  bounded 
westward  by  Hudsons  river,  northward  by  the  lands  of  Coll. 
Cortlandt  and  Company  and  the  land  of  Coll.  Beekman,  and 
eastward  by  the  partition  line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecti- 
cut and  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  southerly  by  the  Manor 
of  Cortlandt.  Including  therein  a  certain  Island  at  the  north 
side  of  the  high  lands  called  Pollepels  Island.  With  all  the 
swamps,  woods,  underwoods,  marshes,  streams,  mines,  minerals, 
hawking,  hunting,  fishing  and  fowling  and  all  other  appurte- 
nances to  the  said  tract  belonging.  To  Have  and  To  Hold,  to 
the  aforesaid  Adolph  Philipse  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  so 


18  HISTOBY   <)i-  PUTNAM   COUNT r. 

that  neither  wee  the  said  Indian  natives  and  Proprietors,  nor 
our  heirs,  nor  any  other  person  for  us,  may  hereafter  have  any 
claim  challenge  or  demand,  to  the  premises  or  any  part  thereof. 
In  witness  whereof  we  the  said  Natives  Indian  Proprietors  have 
hereunto  put  our  hands  and  seals  in  New  York  the  thirteenth 
day  of  August  1702,  Annoque  Regni  Annae  nunc  Angl  &c. 
primo. 

"  The  mark  of  X  Gachquaean, 
mark  The  mark  of  X  Cowenhahum, 

The  X  of  The  mark  of  X  Hengham, 

Wecopop.  The  mark  of  X  Shawiss, 

The  mark  of  X  Sipowekack, 
The  mark  of  X  Cramatachet, 
The  mark  of  X  Wassawawogh. 

"Sealed  and  delivered  by  the  within  named  Gaohquaran, 
Cowenhahum,  Hengham,  Shawiss,  Siporewak,  Cramatacht, 
Wassawawogh  and  Wecopap,  in  the  presence  of 

"  J.  Van  Cortlandt, 
Will.  Sharpass, 
Philip  Van  Cortlandt, 
Alandiana  Bayard, 
The  mark  X  of  Mr.  Haupe  ye  Indian, 
The  mark  X  of  Amehevend, 
The  mark  X  of  Anackhean." 

Such  was  the  completion  of  the  title  of  Adolph  Philipse. 
The  originals  of  the  Indian  deed  to  Sybrant  and  Dorlandt,  their 
transfer  to  Adolph  Philipse,  the  license  of  Grov.  Brockholtz, 
and  the  second  Indian  deed  of  1702,  are  among  the  papers  of 
the  Philipse  family,  while  the  petition  and  the  patent  are 
among  the  records  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  State. 

Adolph  Philipse,  the  patentee,  continued  in  the  full  posses- 
sion of  his  Highland  Patent  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1749.  He  died  intestate, 
and  as  he  never  married,  his  estate  descended  to  his  nephew, 
Frederick  Philipse,  as  heirat-law  and  next  of  kin.  The  new 
owner  did  not  long  enjoy  his  possession,  but  died  in  1751.  His 
will,  which  bears  the  date  of  June  6th,  1751,  is  recorded  in  the 
surrogate's  office  of  the  city  of  New  York.  As  the  testator 
left  a  large  estate  not  only  in  New  York,  but  in  Westchester 
county,  as   well  as  the  Highland  Patent  inherited  from    his 


ac-slmllE,  reduoBd  In  sIzb,  of  deed  ty  Wapplnger  Indians  to 
ildalpli  PhlllpsE,  ilugust  13tii  1ZD2, 


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ABTOTITE,    e,    BIERSTdDT,    N      Y 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  19 

uncle,  his  will  is  written  at  great  lengtti,  but  the  only  portion  of 
it  which  relates  to  his  possessions  in  this  county  is  the  follow- 
ing item: 

"  Whereas,  there  is  a  large  tract  of  land  situate  and  being  on 
the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  River,  which  by  letters  patent 
bearing  date  on  or  about  the  seventeenth  day  of  June,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-seven, 
was  granted  unto  my  said  uncle  Adolph  Philipse  and  his  heirs, 
butted  and  bounded  as  therein  mentioned,  reference  being 
thereunto  had  which  said  tract  of  land  is  commonly  called  and 
known  by  the  name  of  "Mr.  Philipse' s  Upper  or  Highland 
Patent"  and  which  said  tract  of  land  and  the  estate  right  and 
title  in  and  to  the  same  is  now  belonging  to  and  vested  in  me 
by  his  death  as  heir-at-law  to  him.  Wherefore,  I  do  devise  and 
bequeath  that  said  large  tract  of  land  with  the  appurtenances 
in  manner  following: — To  my  son  Philip  Philipse  and  the  heirs 
of  his  body  forever,  one  quarter  part  thereof ;  to  my  said 
daughter  Susannah,  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  Beverly  Robinson  and 
to  the  heirs  of  her  body  forever,  one  other  quarter  part  thereof; 
unto  my  second  daughter  Mary  Philipse  and  to  the  heirs  of  her 
body  forever,  one  other  quarter  part  thereof  ;  and  the  other 
quarter  part  thereof  unto  my  youngest  daughter  Margrett 
Philipse  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  body  forever;  and  if  my  said 
son  Philip  Philipse,  or  any  or  either  of  my  said  daughters  shall 
happen  to  die  without  issue,  then  and  in  sach  case  the  quarter 
part  or  parts  hereby  devised  to  him,  her,  or  those  of  them  so 
dying  without  issue,  I  will,  devise  and  bequeath  unto  the  sur- 
vivors of  them,  equally  to  be  divided  between  them  to  the 
respective  heirs  of  their  bodies  forever.  And  if  three  of  them 
should  happen  to  die  without  issue,  then  I  will,  devise  and 
bequeath  the  three  quarter  parts  of  those  so  dying  without  issue 
unto  the  survivor  of  them,  and  to  the  heirs  of  the  body  of  such 
survivor  forever." 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   PHILIPSE   FAMILY. 

THE  family  of  which  Adolph  Philipse,  the  patentee,  was  so 
illustrious  a  member,  and  which  has  from  the  earliest 
time  to  the  present  day  been  so  closely  identified  with  the  his- 
tory of  this  region  of  country,  most  justly  merits  an  extended 
notice  as  the  name  is  an  inseparable  portion  of  the  annals  of  the 
county  and  State  as  well. 

The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Vrederick  Flypsen,  who  was, 
according  to  one  account,  a  native  of  Bolswaert,  in  Friesland, 
where  he  was  born  in  1626.  There  is  abundant  evidence  that 
his  ancestry  were  among  the  nobility  of  Bohemia,  but  a  claim 
to  a  truer  nobility  than  kings  can  bestow  is  found  in  the  fact 
that  they  were  among  the  friends  and  supporters  of  the  Re- 
formed Religion  and  adherents  of  the  renowned  John  Huss  and 
Jerome  of  Prague,  and  shared  in  enduring  the  persecutions 
which  have  made  their  names  illustrious  as  champions  of  relig- 
ious freedom. 

For  their  adherence  to  the  cause  of  Reformation,  the  family 
were  compelled  to  flee  from  Bohemia,  and  they  found  in  Hol- 
land, as  did  thousands  after  them,  a  home  of  peace  and  secur- 
ity. Compelled  to  leave  their  property,  the  family  found  them- 
selves in  a  strange  land  and  in  the  possession  of  very  limited 
means.  A  manuscript  statement  written  by  John  Jay,  and 
worthy  of  the  respect  due  to  anything  emanating  from  the  hon- 
ored chief  justice,  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  the 
founder  of  this  family  was  born  in  Bohemia. 

"  The  first  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Frederick  Flypsen, 
and  he  was  a  native  of  Bohemia,  where  his  family  being  Protes- 
tants were  persecuted.  His  mother  becoming  a  widow  was  com- 
pelled to  quit  Bohemia  with  him  and  her  other  children.  She 
fled  to  Holland  with  what  little  property  she  could  save  from 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  21 

the  wreck  of  their  estate.  The  amount  of  this  little  not  permit- 
ting her  to  provide  better  for  Frederick  she  bound  him  to  a  car- 
penter, and  he  became  an  excellent  workman.  He  emigrated  to 
New  York,  which  was  under  the  Dutch,  but  in  what  year  I  am 
not  informed." 

A  tradition  of  the  family  is  that  he  came  with  Peter  Stuyve- 
sant,  and  if  this  be  the  case,  he  must  have  arrived  in  1647.  It 
is  certain  that  he  was  in  New  Netherlandin  1653,  as  at  that  time 
he  was  appointed  appraiser  of  certain  property  in  New  Amster- 
dam. The  surest  proof  of  the  nobility  of  his  ancestry  is  the 
fact  that  although  he  came  to  this  country  without  any  of  the 
advantages  of  fortiine,  he  was  recognized  as  the  social  equal  of 
the  highest  dignitaries  of  the  colony,  and  the  favor  and  as- 
sistance which  he  received  from  them,  were  doubtless  in  great 
part  the  means  which  in  the  end  made  him  the  richest  man  of  his 
day.  His  first  wife,  Margaret,  was  the  daughter  of  Adoph 
Hardenbrook,  who  came  from  Holland  and  settled  at  Bergen. 
She  married  Rudolphus  De  Vries,  a  merchant  of  New  Amster- 
dam, in  1659.  They  had  one  daughter,  who  was  baptized  by  th6 
name  of  Maria,  October  3d,  1660.  Rudolphus  De  Vries  died  in 
1661,  lea,ving  a  considerable  estate,  which  descended  to  his 
widow  and  child.  In  October,  1662,  bans  of  marriage  between 
Frederick  Philipse  and  Margaret  Hardenbrook  were  published, 
and  the  Court  of  Orphan  Masters,  of  New  Amsterdam,  sum- 
moned her  before  them  to  render  an  inventory  of  her  child's 
paternal  inheritance.  This  she  declared  her  inability  to  do, 
probably  on  account  of  the  commercial  quality  of  the  assets, 
and  the  court  received  the  ante-nuptial  contract  between  her 
and  Frederick  Philipse,  in  lieu  of  inventory,  in  consideration 
of  its  containing  an  agreement  on  his  part  to  adopt  the  child  of 
Rudolphus  De  Vries,  and  bequeath  unto  her  half  of  his  estate, 
unless  he  had  children  of  his  own,  in  which  case  he  would  give 
her  an  equal  share  with  them.  The  Dutch  law  permitted  adop- 
tion, and  also  the  limitation  of  successory  estates  by  marriage 
contracts,  and  the  child  thus  became  the  child  of  Frederick 
Philipse  upon  the  occasion  of  his  marriage,  which  took  place, 
as  recorded,  in  December  following.  It  has  been  stated  that  she 
was  baptized  under  the  name  of  Maria.  That  is  supposed  by 
some  to  have  been  an  error  on  the  part  of  the  registrar.  It  is 
possible  that  her  name  may  have  been  changed  at  the  time  of 
her  adoption:  however  this  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  she  ever 


22  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

after  bore  the  name  of  Eva  Philipse  and  is  thus  named  in  her 
adopted  father's  will. 

By  this  marriage  he  became  entitled  to  a  community  of  prop- 
erty with  his  wife,  but  she  did  not  relinquish  the  sole  manage- 
ment of  her  estate,  for  which  she  seemed  well  fitted  by  nature. 
On  the  contrary  she  continued  to  conduct  the  business  of  her 
late  husband,  went  repeatedly  to  Holland  in  her  own  ships,  as 
supercargo,  and  bought  goods  and  traded  on  her  own  account. 
By  her  fortune,  enterprise  and  thrift,  as  well  as  his  own  exer- 
tions, Frederick  Philipse  soon  became  one  of  the  richest  men  in 
the  colony.     His  property  was  valued,  in  1674,  by  commission- 
ers appointed  by  the  governor,  at  80,000  guilders,  a  sum  which 
was  large  for  those  days,  but  small  in  comparison  to  the  wealth 
he  afterward  accumulated.     After  the  death  of  his  wife,'  which 
occurred  about  1690,  his  business  enterprises  became  still  more 
extensive.     He  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  traders  with  the 
Five  Indian  Nations  at  Albany,  sent  ships  to  both  the  East  and 
West  Indies,  imported  slaves  from  Africa,  and  it  is  intimated  by 
his  enemies  that  he  increased  his  gains  by  dealings  with  the 
pirates  at  Madagascar.  It  was  generally  believed  that  his  profits 
were  much  enhanced  by  his  connection  with  the  government, 
and  his  intimacy  with  the  governors,  by  which  he  obtained  ad- 
vantages not  granted  to  others.     In  official  and  political  affairs, 
he  was  not  less  jjrominent  than  in  his  commercial  transactions. 
He  was  a  member  of  Council  under  all  the  governors,  from  Ed- 
mund Andros  to  the  Earl  of  Bellomont,  embracing  a  X)eriod  of 
twenty  years,  with  the  brief  exception  of  the  rule  of   Jacob 
Leisler,  whose  authority  he  resisted  for  a  while,  but  whom  he 
afterwards  recognized  as  the  governor  de  facto.  He  was  in  high 
favor  with  Governor  Sloughter  and  his    successor   Governor 
Fletcher,  through  whose  favor  both  he  and  his  son,  Adolph,  ob- 
tained large  grants  of  land,  the  former  gaining  a  large  extent  of 
territory  in  Westchester  county,  embracing  the  lands  between 
the  Hudson  and  the  Bronx  River,  and  extending  from   the 
Croton  River  to  Kings  Bridge,  and  afterwards  established  as  the 
Manor  of  Philipsburg:    and  the  latter  obtaining  the  Highland 
Patent  which  has  been  described  in  preceding  pages. 

In  1698,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Council,  giving  as  a  reason 
his  advanced  age,  but  apparently  to  escape  removal,  which 
seemed  probable  upon  the  accession  of  the  Earl  of  Bellomont  to 
the  position  of  governor. 


GENEEAL  HISTORY.  23 

In  1692,  Mr.  Philipse  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Oloff 
Stevense  Van  Cortlandt,  and  widow  of  John  Dervall.  There 
were  no  children  from  this  second  marriage.  The  notice  of  his 
death  is  thus  recorded,  by  his  widow,  in  the  family  Bible. 

"  Anno  1702  the  6th  of  November,  Saturday  night  at  10  o'clock 
my  husband  Frederick  Philipse  died  and  lies  buried  in  the 
church  yard  in  the  Manor  named  Philipsbnrg." 

On  his  Manor  of  Philipsburg,  he  ruled  in  true  baronial  style. 
Two  manor  houses  stood  upon  the  estate,  one  at  the  "Upper 
Mills"  above  Tarry  town,  and  the  other,  now  a  venerated  relic 
of  the  past,  is  the  present  citj'-  hall  of  Yonkers.  Thus  passed 
away  a  man  who  was,  during  his  long  life,  one  of  the  most 
prominent  personages  of  his  time,  and  his  earthly  remains  rest 
in  the  well  known  Sleepy  Hollow  Cemetery,  at  Tarrytown,  hal- 
lowed as  the  last  resting  place  of  Washington  Irving.  Fred- 
erick Philipse  had  five  children:  Eva,  his  adopted  daughter, 
who  married  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  whose  descendants 
are  known  as  the  Van  Cortlandts  of  Yonkers;  Philip,  born  in 
1663  and  baptized  March  18th,  1664;  Adolph,  baptized  Novem- 
ber 15th,  1665:  Anatje  (Anna),  baptized  November  27th,  1667, 
married  Philip  French';  and  one  child,  Rumbout,  baptized  Jan- 
uary 9th  1670,  died  in  early  infancy. 

Philip  Philipse,  the  eldest  son,  was  a  youth  of  delicate  con- 
stitution. His  father  sent  him  to  Barbadoes,  in  the  West  Indies, 
to  look  after  a  plantation  and  while  there  he  married,  in  1697, 
Maria  Sparks,  daughter  of  the  governor  of  the  island.  His  wife 
died  soon  after  the  birth  of  their  only  child,  Frederick,  Oct. 
17th,  1698.     Her  husband  did  not  long  survive  but  died  in  1700. 

WILL   OP   FREDERICK   PHILIPSE. 

"  I  Frederick  Flipse  of  ye  City  of  New  York  Merchant,  be- 
ing in  health  of  body  and  of  sound  mind  and  perfect  memory, 
thanks  be  to  Almighty  God,  doe  make  and  declare  this  to  be 
my  last  Will  and  Testament,  Revoking  and  annulling  all  former 
Wills  and  Testaments  by  me  made  either  by  word  or  writing. 

"  First  I  surrender  and  bequeath  my  soul  into  ye  merciful 
hands  of  ye  Infinite  Q-od  who  gave  it,  and  I  order  my  body  to 

'  Philip  French  came  from  Kelsale,  Suffolk,  England.  He  died  in  1707,  leaving 
a  son  Philip  (who  married  Susannah  Brockholst),  and  four  daughters:  Anne, 
wife  of  David  Van  Home;  Susannah,  wife  of  Hon.  WUliam  Livingston;  Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  David  Clarkson;  and  Mary,  wife  of  Hon.  Wm.  Browne,  "  of  Bev- 
erly, New  England." 


24  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

be  interred  at  my  Burrial  place  at  ye  Upper  Mills',  with  such 
charges  and  in  such  decent  manner  as  to  my  Executors  herein- 
after named  shall  seem  convenient.  And  as  touching  ye  dispo- 
sition of  my  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments  goods  chattels 
and  credits  I  will,  devise  and  dispose  of  them  as  follows:  1  give, 
grant,  devise  and  bequeath  to  Frederick  Flipse  my  grandson 
born  in  Barbadoes,  ye  only  son  of  Philip  my  eldest  son  late  de- 
ceased, ye  following  houses  and  Tenements  in  ye  City  of  New 
York  (to  wit)  That  dwelling  house  with  ye  appurtenances  I  now 
live  in,  with  ye  house  called  ye  Bolting  house,  and  ye  ground 
adjoining  soe  farr  as  ye  Lean  to  stands,  and  soe  farr  as  ye 
Gavell  end  of  ye  old  Kitchen,  and  ye  fence  of  ye  widow  De 
Kay,  and  also  a  Warehouse  called  ye  middle  warehouse  and  ye 
grounds  behind  it  ye  bredth  of  ye  same  Warehouse  towards  ye 
New  Street  and  to  extend  in  length  to  ye  Broad  Street,  ye  same 
ground  lying  there  in  bredth  between  my  Cooper's  house  and 
ground  of  Isaac  Kipp:  and  all  those  two  dwelling  houses  and 
lotts  of  ground  with  their  appurtenances  lying  and  being  near 
ye  old  Stadt-house  at  present  in  ye  tenure  of  Mr.  Carree  and 
Mr.  Droylett,  and  also  these  Lands  tenements  and  hereditaments 
in  the  County  of  Westchester  (to  wit)  That  Island  Papiriniman 
with  ye  meadows  and  Bridge'  and  ye  Toll  and  all  ye  right  and 
Title  I  have  to  ye  same.  And  all  those  lands  and  meadows 
called  ye  Jonckers  plantation  together  with  all  and  singular 
houses.  Mills,  mill  dams,  orchards  gardens  Negroes,  Negroes 
children,  cattle  horses  swine  and  whatever  else  belongs  to  me 
within  that  Patent  as  well  what  is  tenanted  as  nott:  as  also  a 
piece  of  land  in  the  mile  square  by  me  late  bought  of  Michael 
Hawden.  And  all  that  Tract  or  piece  of  Land  extending  from 
the  Jonckers  patent  or  plantation  to  a  creek  called  by  ye  Indians 
Wys  qua  qua,  and  by  the  Christians  William  Portuguese's 
creek  and  thence  according  to  ye  course  of  that  creek  into  ye 
woods  to  ye  head  of  ye  same,  and  from  thence  on  an  east  line 
to  the  creek  called  the  Jonckers  creek,  and  thence  to  continue 
on  the  samt!  course  to  Bronks  river  as  farr  as  my  right  extends, 
as  also  all  that  ye  equall  half  of  my  meadow  lyeing  at  Tappan 
with  ye  rights  hereditaments  emoluments  and  appurtenances  to 
ye  same,  and  all  ye  other  estate  herein  before  given  and  devised 
belonging  or  in  any  way  appertaining.     To  have  and  to  hold  all 

'By  the  old  Dutch  Church  at  Tarrytown. 
'Now  King's  Bridge  on  Harlem  River. 


GiCNERAL   HISTORY.  25 

ye  real  Estate,  Tenements  and  hereditaments  with  ye  appurte- 
nances here  in  before  given  and  devised  to  ye  said  Frederick 
Flipse  my  grandson,  and  ye  heires  male  of  his  body  lawfully  to 
be  begotten,  and  for  lack  of  such  Issue  ye  Remainder  thereof 
to  ray  son  Adolphus  Flipse  and  ye  heires  male  of  his  body 
lawfully  to  be  begotten,  and  for  lack  of  such  Issue  to  ye  next 
right  heirs  of  me  ye  said  Frederick  Flipse,  ye  Grandfather  for 
ever  Item  I  give  and  devise  and  bq/^ueath  to  my  said  G-randson 
Frederick  Flipse  beside  ye  Negroes  at  ye  Jonckers  plantation 
herein  before  given  and  devised  to  him,  a  Negro  man  called 
Harry  with  his  wife  and  child,  a  Negro  man  called  Peter,  a 
Negro  man  called  Wan,  ye  boat  Joncker  with  her  furniture  ap- 
parell  and  appurtenances  and  ye  equal  half  of  all  ye  cattle 
horses  and  sheep  upon  and  belonging  to  ye  plantation  at  ye 
upper  Mills.  To  have  all  to  hold  all  ye  said  Negroes  and  all  ye 
said  personal  estate  to  him  his  heirs  executors  and  assigns  for- 
ever. 

"  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  said  grandson  his  executors 
and  Assigns  forever  an  equall  fourth  part  of  all  ye  shipps  ves- 
sels, plate,  goods,  merchandise,  debts  and  personal  estate  what- 
soever which  shall  belong  to  me  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  my 
debts  and  ye  particular  legacys  in  this  my  will  given  being  first 
satisfied  and  discharged.  Provided  always  and  I  doe  declare  it 
my  will  mind  and  true  meaning  that  I  give  ye  lands  extending 
from  ye  Jonckers  plantation  to  William  Portuguese  creek  and 
so  to  Bronks  river  to  my  said  grandson  with  this  restriction  and 
condition,  that  it  is  in  lew  of  a  Tract  of  Land  called  Cinque- 
singh  purchased  by  me  and  intended  to  be  given  to  his  father 
my  eldest  son,  soe  that  if  at  any  time  hereafter  ye  said  Fred- 
erick Flipse  my  Grandson  shall  claime  and  recover  this  tract  of 
land  called  Cinquesingh,  ihen  it  is  ray  will  that  the  tract  of  land 
extending  from  ye  Jonckers  plantation  to  William  Portuguese's 
creek,  shall  devolve  unto  and  be  vested  in  my  said  son  Adol- 
phus his  heires  and  assigns  forever. 

"And  I  give  devise  and  bequeath  unto  my  son  Adolphus 
Flipse  ye  following  houses  and  tenements  in  ye  City  of  New 
York  (to  witt)  That  house  and  ground  that  Isaac  Marquise  at 
present  lives  in  and  a  house  in  ye  Stone  street  next  Isaac  De 
Forrests  with  an  old  house  formerly  belonging  to  John  Rider 
soe  farr  as  to  ye  Lean  to,  and  ye  Gavell  end  of  ye  old  kitchen, 
in  length  to  ye  fence  of  ye  widow  De  Kay  and  in  breadth  to  ye 


26  HISTOKT    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

fence  of  Isaac  De  Forrest  or  so  farr  as  my  right  extends;  as  also 
a  house  and  lott  of  ground  over  against  ye  house  I  live  in, 
stretching  in  breadth  to  ye  house  of  Anneke  Grosens  and  in 
length  to  ye  house  of  Mr.  Anthony  Brockholes  and  also  a  house 
and  ground  lyeing  in  ye  broad  street  by  ye  house  of  Jacobus 
Kipp  with  a  ware  house  in  ye  New  Street,  and  the  ground  be- 
tween both  upon  a  straight  line  from  ye  South  corner  of  ye 
warehouse  to  ye  south  come];  of  that  house  (to  witt)  from  one 
street  to  the  other,  and  also  those  lands  tenants  and  heredita- 
ments in  ye  County  of  Westchester  (to  witt)  all  that  tract  of 
land  lyeing  at  ye  Upper  Mills,  beginning  at  a  creek  called  by 
ye  Indians  Wys  qua  qua  and  by  ye  Christians  William  Portu- 
guese creek  being  ye  bound  of  ye  land  given  hereby  to  my 
Grrandson,  and  soe  running  up  Hudsons  river  to  ye  creek  called 
Kightawan  or  Croton  River,  soe  along  that  river  or  creek  ac- 
cording to  the  Patent,  then  on  an  east  line  into  the  woods  as  far 
as  Bronks  river  thence  to  ye  head  of  that  river  and  along 
Bronks  river  according  to  its  course  to  ye  lands  herein  before 
devised  to  my  Grandson,  as  also  ye  moyety  or  equal  half  of  a 
sawmill  with  its  appurtenances  at  Mamaroneck  late  by  me  pur- 
chased of  Dr.  Selimus.  And  also  all  that  ye  one  equal  half  of 
ye  meadow  at  Tappan  by  me  purchased  of  Dr.  George  Lock- 
hart,  and  all  that  piece  of  meadow  oq  the  north  side  of  Tappan 
creek  containing  in  quantity  as  is  expressed  in  ye  Patent  for 
the  same.  To  the  said  Adolphus  my  son  and  the  heires  male  of 
his  body  lawfully  to  be  begotten,  and  for  lack  of  such  issue  to 
my  Grandson  Frederick  Flipse  and  the  heires  male  of  his  body 
lawfully  begotten,  and  for  lack  of  such  issue  to  the  next  right 
heires  of  me  ye  said  Frederick  the  father,  forever. 

"  Item  I  give  and  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  son  Adolphus 
Flipse  these  negroes  and  slaves  following  (to  witt)  ye  negro 
men  called  Symon,  Charles,  TowerhilL  Samson,  Claes,  Billy 
Mingo,  hendrick  Bahyme  and  Hector,  ye  negro  boy  Peter,  ye 
Indian  woman  called  Hannah  and  her  child,  ye  negro  woman 
Susan  ye  younger,  and  ye  negro  woman  Mary: 

' '  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  son  Adolphus  one  equal  half  of  my 
cattle  horses  and  sheep  belonging  to  ye  plantations  at  ye  upper 
mills,  a  large  boat  called  ye  Unity  with  her  furniture  late  by  mee 
bought  of  Jan  Desmaretz  and  an  equal  fourth  part  of  the  per- 
sonal estate  which  shall  belong  to  me  at  the  time  of  my  decease. 

"  I  do  give  and  devise  to  my  eldest  daughter  Eva  the  wife  of 


GENEEAL  HI8T0EY.  27 

Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  the  house  and  grounds  in  ye  City  of 
New  York  where  they  at  present  live,  as  also  a  lott  of  ground 
in  the  same  city  in  the  New  Street  to  the  southward  of  the  old 
ware  house,  as  it  lyes  at  present  inclosed  and  fenced,  and  an 
equal  fourth  part  of  personal  property.  To  have  and  to  hold 
the  said  houses  and  premises  during  her  natural  life,  and  after 
her  decease  to  ye  second  son  of  her  body  to  be  begotten,  and 
his  heires  and  assigns  for  ever,  but  for  lack  of  such  Issue  to 
her  son  Frederick  Cortlandt  his  heires  and  assigns. 

"  Item  I  give  to  my  daughter  Eva  a  certaine  Mortgage  of  Dr. 
Henricus  Selymus  upon  the  lands  of  John  Richbell  deceased, 
twenty  miles  into  ye  woods.  With  this  proviso,  not  to  extend 
Bronx  river  into  any  of  ye  lands  devised  to  my  son  or  grand- 
son. 

"I  give  to  my  daughter  Anatje  wife  of  Philip  French,  Ihat 
house  and  ground  in  the  City  of  New  York  where  they  at  pres- 
ent live,  as  also  ye  old  Warehouse  and  ground  thereunto  be- 
longing lying  in  ye  New  Street,  and  all  my  estate  of  lands  in 
ye  County  of  Berghen  in  East  Jersey  (to  witt)  a  house  and  lot 
in  ye  towne  of  Berghen  a  large  garden,  a  plantation  of  fifteen 
acres,  with  eight  morgen  or  about  sixteen  acres  of  meadow 
ground,  and  ye  right  and  privilege  in  the  undivided  woodlands 
of  two  farms  and  ye  plantation  and  all  those  my  lands  in  the 
County  of  Ulster  (to  witt)  a  piece  of  land  at  Mambachus  about 
two  hundred  and  ninety  acres,  and  a  piece  of  land  at  ye  Rom- 
bout  Creek  mortgaged  to  me  by  John  Ward  containing  about 
seven  hundred  acres,  and  after  my  wifes  decease  that  lot  of 
ground  in  the  City  of  New  York  extending  from  ye  Broadway 
to  ye  New  Street  lying  between  ye  ground  late  of  Robert  White 
deceased  and  William  the  Clockluyer  And  I  do  bequeath  that 
my  wife  Catharine  shall  have  during  her  natural  life  fifty  pounds 
current  money  per  annum,  and  that  five  and  twenty  pounds 
thereof  be  levyed  in.  nature  of  a  rent  charge  upon  my  estate  at 
ye  Jonckers,  and  the  other  twenty  five  upon  my  estate  at  the 
upper  mills,  and  that  she  shall  remaine  and  continue  to  dwell 
in  ye  house  I  now  live  in,  and  have  and  receive  the  money  I 
have  engaged  and  promised  her  according  to  our  agreement  be- 
fore and  upon  our  marriage,  preferable  to  all  legacies  whatso- 
ever. I  devise  to  my  said  wife  that  lot  in  the  City  of  New 
York  extending  from  ye  Broadway  to  ye  New  Street,  lying  be- 
between  ye  ground  late  of  Robert  White  deceased  and  William 


38  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  Clockluyer,  during  her  natural  life,  and  that  she  shall  have 
the  custody  tutition  and  Guardianship  of  my  grandson  Fred- 
erick until  he  comes  of  age,  who  I  devise  may  have  ye  best  edu- 
cation and  Learning  these  parts  of  ye  world  will  aflford  him,  not 
doubting  of  her  care  in  bringing  him  up  after  ye  best  manner 
possible  shee  can. 

"Lastly  I  appoint  my  son  Adolphus,  and  my  son  in  law  Ja- 
cobus Van  Cortlandt  executors  of  this  my  last  will  and  testa- 
ment, In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal 
this  26th,  day  of  October  1700. 

"Frederick  Flipse." 

Adolph  Philipse,  the  second  son  of  Frederick  Philipse,  died 
unmarried  and  intestate,  in  1749.  Like  his  father  he  was  not 
only  a  weathly  merchant,  but  held  high  official  position.  On 
the  rumor  that  the  French  were  about  to  attack  Albany,  he  was 
sent,  in  1691,  to  Connecticut  to  ask  assistance  from  that  colony. 
He  was  appointed  member  of  Council  February  7th,  1704-5,  and 
in  1718  was  one  of  the  commissioners  to  arrange  and  settle  the 
boundary  between  New  York  and  Connecticut.  In  1721,  he  was 
removed  from  the  Council  on  the  representation  of  Governor 
Burnett,  for  opposing  the  continuance  of  the  Assembly  after 
his  Excellency's  arrival.  In  1719,  he  was  member  of  Assembly 
for  Westchester,  and  was  speaker  in  1725.  In  1736,  he  was  one  of 
the  four  members  from  New  York  and  was  speaker  till  1737.  At 
the  election  in  that  year  he  was  not  elected,  but  upon  the  death 
of  Gerrit  Van  Home,  one  of  the  members,  he  was  elected  to  fill 
the  vacancy,  and  although  the  election  was  disputed,  he  was 
sustained.  He  was  reelected  speaker  in  1739,  and  held  that 
honorable  position  till  1745.  He  died  in  January,  1749,  at  the 
age  of  85.  John  Jay  said  of  him,  "  He  was  a  man  of  superior 
talent,  well  educated,  sedate,  highly  respected  and  popular. 
Except  that  he  was  penurious  I  have  heard  nothing  to  his  dis- 
advantage." His  portrait  is  among  the  family  relics  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Philipse  family,  and  represents  him  in  the  prime  of 
life.  Among  the  accounts  of  Joseph  Reed,  the  administrator 
of  the  estate,  there  is  charged  against  Frederick  Philipse,  the 
ancestor  of  the  present  family  of  Putnam  county,  the  follow- 
ing item:  "Jan.  25th,  1749,  To  the  picture  of  Mr.  Adolph 
Philipse,  £6." 

Frederick  Philipse,  who  inherited  from  his  grandfather  the 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  29 

immense  estate  of  the  Manor  of  Philipsburg,  and  from  his 
uncle,  Adolph  Philipse,  the  Highland  Patent,  was  born  in  Bar- 
badoes  in  1698,  and  when  four  years  old  came  to  New  York. 
Entering  upon  life  with  all  the  advantages  that  wealth  and 
high  position  could  bestow,  he  soon  became  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  citizens  of  the  province.  From  1721  to  1728,  he 
was  speaker  -of  the  Assembly.  In  1733,  he  was  baron  of  the 
Exchequer  and  he  also  held  the  office  of  third  judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  till  the  time  of  his  death,  while  his  social  posi- 
tion as  "Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Philipsburg,"  placed  him  in 
the  highest  rank  of  the  landed  gentry  of  the  period.  He  mar- 
ried Johanna,  youngest  daughter  of  Gov.  Anthony  Brockholst.' 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  children  :  Frederick,  born  in 
New  York;  Philip,  baptized  1727;  Susannah,  born  Sept.  27thj 
1727,  married  Col.  Beverly  Robinson;  Mary,  born  July  5th, 
1730,  married  Col.  Roger  Morris;  and  Margaret,  who  died  un 
married. 

Mrs.  Johanna  Philipse  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  her  carriage 
on  the  Highland  estate,  and  her  husband,  Frederick  Philipse, 
died  July  26th,  1751,  at  the  age  of  53.  He  was  buried  at  the 
old  Dutch  Church,  at  Tarrytown,  on  his  Manor  of  Philipsburg. 
The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  "New  York 
Gazette:" 

"Last  Friday  evening  departed  this  life  in  the  53rd  year  of 
his  age  the  Honorable  Frederick  Philipse  Esq.  one  of  his  Majes- 
ties justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Province  and  a 
Representative  in  the  General  Assembly  for  the  County  of 
Westchester.  He  was  a  gentleman  conspicuous  for  an  abundant 
fortune,  but  it  was  not  his  wealth  that  established  his  merit. 
His  indulgence  and  tenderness  to  his  tenants,  his  more  than 
parental  affection  for  his  children,  and  his  incessant  liberality 
to  the  indigent  surpassed  the  splendor  of  his  estate,  and  pro- 
cured him  a  more  unfeigned  regard  than  can  be  purchased  with 
opulence,  or  gained  by  interest.  There  were  perhaps  few  men 
that  ever  equaled  him  in  those  obliging  and  benevolent  manners, 
which,  at  the  same  time  that  they  attract  the  love  of  his 
Inferiors,  gained  him  all  the  respect  and  veneration  due  to  his 

'Gov.  Anthony  Brookholst  married  Susannah,  daughter  of  Palus  Schrick,  an 
early  settler  who  came  from  Holland.  He  left  five  children:  Henry;  Judith, 
wife  of  Dirck  Van  Vechten;  Susannah,  wife  of  Philip  French;  Mary,  who  died 
unmarried;  and  Johanna,  wife  of  Frederick  Philipse.  A  will  of  Susannah, 
widow  of  Gov.  Brookholst,  dated  1724,  is  among  the  Philipse  papers. 


30  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

lank  and  station.  That  he  was  a  lover  of  his  country  is  glo- 
riously attested  by  his  being  repeatedly  elected  into  the  Assem- 
bly, for  the  last  thirty  years  of  his  life.  He  had  a  disposition 
extremely  social  and  was,  what  few  ever  attain  to,  a  good  com- 
panion. But  what  I  have  said  of  his  character,  is  far  from 
being  a  finished  portrait,  it  is  only  a  sketch  of  some  few  of  his 
excellent  qualities;  many  features  I  am  sure  have  escaped  me, 
but  I  dare  say  that  those  I  have  attempted  are  not  set  off  with 
false  colors,  but  drawn  faithfully  from  the  life." 

He  died  possessed  of  a  large  fortune  which  was  distributed 
among  his  children. 

ABSTBACT   OF  WILL   OF   FKBDEEIOK   PHILIPSE. 

"  In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I  Frederick  Philipse  of  the 
city  of  New  York  being  in  tolerable  health  of  body  and  of 
sound  and  perfect  mind  and  understanding,  thanks  be  to 
Almighty  God,  do  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament.  And 
first  I  surrender  and  Recommend  my  immortal  soul  into  the 
hands  of  the  infinite  God  who  gave  it,  hopeing  for  salvation 
through  the  merits  of  my  blessed  Reedeemer  Jesus  Christ, 
and  my  body  I  order  to  be  buried  with  great  Decency  but  with 
no  ostentation  in  the  family  vault  at  the  Upper  Mills,  and  as 
touching  the  distribution  of  my  estate  I  devise  as  follows: 

"  Item  first  orders  all  debts  and  funeral  charges  paid. 

"Item  Second  Whereas  my  uncle  Adolph  Philipse  and 
Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  purchased  of  John  Richbell  a  certain 
tract  of  land  at  Mamaraneck  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  and 
Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  conveyed  all  his  estate  in  the  said  tract 
to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  which  is  come  to  me  as  heir  at  law, 
I  bequeath  the  same  unto  my  eldest  son  Frederick.  *  *  * 
All  the  manor  of  Philipsburg  and  all  tracts  of  land  in  West- 
chester County,  that  are  on  the  east  of  Hudson's  river  and 
bounded  northward  by  a  creek  called  by  the  Indians  Kichta 
wank  and  by  the  English  Kroten's  river,  and  so  eastward  into 
the  woods  along  the  creek  two  English  miles,  and  thence  upon 
a  direct  East  line  to  Bronks  river,  and  so  running  Southward 
along  Bronks  river,  until  a  direct  west  line  cutteth  the  South 
side  of  a  neck  or  Island  of  land  at  a  creek  or  Kill  called  Pap- 
parinimo,  which  divides  York  island  from  the  main,  and  so 
from  thence  north  ward  along  Hudson's  river  to  the  creek  called 
Kichtawank,  (excepting  the  farm  in  the  possession  of  William 


FREnEHICK    PHILIPSE-  The  "Yonker"    ar  "Judge"-  (ob,   17ai,) 

FrDm  painting  in  posssssinn  at 
New  Ycrk  Hlstnncal   Snclety 


*HTOT¥Pe,      t       eiEHSTADT.      N 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  31 

Jones  hereinafter  devised)  also  the  bridge  called  Kingsbridge 
with  all  the  Tolls,  and  also  my  salt  meadow  in  Orange  County 
adjoining  Hudson's  river,  and  also  that  certain  Lott  of  Ground 
facing  Duke  Street,  also  the  house  and  land  where  John  Pintard 
lately  lived,  also  that  dwelling  house  store  house  and  Lott 
situate  in  Stone  street  in  the  City  of  New  York  now  in  posses- 
sion of  my  son  in  law  Beverly  Robinson  *  *  to  my  eldest 
son  Frederick  Philipse  during  his  life,  and  after  his  death  to 
his  eldest  son.  [The  will  then  proceeds  to  entail  this  estate 
upon  the  male  heirs  to  all  futurity]. 

"  To  my  dearly  beloved  wife  Johanna  an  annuity  of  £400. 

"I  order  the  sum  of  £400  to  be  expended  towards  erecting  a 
Church  of  England  as  by  law  established  on  the  farm  near  and 
to  the  northward  of  the  house  now  in  the  possession  of  Wm. 
Jones  Senior,  by  the  Saw  mill  river,  and  I  devise  the  farm  now 
in  tenure  of  Wm.  Jones  for  the  use  of  such  ministers  as  shall 
be  inducted  in  said  church  to  remain  as  a  Glebe  for  said  Church.' 
[The  portion  of  the  will  which  disposes  of  the  Highland  Patent 
is  given  entire  in  another  place]. 

"  Whereas  upon  the  marriage  of  my  son  Philip  I  promised 
to  give  him  Two  thousand  Pounds  which  I  have  paid  him,  and 
whereas  I  also  promised  to  my  daughter  Susannah  the  like  sum 
as  her  marriage  portion  which  I  have  since  paid  to  her  husband 
Beverly  Robinson:  it  is  my  will  that  the  like  sum  be  paid  to 
each  of  my  other  daughters,  to  wit  Mary  and  Margaret  Philipse, 
at  their  marriage  *  *  *  and  as  good  an  outsett  in  clothing, 
plate,  kitchen  and  household  furniture  as  my  eldest  daughter 
Susannah  has  received  from  me. 

"  I  bequeath  to  my  daughter  Susannah,  wife  of  Beverly  Rob- 
inson, all  that  dwelling  house  gang  way  and  Lott  of  ground 
whereon  I  now  live,  and  to  my  daughter  Mary  the  dwelling 
house  and  Lott  where  Mr.  David  Clarkson  lately  lived  being  the 
corner  of  Stone  street,  and  to  my  daughter  Margaret  all  that 
house  and  Lott  bounded  South  by  Mr.  Chambers,  west  by  high 
water  mark,  north  partly  by  an  Alley  and  partly  by  the  house 
and  grounds  of  Bartholemew  Le  Rouse,  and  east  partly  by  the 
ground  of  the  said  Rouse  and  partly  by  the  Broadway,  and  to 
my  son  Philip  '  my  dwelling  house  where  my  uncle  Adolph 
Philipse  lived  and  dyed  in '  and  store  house  and  lot  of  ground 
thereto  belonging:  and  to  my  son  Frederick  all  that  my  corner 

'This  is  the  farm  and  church  lot  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Yonkers. 


32  HISTORY    OK   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

house  fronting  Broadway  and  Stone  street,  and  the  house  and 
ground  where  John  Roome  now  lives  and  my  storehouse  and  lot 
fronting  Broad  Street. 

"  I  devise  to  my  wife  Johanna  my  Coach  house  in  New  Street 
during  her  life.     *    *    * 

"To  my  son  Frederick  all  my  stock  and  utensils  and  all  my 
negroes,  except  my  negro  boy  Charles  whom  I  bequeath  to  my 
wife.  *  *  *  I  appoint  my  dearly  beloved  wife  Johanna 
Philipse,  my  son  Philip,  my  son  in  law  Beverley  Robinson 
executors  of  this  Will,  and  my  ,  daughters  Mary  and  Margaret 
executrixes.  In  virtue  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  seal  this  sixth  of  June  in  the  year  one  thousand  and  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  one. 

"  Feed  Philipse.     (L.  S.)" 

"  Witnesses  Jos.  Murray, 

Wm.  Livingston, 
James  Emott." 

A  codicil  to  this  will  July  22d,  1751,  gives  to  his  wife  Johanna 
the  use  of  the  houses  and  lots  in  New  York  given  in  the  will  to 
his  daughters,  during  her  life,  and  enumerates  forty-six  negroes, 
which  were  divided  among  his  children. 

Frederick  Philipse,  the  oldest  son,  was  the  last  lord  of  the 
Manor  of  Philipsburg.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of  quiet 
manners  and  indisposed  to  exertion.  He  was  colonel  of  militia, 
and  member  of  the  Provincial  Assembly.  At  the  time  of  the 
Revolution  he  adhered  to  the  Royal  cause  but  took  no  active 
'  part  in  hostility  to  the  new  government  and  was  permitted  to 
live  in  quiet  neutrality  in  Connecticut,  Upon  giving  his  parole. 
In  an  evil  hour  he  was  induced  to  go  to  New  York,  when  occu- 
pied by  the  British  and  very  imprudently  neglected  all  warn- 
ings to  return.  In  consequence  he  was  with  many  others 
attainted  of  treason,  his  immense  estate  of  Philipsburg  confis- 
cated and  sold  in  small  parcels  to  his  former  tenants,  who  thus 
became  landlords,  and  he  himself  banished  from  his  native  land 
where  his  ancestors  had  been  so  highly  distinguished,  went  to 
England  and  ended  his  days  there.  He  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Charles  Williams,  Esq.,  and  his  descendants  are 
still  living  in  Great  Britain. 

In  the  Cathedral,  in  Chester,  England,  is  a  marble  tablet  to 
his  memory  bearing  the  following  inscription: 


FREHERICK    PHILIFSE-  "CDlDnel"-  (ah,  17E5,) 

From  painting,  in  passession  of 
New  York  Histarical  SjciBty. 


ARTOTYPE,     £.     BIER8TADT,     N,     Y 


GENERA!;   HISTORY.  33 

"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Frederick  Philipse,  Esq.,  late  of 
the  province  of  New  York,  a  gentleman  in  whom  the  various 
Social,  Domestic  and  Religious  virtues  were  eminently  united. 
The  uniform  rectitude  of  his  conduct  commanded  the  esteem 
of  others,  whilst  the  benevolence  of  his  heart  and  the  gentleness 
of  his  manners  secured  their  love:  and  firmly  attached  to  his 
Sovereign  and  British  Constitution  he  opposed,  at  the  hazzard 
of'  his  life,  the  late  Rebellion  in  North  America,  and  for  this 
faithful  discharge  of  his  duty  to  his  King  and  Country  he  was 
proscribed,  and  his  Estate,  one  of  the  largest  in  New  York,  was 
confiscated  by  the  usurped  Legislature  of  that  Province:  when 
the  British  troops  were  withdrawn  from  New  York  in  1783  he 
quitted  a  province  to  which  he  had  always  been  an  ornament 
and  benefactor,  and  came  to  England  leaving  all  his  property 
behind  him,  which  reverse  of  fortune  he  bore  with  that  calm- 
ness, fortitude  and  dignity,  which  had  distinguished  him 
through  every  former  stage  of  his  life.  He  was  born  at  New 
York  the  12th  day  of  Sept.,  1720,  and  died  in  this  place  the  30 
April  1785  aged  65  years." 

Philip  Philipse,  the 
second  son,  who  with  his 
sisters  became  the  owner 
of  the  Highland  Patent, 
married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Nathaniel 
Marston.'  They  were  n(,S 
the  parents  of  three  children:  Adolph,  born  August  17th,  1745; 
Frederick,  born  May  3d,  1755;  and  Nathaniel,  born  August  5th, 
1756.  Philip  Philipse  died  at  an  early  age.  May  9th,  1768,  and 
was  buried  in  the  vault  of  Nathaniel  Marston,  in  Trinity  Church, 
New  York. 

'Nathaniel  Mai'ston,  the  ancestor  of  the  family,  was  born  in  Leicestershire  in 
1600,  settled  in  the  West  Indies  in  1633,  and  was  agent  of  the  Company  for 
settling  the  Island  of  Providence  "  on  account  of  his  knowledge  of  those  parts." 
He  had  a  wife,  Mary,  and  a  son  John,  who  had  a  Patent  for  land  on  Long  Island 
in  1666.  John  married  Anne  Say  and  had  two  children,  Nathaniel  and  Anne. 
Nathaniel  was  born  about  1665  and  left  Long  Island  and  settled  in  New  York, 
where  he  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  for  many  years  vestryman  of  Trinity 
Church,  and  helped  to  build  the  church  at  New  Rochelle.  He  married  Margriete, 
daughter  of  Abel  and  Anetje  Hardenbrock  and  died  in  1737,  leaving  children: 
Nathaniel;  Thomas,  who  died  in  1741,  unmarried;  Margaret,  wife  of  — —  Hendly; 
John,  (who  had  wife  Mary  and  children:  Mary,  wife  of  George  Richards,  and 
Anne,  wife  of  John  Minot);  Mary,  who  died  unmarried;  and  Anne,  wife  of 
Ebenezer  Grant. 
3 


34  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 


WILL   OF  PHILIP   PHILIPSE. 


"In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I  Philip  Philipse  of  the  City 
of  New  York,  being  at  present  weak  in  body  but  of  sound  and 
disposing  mind  and  Memory  do  make  this  my  last  will  &  Test- 
ament in  manner  and  form  following. 

"First,  I  will  that  all  my  just  debts  be  paid  and  satisfied, 
for  the  paymen  whereof  I  do  hereby  charge  all  that  my  Tract 
or  Lot  of  land  called  Lot  Number  eight,  situate  in  the  County 
of  Dutchess,  containing  about  eleven  thousand  and  fifty  seven 
acres,  and  which  for  that  purpose  I  do  hereby  order  and  em- 
power my  executors  hereinafter  mentioned  or  the  majority  of 
them  to  sell  and  dispose  of  the  said  tract  or  Lot  of  Land  to  any 
purchaser  or  purchasers  in  fee  simple.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath 
unto  my  beloved  wife  Margaret  Philipse  all  my  plate  furniture 
and  personal  estate  whatsoever. 

"Item,  all  the  rest  of  my  real  estate  whatsoever,  not  here- 
inbefore disposed  of  I  give  unto  my  said  wife  Margaret  Philipse 
and  unto  my  sons  Adolph  Philipse,  Frederick  Philipse,  and 
Nathaniel  Philipse,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  equally  to 
be  divided  among  them  share  and  share  alike.  And  if  any  of 
my  said  children  should  happen  to  die  under  age,  and  without 
lawful  issue  and  in  such  case  I  give  and  devise  the  part  or  share 
of  him,  so  dying  under  age  and  without  lawful  Issue  unto  my 
said  wife  and  surviving  children,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever 
equally  to  be  divided  between  them,  share  and  share  alike. 

"Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  all  the  monies  that  shall  arise 

Nathaniel  was  born  March  27th,  1704,  and  married  Mary,  d3,ughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  Crook.  Like  his  father  he  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  Warden  of 
Trinity.  He  died  October  21st,  1778,  and  was  buried  in  a  vault  in  Trinity  Church. 
His  children  were:  1st,  Margaret,  born  March  14th,  1737-8. 

3d,  Nathaniel,  born  December  1st,  1730,  and  married  Anna,  daughter  of 
Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt.  Their  children  were:  Frances,  wife  of  Charles  Morgan, 
afterwards  Warburton,  Bishop  of  Lemerick;  and  Mary,  who  married  her  cousin, 
Frederick  Philipse,  son  of  Philip. 

After  the  death  of  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt,  his  widow  married Van  Home 

and  had  four  children:  Aug;ustus  Valette;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas  S.  Clarkson; 
Frederick;  Ann  Mary,  wife  of  Levinus  Clarkson;  and  James  P. 

3d,  Thomas,  born  April  16th,  1739,  married  Amelia  Lispenard,  and  died  January 
11th,  1814. 

4th,  John,  born  December  6th,  1742,  graduated  at  Kings  College,  1760.  He 
married  Rachel,  wife  of  Thomas  Lawrence,  and  had  children:  Mary,  wife  of 
Thomas  White;  Nathaniel;  Rachel,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Grant;  Thomas  and  John. 
There  are  descendants  of  this  family  in  England  and  the  West  Indies. 


PHILIP    PHILIPSE  (Db,  1758.) 

Frnm  painting  in  passessian  of 
Phllipse-  G-DU-u-ernEur  family. 


AUTOTYPE,     c.     BIEHPTADT,-*  N 


GENERAL   HISTOEY.  35 

from  the  sale  of  the  said  Lot  number  eight  herein  before  ordered 
to  be  sold  that  shall  be  more  than  sufficient  for  the  payment  of 
my  debts  unto  my  said  wife  Margaret  Philipse,  her  executors 
and  assigns  forever. 

"And  lastly  I  do  hereby  nominate  and  appoint  my  said  wife 
Margaret  Philipse,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Marston,  The  Honourable 
Roger  Morris  Esq.  and  Beverly  Robinson,  executors  of  this  my 
last  will  and  Testament. 

"In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal 
this  thirtieth  day  of  January  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thous- 
and seven  hundred  and  sixty  eight. 

"Philip  Philipse." 

After  the  decease  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Margaret  Philipse 
married  Rev.  John  Ogilvie,  D.D.,  assistant  minister  of  Trinity 
Church,  April  15th,  1769.  He  died  November  26th,  1774.  She 
survived  him  many  years  and  died  February  11th,  1807.  There 
were  no  children  by  this  marriage. 

Nathaniel,  the  youngest  son,  graduated  from  King's  College 
(now  Columbia)  May  18th,  1773.  He  was  an  officer  in  the 
British  army,  and  his  commission  as  Ensign  in  the  17th  Regi- 
ment, signed  by  Sir  William  Howe,  is  dated  August  28th,  1776. 
He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Germautown,  October  4th,  1777, 
at  the  early  age  of  21  years,  1  month,  and  29  days.  The  follow- 
ing letter  bore  to  his  friends  the  notice  of  his  untimely  death. 

"  Camp  near  Germantown 

11  8berl777 
"My  Dear  Fred. 

"  It  is  with  the  greatest  concern  that  I  find  myself  obliged  to 
inform  you  of  the  unhappy  fate  of  poor  Nat.  He  was  killed 
the  4th  instant,  in  an  attack  made  by  23,000  rebels  on  German- 
town.  He  received  his  wound  on  the  left  cheek,  the  ball  lodged 
near  the  brain.  He  was  buried,  but  Mr.  Marston  had  him  dug 
up  and  carried  to  Philadelphia  where  he  was  interred  the  6th 
inst. 

"It  must  be  a  great  consolation  to  his  friends  that  (since  it 
was  God's  will  he  should  be  cutoff)  he  fell  universally  regretted. 
Also  that  he  did  not  linger  any  time  in  torment.  He  never 
spoke.  This  is  indeed  a  severe  trial  for  poor  Mrs.  Ogilvie.  God 
grant  her  fortitude  to  bear  it.     We  had  a  number  of  officers 


36  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

killed  and  wounded.  Mr  and  Mrs  Marston  and  family  are  verj'^ 
well.  I  assure  you  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  return  the  partic- 
ular attention  they  honor  me  with.  I  shall  always  acknowledge 
it  with  gratitude.  I  hope  your  familj^  are  all  well.  Present  my 
affectionate  respects  and  love  to  Mrs  Marston,  Mrs  Ogilyie, 
Philip  and  Miss  Marston. 

"And  believe  me  to  be  Dear  Fred 
"Your  most  affectionate 
"Wm  Jehbson." 

As  Nathaniel  Philipse  was  of  lawful  age  when  he  died  and 
left  no  will,  his  share  of  his  father's  estate  went  to  his  eldest 
brother,  Adolph,  who  died  June  8th,  1785,  unmarried,  and  from 
his  will  dated  June  2d,  1785,  and  proved  June  24th  of  same 
year  it  is  learned  that  he  gave  to  his  mother  the  use  of  one 
thousand  pounds  during  her  life;  to  Mary  Saunders  £250;  and 
to  Elizabeth  Aymar  the  use  of  £500  till  she  was  21  years  of  age, 
or  married,  and  then  the  principal  was  to  be  paid  to  her.  He 
also  gave  Ann  Grant  and  Margaret  Grant  £150  each. 

The  testator  charged  his  entire  estate  with  the  payment  of 
these  legacies,  and  gave  all  the  residue  of  his  estate  to  his  broth- 
er, Frederick  Philipse,  during  his  life,  and  after  his  death  to 
the  testator's  neice,  Mary  Philipse,  daughter  of  his  brother  Fred- 
erick, her  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  In  case  she  should  die  in 
her  father's  lifetime  without  issue  the  same  was  to  go  to  Fred- 
erick Philipse  absolutely. 

He  appointed  his  mother  Margaret  Ogilvie,  executrix;  Thom- 
as Belden  and  Richard  Harrison,  executors. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie  died  intestate,  leaving  as  her  sole  and 
only  heir  her  son,  Frederick  Philipse. 

Both  Adolph  Philipse  and  his  brother  Frederick  were  officers 
in  the  British  army.  The  commission  of  the  former,  as  captain 
in  an  "Independent  Company  of  Rangers"  is  signed  by  Wil- 
liam Tryon,  the  last  provincial  governor,  and  dated  September 
9th,  1772;  while  the  commission  of  the  latter,  as  captain  in  the 
"Safe  Guards  whereof  Beverly  Robinson  is  Colonel,"  is  signed 
by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  dated  July  1st,  1779.  Frederick' 
Philipse  graduated  from  King' s  College,  and  his  diploma,  dated 
May  18th,  1773,  is,  with  that  of  his  ill-fated  brother  Nathaniel, 
among  the  Philipse  papers  in  possession  of  the  family. 

In  1811,  Frederick  Philipse  released  to  his  daughter,  Mary, 


FREnERICK    PHILIPSE-  "Captain"-  (nb,  lB2g,) 

From  painting  in  pDSSEssian  of 
PhnipsE-  G-DnvRTnBnr  family. 


iHTOTYPE,     E      BIEReTADT, 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  37 

his  life  interest  in  Lot  No.  6,  the  fee  of  which  she  iaherited  by 
the  will  of  his  brother  Adolph. 


^^T"^^ 


It  will  be  seen  by  the  foregoing  that  the  whole  of  the  High- 
land Patent  was  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution  vested  in  Beverly 
Robinson  and  his  wife  Susannah,  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife 
Mary,  Frederick  Philipse  and  his  daughter  Mary,  and  Mrs.  Ogil- 
vie.  The  shares  of  Robinson  and  Morris  were  confiscated  as  will 
be  seen  in  a  succeeding  chapter.  Frederick  Philipse  married  his 
cousin,  Mary  Marston,  who  died  in  December,  1849,  and  by  this 
marriage  he  had  one  child,  Mary,  born  October  14th,  1779,  who 
married  Samuel  Gouverneur  about  1801.  After  the  decease  of 
his  first  wife,  Mr.  Philipse  married  Maria  Kemble,  who  left  no 
children.  Frederick  Philipse  died  May  3d,  1829,  leaving  his 
daughter  Mary  Gouverneur  his  sole  heir.  The  children  of  Mary 
Philipse  and  Samuel  Gouverneur  were:  Frederick  Philipse, 
(who  by  an  Act  of 
Legislature'  took  the 
name    of    Frederick 

Philipse)  ;      Adolph  -  i  ,^    , 

Nathaniel,  born  Sep-       ^^l^U,^  ^ ^.^£^ 
tember    29th,    1805,  / 

who   married  Eliza- 
beth Gill.     He  died 


S^ 


/i'SO 


^ 


January  28th,  1853,  leaving  one  daughter  Mary,  the  wife  of 
John  H.  Iselin;  Samuel  M.  W.,  who  died  unmarried  December 
18th,  1876;  Margaret  Philipse,  who  married  William  Moore; 
and  Mary  Marston,  who  is  now  living  at  Garrisons. 

Frederick  Philipse,  the  eldest  son,  married  Catharine  Wads- 
worth  Post.  He  died  October  26th,  1874,  leaving  two  daughters: 
Catharine  Wadsworth  Philipse;  and  Margaret  Gouverneur  Phil- 
ipse, both  now  living  at  Garrisons. 

Samuel  Gouverneur  died  January  28th,  1847,  at  the  age  of  76. 

'"An  act  to  change  the  name  of  Frederick  P.  Gouverneur,  passed  April  7th, 
1830."  "Be  it  enacted,  &c."  "The  name  of  Frederick  P.  Gouverneur  of  the 
town  of  PhUipstown  in  the  county  of  Putman  is  hereby  changed  to  Frederick 
Philipse,  by  which  latter  name  he  shall  be  hereafter  known  in  all  cases  what- 
soever." 


38  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

His  wife  survived  him  a  year  and  died  December  4th,  1848.   She 
left  her  real  estate  to  her  five  children. 

In  the  old  Philipse  Manor  House  at  Yonkers  one  feature  has 
puzzled  colonial  antiquarians.  Above  the  mantel,  in  the  prin- 
cipal room,  is  blazoned  in  relief  the  well  known  ostrich  plume 
badge  of  the  Princes  of  Wales. ,  That  the  Philipses — holding 
their  lands  by  favor  of  the  Crown,  high  in  the  colonial  councils 
of  the  British  monarch,  growing  rich  in  the  sunshine  of  royal 
patronage  and  confidence,  ostentatiously  loyal  while  the  colony 
was  dividing  into  tory  and  whig — should  have  committed  a  tech- 
nical high  treason  and  have  flung  in  the  face  of  royalty  so  gratu- 
itous an  insult  as  the  unauthorized  display  of  the  badge  in 
question  would  have  been,  is  not  to  be  imagined.  That  by 
special  permission  they  bore  the  badge  of  the  heirs  apparent  of 
the  crown  is  equally  out  of  the  question,  since  such  a  conces- 
sion woiald  have  been  a  matter  of  record  and  well  known  to  the 
royal  heralds,  who  have  no  note  of  this,  and  the  fact  would 
have  been  a  proud  memory  of  the  family,  which,  however,  has 
no  tradition  in  such  regard.  The  only  remaining  alternative  is 
that  the  Philipse  family  blazoned  the  badge  in  their  own  right, 
independently  of  the  Princes  of  Wales,  not  improbably  from  a 
common  source.  This  is  supported  by  the  tradition  corrobor- 
ated by  historical  data,  that  the  Philipses  came  from  Bohemia; 
for  the  current  derivation  of  the -badge  of  the  Princes  of  Wales 
is  that  the  Black  Prince  took  it  from  the  blind  king  of  Bo- 
hemia conquered  at  Cressy.  That  an  old  Bohemian  family 
should  bear  the  badge  in  its  own  right  is  therefore  easily  under- 
stood. But  a  still  more  striking  coincidence  has  been  pointed 
out  by  Mr.  Woodward,  the  American  antiquarian,  who  cites  the 
more  trustworthy  derivation,  viz.,  that  the  ostrich  plumes  came 
into  British  heraldry  from  Philippa  of  Hainault,  whose  cogniz- 
ance it  was.  The  continental  method,  devised  among  the  Ro- 
mans, of  naming  all  daughters  by  the  patronym  of  the  gens,  so 
that  the  daughters  of  the  Cornelian  gens  would  be  named  in 
the  order  of  seniority,  Cornelia  Prima,  Cornelia  Secunda,  &c., 
and  the  heiresses  of  Philip  all  Philippas,  is  so  well  known  and 
was  so  generally  followed,  that  the  coincidence,  combined  with 
that  of  the  badge,  almost  proves  the  identity  of  the  family 
from  whom  Philippa  of  Hainault  took  the  name  with  that 
whose  name  has  been  preserved  as  "Philip  (se)  "—in  itself  a 
patronym.     This  combined  with  the  identity  of  the  other  or 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  39 

Bohemian  tradition  (also  common  both  to  the  badge  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales  and  the  Philipse  family)  leaves  it  hard  to 
doubt  that  the  heir-apparent  of  the  British  Crown  and  the  Vred- 
erick  Flypsen,  driven  from  his  country  because  of  his  religion, 
and  seeking  his  fortunes  in  New  Amstei-dam,  derived  the  badge 
of  ostrich  plumes  from  a  common  source.  Whether  from 
Philippa  of  Hainault  or  the  blind  king  of  Bohemia,  or  neither, 
does  not  matter,  since  the  probable  cause  of  the  varying  tra- 
ditions as  to  whence  the  Black  Prince  took  his  cognizance  is 
that  it  was  derived  from  an  older  source  from  which  it  had  also 
descended  both  to  the  blind  king  and  the  heiress  of  Philip. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE  DIVISION  OF  THE   HIGHLAND  PATENT. 


UPON  the  decease  of  Frederick  Philipse  in  1751,  the  High • 
land  Patent,  by  the  terms  of  his  will,  passed  into  the 
possession  of  his  four  younger  children;  Philip,  Susannah, 
Mary  and  Margaret.  The  last  died  about  1752,  without  issue, 
and  her  share  went  to  others  in  equal  proportions.  It  will  be 
seen  by  referring  to  the  terms  of  the  will  that  these  persons  did 
not  have  the  estate  in  fee  simple  absolute,  but  that  it  was  en- 
tailed, they  owning  simply  a  life  interest.  Before  proceeding 
to  a  division  of  this  tract,  they  resolved  to  take  steps  to  bar 
the  entail.  The  documents  connected  with  the  case  are  curious 
and  interesting  as  showing  the  old  forms  of  English  law,  and  a 
complicated  course  of  procedure  which  has  long  since  passed 
away. 

The  first  step  in  this  process  was  to  make  an  arrangement  by 
which  certain  lands  which  had  been  leased  to  Petrus  Dubois 
could  be  included,  and  the  following  instrument  was  executed. 

"  To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  I,  Peter  Dubois, 
Junior,  of  Dutchess  County  send  greeting.  Whereas  I  do  hold 
for  the  term  of  my  life,  out  of  the  tract  of  land  lately  belong- 
ing to  Adolph  Philipse,  Esq.,  deceased,  in  the  county  of 
Dutchess,  conimonly  known  by  the  name  of  the  Highlands  or 
Philipse' s  upper  Patent,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  River, 
at  the  south  side  of  the  Pishkill,  begining  at  the  head  of  a 
spring  by  a  Botten  Wood  tree  marked  on  two  sides  with  three 
notches,  and  a  cross  on  the  north  side,  then  north  westward 
along  said  spring,  till  it  comes  in  a  brook  or  run  of  water;  then 
northward  along  said  brook  till  it  comes  in  the  Fishkill  Bay  by 
a  place  called  Plum  Point,  and  then  beginning  again  by  the 
Botten  Wood  tree  at  the  head  of  the  aforesaid  spring;  thence 
south  east  to  the  body  of  the  high  hills;  then  eastward  along 


SUSiiNIsraH    PHILTPSE-  Mrs,  Rnbinsnn:  ah.  (1822) 

Prnm  painting  in  passBssinn  nf 
Neto-  Tork  Historical  SociEtv 


ARTOTYPE,     E      BIERSTADT,     n. 


GENERAL   HISTOEY.  41 

said  hills  and  from  the  aforesaid  place  called  Plum  Point,  and 
eastward  along  the  said  Fishkill  till  it  includes  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  acres  of  land,  between  the  high  hills  and  the  Fishkills, 
with  the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances,  the  immediate  re- 
version or  remainder  whereof  doth  now  belong  unto  Philip 
Philipse,  Beverly  Robinson,  and  Susannah,  his  wife,  and  Mary 
Philipse,  and  to  the  respective  heirs  of  the  bodys  of  the  said 
Philip,  Susannah,  and  Mary  forever. 

"Now,  know  ye  that  for  the  perfecting  of  some  assurance 
shortly  to  be  made  by  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  Beverly  Robin- 
son, and  Susannah,  his  wife,  and  Mary  Philipse,  of  the  said 
lands  and  tenements  by  way  of  common  recovery,  for  and  in 
consideration  of  one  shilling,  lawful  money  of  New  York,  to 
me  paid,  I  have  granted  and  sui-rendered  and  by  these  presents 
do  grant  and  surrender  unto  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  Beverly 
Robinson,  and  Susannah,  his  wife,  and  Mary  Philipse,  and 
their  heirs,  upon  the  condition  hereinafter  mentioned,  all  the 
said  lands  and  tenements,  and  all  my  estate,  right,  title,  and  in- 
terest therein  and  within  the  bounds  of  the  said  tract  of  land 
called  the  Highlands  or  Philipse' s  upper  Patent. 

''  To  have  and  to  hold  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  Beverly 
Robinson,  and  Susannah,  his  wife,  and  Mary  Philipse,  and  their 
heirs,  upon  condition  that  if  they,  the  said  Philip  Philipse, 
Beverly  Robinson,  and  Susannah,  his  wife,  and  Mary  P'hilipse 
do  not  pay,  or  cause  to  be  paid  unto  me,  the  said  Peter  D.  Bois, 
the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds,  lawful  money  of  New  York, 
upon  the  first  day  of  June  next  ensuing  after  the  date  hereof, 
thai  then  and  from  henceforth  this  present  grant  and  surrender 
shall  be  utterly  void  and  of  none  effect,  and  that  then  it  shall 
be  lawful  for  me,  the  said  lands  and  tenements  to  repossess  and 
enjoy,  as  in  my  former  estate  and  right,  anything  in  these 
presents  in  any  wise  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal, 
the  twenty-seventh  day  of  June,  in  the  twenty-seventh  year  of 
the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  George  the  Second,  Annoque 
Domini  1753. 

"Petrus  Dubois.     (L.  S.)" 

The  next  step  was  whac  was  styled  a  "  deed  of  lease  and  re- 
lease "  by  which  the  premises  were  leased  to  a  third  party  who 
was  in  reality  the  attorney  for  the  persons  interested. 


42  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

."  This  Indenture  made  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  June  in  the 
twenty-seventh  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord, 
George,  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britian, 
France  and  Ireland.,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c.  Anno 
Domini,  1753,  between  Philip  Philipse,  Beverly  Robinson  and 
Susannah,  his  wife,  and  Mary  Philipse  of  the  first  part  and 
William  Alexander  of  the  second  part  Witnesseth,  that  the 
parties  afore  said  of  the  first  part  for  and  in  consideration  of 
five  shillings  to  them  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  William  AleX; 
ander  have  bargained  and  sold  and  by  these  presents  do  bargain 
and  sell  to  the  said  William  Alexander  all  that  large  tract  of 
land  situate  and  being  on  the  east  side  of  Hudsons  River  in 
Dutchess  County  in  the  province  of  New  York  which  by  letters 
patent  was  granted  to  Adolph  Philipse  deceased  which  said  tract 
of  land  is  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Mr. 
Phillipses  upper  or  Highland  patent  together  with  the  appurte- 
nances, which  tract  of  land  is  more  fully  to  be  described  in  a 
release  and  deed  to  lead  to  ihe  uses  of  a  recovery  of  the  premises 
to-morrow  to  be  made,  Together  with  all  the  estate,  right,  title 
and  interest  of  the  parties  aforesaid  of  the  first  part  and  of  every 
of  them  of  in  and  to  the  said  large  tract  of  land  and  premises 
with  the  appurtenances. 

"  To  have  and  to  hold  the  above-bargained  premises  to  the 
said  William  Alexander  from  the  day  before  the  day  of  the 
date  of  these  presents  for  and  during  the  term  of  one  whole 
year  from  thence  next  ensuing  to  the  intent  that  by  virtue  of 
these  presents  and  of  the  Statute  for  transferring  uses  into  pos- 
session jthe  said  William  Alexander  may  be  in  the  actual  posses- 
sion of  the  premises  and  thereby  enabled  to  accept  of  a  grant 
and  a  release  of  a  freehold  in  the  premises,  to  morrow  to  be 
made  that  he  may  be  a  perfect  Tenant  to  a  precipe  in  a  common 
recovery  of  the  premises  to  be  suffered.    . 

"  In  witness  whereof  the  parties  to  these  presents  Indentures 
have  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year 
first  above  written. 

"  Philip  Philipse.  (l.  s.) 

"  Susannah  Robinson,  (l.  s.) 
"  William  Alexander,  (l.  s.) 
"  Bev.  Robinson.  (l.  s.) 

"  Mary  Philipse.  (l.  s.) 


MARY  FHILIPSE-  Mrs,  Mnrrls-  (nh.  1825,) 

Ftdih  painting  in  possEssinn  of 
PhllipsE-  G-DuvBrneur  family. 


AHTOTYPE      E.     BIERBTADT,     » 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  43 

"  Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 

"  John  Rypel. 

"  Catherine  Jandin." 

The  "  Statute  for  transferring  uses  into  possession,"  which  is 
mentioned  in  the  foregoing  lease  is  very  frequently  mentioned 
in  ancient  deeds.  By  its  provisions  a  person  who  held  a  lease 
of  a  piece  of  land  for  one  year  was  considered  in  actual  posses- 
sion, although  he  might  never  have  seen  it.  It  then  became 
customary  when  selling  land  to  parties  who  did  not  intend  to 
enter  upon  actual  occupancy,  to  give  a  lease  for  "one  whole 
year"  for  a  nominal  sum.  By  this  means  the  person  in  the  eye 
of  the  law  became  actually  "seized  "  of  the  premises  the  same  as 
if  dwelling  upon  it.  The  next  day,  a  deed  was  made  out  in  full 
form,  and  with  all  the  verbosity  which  characterized  ancient 
conveyances  of  land,  and  which  has  not  yet  wholly  disappeared, 
and  the  delivery  of  this  deed  was  in  effect  putting  the  purchaser 
in  actual  possession,  as  much  as  the  still  more  ancient  form  of 
delivery  to  the  purchaser  of  a  "  turf  and  a  twig  "  as  a  part  and 
parcel  of  the  granted  premises.  In  accordance  with  this  law 
and  custom  the  following  deed  was  given  the  next  day. 

"  This  Indenture  Quintipartite,  made  the  twenty-ninth 
day  of  -June  in  the  twenty  seventh  year  of  the  Reign  of  our 
Sovereign  Lord  George  the  Second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of 
Great  Britian  France  and  Ireland  King  Defender  of  the  Faith 
&c  Annoque  Domini  1753,  Between  Philip  Philipse  of  the  first 
part,  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife  of  the  Second 
part,  Mary  Philipse  of  the  third  part  William  Alexander  of  the 
fourth  part  and  Thomas  Jones  of  the  fifth  part,  Whereas  Colonel 
Frederick  Philipse  deceased  father  of  the  said  Philip,  Susannah 
and  Mary  by  his  last  Will  and  Testament  in  his  life  time  duly 
made  and  executed  by  him  and  bearing  date  on  or  about  the  sixth 
day  of  June  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fif tj^  one  amongst 
other  things  recited  that  there  was  a  large  tract  of  land  situate 
and  being  on  the  East  side  of  Hudsons  River  which  by  letters 
patent  bearing  date  on  or  about  the  seventeenth  day  of  June  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety 
seven  was  granted  unto  Adolph  Philipse  Uncle  to  the  testator 
and  his  heirs,  butted  and  bounded  as  therein  mentioned  refer- 
ence being  thereunto  had,  which  said  tract  of  land  was  com- 
monly called  or  known  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Philipses  upper  or 


44  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

highland  patent  and  which  said  large  tract  of  land  and  the 
estate  right  and  title  in  and  to  the  same  then  belonged  to  and 
was  vested  in  the  said  Frederick  Philipse  the  Testator  as  heir  at 
Law  to  his  said  Uncle  Wherefore  he  the  said  Frederick  by  his 
last  Will  did  devise  and  bequeath  the  said  large  tract  of  land 
with  the  appurtenances  in  the  manner  in  the  said  last  Will  set 
forth  that  is  to  say,  one  quarter  part  thereof  unto  his  said  son 
Philip  party  to  these  presents  and  to  the  heirs  of  his  body  for- 
ever, one  other  quarter  part  thereof  unto  his  eldest  Daughter 
Susannah  party  to  these  presents  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  body 
forever.  One  other  quarter  part  thereof  unto  his  second  daugh- 
ter Mary  party  to  these  presents  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  body 
forever,  and  the  other  quarter  part  thereof  unto  his  youngest 
daughter  Margaret  Philipse  since  deceased  and  to  the  heirs  of 
her  body  forever,  and  the  said  Frederick  the  Testator  by  his 
said  last  Will  did  provide  that  if  his  said  son  Philip  Philipse 
or  any  or  either  of  his  said  daughters  should  happen  to  die 
without  issue  then  and  in  such  case  the  quarter  part  or  parts 
thereby  devised  to  him  her  or  those  of  them  so  dying  without 
issue  he  did  Will  devise  and  bequeath  unto  the  survivor  of  them 
equally  to  be  divided  between  them  and  to  the  respective  heirs 
of  their  body  forever  and  if  three  of  them  should  happen  to 
die  without  issue  then  he  willed  devised  and  bequeathed  the 
three  quarter  parts  of  those  so  dying  without  issue  unto  the  sur- 
vivor of  them  and  to  the  heirs  of  the  body  of  such  survivor 
forever  with  sundry  further  remainders  over  upon  the  contin- 
gency s  therein  mentioned  as  by  the  said  last  Will  duly  proved 
and  remaining  of  record  in  the  Secretary's  Office  of  New  York, 
reference  being  thereunto  had  fully  and  at  large  may  appear. 

"  Now  this  Indenture  Witnesseth  that  (in  order  to  the  bar- 
ring and  docking  the  said  Intails  and  remainder  over)  the 
parties  aforesaid  of  the  first  second  and  third  part  for  and  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  five  shillings  to  them  in  hand  paid 
by  the  said  William  Alexander  the  receipt  whereof  they  do 
hereby  acknowledge  and  discharge  him  thereof  for  ever  have 
granted  bargained  sold  released  enfeoffed  and  confirmed  and 
they  and  every  of  them  by  these  presents  do  grant  bargain 
sell  release  enfeoff  and  confirm  to  the  said  William  Alexander 
party  hereto  (the  same  in  his  possession  being  by  virtue  of  a 
bargain  and  sale  to  him  thereof  made  bearing  date  the  day  be- 
fore the  day  of  the  date  of  these  presents  and  by  virtue  of  the 


MARG-fiRET    PHILIPSE-  (oh,  17S2,) 

FrDm  painting  in  possEssinn  nf 
Piiillpsp-  Gau-u-ernEur  family, 


PE,     c.     BIERSTADT, 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  45 

Statute  for  transferring  uses  into  possession)  and  to  his  assigns 
all  the  said  large  tract  of  land  situate  and  being  on  the  east  side 
of  Hudsons  River  which  by  the  Letters  patent  aforesaid  was 
granted  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  which  said  tract  of  land  is 
commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Philipse' s 
upper  or  highland  patent,  together  with  all  the  estate  right  title 
and  interest  of  the  parties  aforesaid  of  the  first  second  and  third 
part  of  it  in  and  to  the  same  and  every  part  thereof  with  the 
appurtenances. 

"To  have  and  to  hold  the  above  bargained  and  released 
premises  unto  the  said  William  Alexander  and  his  assigns  for 
and  during  the  natural  lives  of  the  parties  aforesaid  of  the  first, 
second  and  third  part  to  the  intent  and  purpose  that  the  said 
William  Alexander  shall  and  may  be  perfect  tenant  of  the 
Freehold  of  all  the  lands  and  premises  above  mentioned  until 
one  good  and  perfect  recovery  may  be  had  against  him  the  said 
William  Alexander  of  the  same  lands  and  premises,  and  it  is 
covenanted,  granted,  concluded  and  agreed  by  and  between  all 
the  said  parties  to  these  presents  that  it  shall  and  may  be  law- 
ful to  and  for  the  said  Thomas  Jones  party  hereto  of  the  fifth 
part,  before  the  last  day  of  October  term  next  ensuing  the  date 
of  these  presents  to  prosecute  out  of  the  high  Court  of  Chan- 
cery for  the  province  of  New  York  one  or  more  Writt  or  Writts 
of  entry  Sur  Disseizin  in  Le  port  against  the  said  William 
Alexander  returnable  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  New  York, 
whereby  the  said  Thomas  Jones  shall  and  may  demand  against 
the  said  William  Alexander  all  and  singular  the  aforesaid 
premises  with  the  appurtenances  by  the  name  of  five  hundred 
messuages,  twenty  mills,  twenty  dove  houses,  five  hundred  gar- 
dens, two  hundred  thousand  acres  of  land,  one  hundred  thous- 
and acres  of  meadow,  two  hundred  thousand  acres  of  pasture, 
two  hundred  thousand  acres  of  wood,  thirty  thousand  acres  of 
Marsh,  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  covered  with  water  and  com- 
mon of  pasture  for  all  cattle,  with  appurtenances  at  Philipses 
upper  patent  and  Philipses  precinct  and  in  Dutchess,  or  by  such 
other  name  or  names,  quantity  or  quantitys,  quality  or  qualitys, 
number  or  content  of  acres,  as  shall  be  thought  fitt  and 
requisite,  unto  which  said  Writ  or  Writs,  the  said  William 
Alexander  shall  appear  in  his  proper  person  and  shall  vouch 
to  warrant  the  said  Philip  Philipse  herein  first  named  who  shall 
appear  gratis  upon  the  voucher  and  shall  enter  into  warranty 


46  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  shall  vouch  over  to  warrant  thp  said  Beverly  Robinson  and 
Susannah  his  wife  who  shall  also  appear  gratis  upon  the  voucher 
and  shall  enter  into  warranty  and  shall  vouch  over  to  warrant 
the  said  Mary  Philipse  party  to  these  presents  who  shall  also 
appear  gratis  upon  the  voucher  and  shall  enter  into  warranty 
and  shall  vouch  over  to  warrant  the  common  vouchee  and  the 
common  vouchee  shall  appear  and  Imparte  and  afterwards 
make  default  whereby  on'e  recovery  or  judgment  may  be  had 
and  given  for  the  said  Thomas  Jones  for  recovery  of  the  said 
lands  tenements  hereditaments  and  premises  aforesaid  against 
the  said  William  Alexander  and  for  the  said  William  Alexander 
to  recover  over  in  value  against  the  said  Philip  Philipse  first 
named  and  for  the  same  Philip  Philipse  to  recover  over  in  value 
against  the  said  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife  and 
for  the  same  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife  to  recover 
over  in  value  against  the  said  Mary  Philipse  party  to  these 
presents  and  for  the  said  Mary  Philipse  to  recover  over  in  value 
against  the  common  vouchee  according  to  the  manner  and  form 
of  common  Recoverys  in  such  case  used,  and  it  is  further  cove- 
nanted, granted  concluded  and  agreed  by  and  between  all  and 
every  of  the  said  parties  to  these  presents  and  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  the  parties  to  these  presents  is  that  from  and 
im.mediately  after  the  said  common  Recovery  shall  be  had  prose- 
cuted and  suffered  as  aforesaid  of  the  said  premises  the  said 
Recovery  shall  be  and  enure  and.  it  is  hereby  declared  to  have 
been  intended  to  be  and  enure  that  the  said  Thomas  Jones  and 
all  and  every  other  person  or  persons  which  shall  be  seized 
of  the  premises  or  any  part  thereof  by  force  and  virtue 
of  the  said  common  Recovery  shall  stand  and  be  seized  thereof 
and  of  every  part  and  parcel  thereof  with  their  and  every  of 
their  appurtenances  to  the  uses  following  to  witt,  as  for  touch- 
ing and  concerning  one  third  part  .(the  whole  in  three  equal 
parts  to  be  divided)  of  all  the  said  lands  and  premises,  to  the 
sole  and  only  proper  use  benefit  and  behoof  of  the  said  Philip 
Philipse,  party  to  these  presents  of  the  first  part  his  heirs  and 
assigns  forever  and  as  for  touching  and  concerning  one  other 
third  part  (the  whole  in  three  equal  parts  to  be  divided)  of  all 
the  said  lands  and  premises  to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use 
benefit  and  behoof  of  the  said  Susannah  party  to  these  presents 
of  the  second  part,  her  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  and  as  for 
touching  or  concerning  the  remaining  thiVd  part  (the  whole  in 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  47 

three  equal  parts  to  be  divided)  of  all  the  said  lands  and  prem- 
ises to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof  of  the 
said  Mary  Philipse  party  to  these  presents  of  the  third  part  her 
heirs  and  assigns  forever  and  to  no  other  usfe,  intent  or  purpose 
whatsoever. 

"  In  Witness  Whereof  the  parties  to  these  present  Indentures 
have  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year 
first  above  written. 

"Philip  Philipse. 

"  Susannah  Robinson. 

"William  Alexander. 

"Bev.  Robinson. 

"Mary  Philipse. 

"Thomas  Jones. 

The  role  in  the  action  of  Thomas  Jones  against  William  Alex- 
ander is  not  on  file  in  New  Yorls  county  or  Albany,  and  the 
only  trace  of  the  action  of  ejectment  contemplated  in  the  fore- 
going that  has  been  found  is  in  the  rough  minutes  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Province  of  New  York  for  1753,  where 
the  following  appears  at  pages  271  and  292: 

"Mr.  Chief  Justice  DeLancey  took  his  seat  on  the  bench. 


(L. 

S.) 

(L. 

S.) 

(L. 

S.) 

(L. 

S.) 

(L. 

S.) 

(L. 

S.)" 

THOMAS  JONES, 

Demandant, 

against 

WILLIAM  ALEXANDER, 

Tenant. 


"  On  writ  of  entry  sur  .Dissiezin  in  leport  for  Tenements  and 
Commons  in  Dutchess  County. 

"The  writ  returned  and  filed,  the  demandant  appears  in  his 
proper  person  and  prays  the  tenant  may  be  called.  The  tenant 
being  called  appears  in  his  proper  person.  The  demandant 
counts  against  him. 

"The  tenant  vouches  Philip  Philipse  to  warrant:  Philip  Phil- 
ipse appears  gratis  in  his  proper  person.  Philip  Philipse 
present  in  Court  enters  into  warranty  and  prays  that  the  de- 
mandant may  count  against  him,  the  said  Philip  Philipse.    The 


48  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

demandant  counts  against  Philip  Philipse.  Philip  Philipse 
vouches  to  warrant  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah,  his  wife. 
Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife  begin  called  appear 
gratis  in  their  propgr  person,  and  the  said  Susannah  being  first 
examined  by  the  Court,  the  said  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susan- 
nah his  wife  enter  into  warranty  and  pray  that  the  demandmant 
may  count  against  them.  The  demandmant  counts  against  Bev- 
erly Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife.  Beverly  Robinson  and 
Susannah  his  wife  vouch  to  warrant  Mary  Philipse.  Mary 
Philipse  being  called  appears  gratis  in  her  proper  person. 
Mary  Philipse  present  in  Court  enters  into  warranty  and  that 
the  demandmant  may  count  against  her:  the  demandmant 
counts  against  Mary  Philipse.  Mary  Philipse  vouches  to  war- 
rant Thomas  Wenman:  Thomas  Weiiman  being  called,  appears 
in  his  proper  person.  Thomas  Wenman  present  in  Court  enters 
into  warranty  and  prays  that  the  demandmant  counts  against 
him.  The  demandant  counts  against  Thomas  Wenman.  Thomas 
Wenman,  present  in  Court,  pleads  that  Hugh  Hunt  did  not  dis- 
seize the  said  Thomas  Jones,  as  by  the  writ  and  count  it  is 
alleged.  The  demandmant  prayed  leave  to  imparle;  granted  by 
the  Court.  The  Remembrance  Roll  in  this  cause  marked  at  the 
bar  filled,  on  which  are  entered  the  precipe,  writ  of  entry  and 
sherifl"s  return.  Afterwards  the  demandmant  returned  into 
Court,  and  Thomas  Wenman  being  called,  did  not  appear, 
therefore  judgment  is  entered." 

"Present — The  Hon.  John  Chambers,  Esq.,  Second  Justice. 


THOMAS  JONES, 

Demandant^ 

against 

WILLIAM  ALEXANDER, 

Tenant. 


"  On  the  Writ  of  Seizin  in  this  cause,  the  Sheriff  of  Dutchess 
County,  returns  that  on  the  second  day  of  August,  instant,  he 
had  caused  the  demandmant  to  have  plenary  seizin  of  the  mes- 
suages, tenements  and  common  in  the  said  write  specified  with 
the  appurtenances.     Writ  of  Seizin  with  return  filed  enrollment 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  49 

of  writ  of  entry  and  return  recovery.  Writ  of  Seizin  and  return 
examined  and  signed  by  Mr.  Justice  Chambers  are  now  filed  and 
exemplification  thereof  made  and  delivered  to  the  demandant." 

The  lands  were  thus  freei  from  the  incumbrance  of  the  entail- 
ment and  we  now  have  premises  owned  by  Philip  Philipse,. 
Mary  Philipse  and  Susannah  Eobinson  (wife  of  Beverly  Robin- 
son); each  an  equal  share  in  fee  simple  absolute. 

In  1754,  Philip  Philipse,  Mary  Philipse  and  Susannah  Robin- 
son divided  the  tract  described  in  the  grant  to  Adolph  Philipse 
into  nine  lots,  and  made  an  actual  partition  of  the  same. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  partition  deed  for  lot  ~So.  8 
and  other  lots,  executed  by  Mary  Philipse  and  Susannah  Rob- 
inson to  Philip  Philipse: 

"  This  Indenture  made  the  seventh  day  of  February  in  the 
twenty -seventh  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  Greorge 
tlie  Second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain  France  and 
Ireland  King  Defender  of  the  Faith  &c  annoq  Dom  1754 
Between  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife  and  Mary 
Philipse  of  the  first  part  and  Philip  Philipse  of  the  Second 
part — Whereas  the  said  Susannah  Robinson  Mary  Philipse  and 
Philip  Philipse  are  and  Stand  seized  in  Fee  Simple  in  Common 
of  all  that  certain  Tract  or  parcel  of  Land  granted  unto  Adolph 
Philipse  then  of  the  City  of  New  York  Merchant  by  his  late 
Majesty  King  William  the  third  by  Letters  Patent  under  the 
Great  Seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York  bearing  date  the 
Seventeenth  day  of  June  in  the  Year  of  Our  Lord  one  thousand 
six  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  in  Dutchess  County  Scituate 
lying  and  being  in  the  High  Lands  on  ttie  East  side  of  Hudson 
River  beginning  at  a  certain  red  Cedar  Tree  marked  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Hill  commonly  Called  Anthony's  Nose,  which  is 
likewise  the  North  Bounds  of  Collo  Stephanus  Van  Courtlandts 
land  on  his  Mannor  of  Courtland  and  from  thence  bounded  by 
the  said  Hudson  River  as  the  said  River  runs  Northerly  until 
it  comes  to  the  Creek  or  run  of  water  called  and  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Great  Fish  Kill  to  the  northward  and  above  the 
said  highlands  which  is  likewise  the  south-ward  Bounds  of 
another  Tract  of  Land  belonging  to  the  said  Collo  Stephanus 
Courtland  and  Company  and  so  easterly  along  the  said  Court- 
landts Line  and  the  South  bounds  of  Collo  Henry  Beekman 
until  it  comes  twenty  miles  or  unto  the  Division  or  partition 
line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  said  Province 
4 


50  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  Easterly  by  the  said  Division  line  and  bounded  northerly 
and  southerly  by  east  and  west  lines  unto  the  said  Division  line 
Between  the  said  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  province 
aforesaid  the  whole  being  bounded  westward  by  the  same  Hud- 
son River  Northward  by  the  land  of  CoUo  Courtlandt  and  Com- 
pany and  the  land  of  Collo  Beekman,  eastward  by  the  partition 
line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Province  of 
New  York  and  southerly  by  the  Mannor  of  Courtlandt  to  the 
laad  of  the  said  Collo  Courtlandt  including  therein  a  certain 
Island  at  the  North  side  of  the  said  Highlands  called  pollepels 
Island  with  the  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  thereunto 
belonging  as  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  Relation  being  there- 
unto had  may  more  fully  and  at  Large  Appear.  And  Whereas 
the  said  parties  to  these  presents  have  by  Jonathan  Hampton 
their  surveyor  divided  the  greatest  part  of  the  said  Tract  or 
parcel  of  Land  and  distinguished  the  same  by  Lotts  made  and 
described  Signed  and  delivered  to  the  said  Parties  by  the  said 
Johnathan  Hampton  and  left  in  the  hands  of  Beverly  Robinson 
Party  hereto  for  the  use  of  himself  and  the  other  parties  to 
these  presents  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  when  reasonably  there- 
unto required  by  any  of  the  other  parties  their  heirs  or  Assigns 
and  in  order  to  an  equal  Division  of  the  same  have  according  to 
divers  Assortments  made  by  the  said  Johnathan  Hampton 
drawn  their  several  Lotts  whereupon  the  Lots  Number  Two 
.Number  Six  and  Number  Eight  (Except  two  thirds  of  the 
Meadow  in  the  said  Lot  Number  Two  hereinafter  described) 
protracted  and  laid  down  in  the  said  Map  do  now  belong  to  the 
Lott  and  share  of  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  are  butted  and 
bounded  as  follows,  to  wit  Lott  Number  Two  beginning  at  a 
pine  Tree  standing  on  the  East  Side  of  Hudsons  River  Markt 
P.  R.  and  a  heap  of  stones  twenty-two  chains  below  a  noted 
Rock  called  the  Old  Wife  lying  in  the  Mouth  of  a  Brook,  which 
is  the  North  west  corner  of  Lott  Number  one  then  South  sixty 
five  degrees  East  eighty  three  Chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  the 
Top  of  a  hill  then  North  Seventy  three  degrees  East  one  hun 
dred  and  seventy  four  chains  to  a  Chestnut  tree  marked  P  R 
1753  on  the  west  side  standing  in  the  line  of  Lott  Number  Four 
on  the  East  Side  of  a  steep  Rocky  Mountain,  and  in  the  North 
east  Corner  of  Lott  Number  One,  from  thence  North  Ten  de- 
grees east  along  the  Line  of  said  Lott  number  four,  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  Chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones  and  a  Walnut 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  51 

bush  markt  P.  R.  1753  on  a  mountain  being  the  Southeast  cor- 
ner of  Lott  number  three,  then  South  seventy  seven  degrees. 
West  three  hundred  and  eighty- six  chains  along  the  Line  of  Lott 
number  Three  to  Hudsons  River  where  stands  two  Hemlock 
bushes  markt  P.  R.  in  a  Gully  between  Bull  Hill  and  Breakneck 
Hill  then  down  the  several  courses  of  Hudsons  River  (Including 
Martler's  Rock)  to  the  place  where  it  first  began  containing 
Eleven  thoiisand  six  hundred  and  Forty  four  Acres.  Lott  Num- 
ber Six  beginning  at  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  Southeast  corner 
of  Lott  Number  Five  in  the  line  of  the  Mannor  of  Courtlandt 
then  North  Ten  Degrees  East  Nine  hundred  and  sixty  chains  to 
a  heap  of  stones  at  the  Northeast  Corner  of  said  Lott  Number 
Five,  then  North  eighty  seven  Degrees  east  Two  hundred  and 
Thirty  nine  Chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones  and  White  Oak  Tree 
markt  P  R  1753  on  the  West  side  of  a  Mountain  twenty  Chains 
east  from  John  Campbells  House,  which  is  the  North  West  corner 
of  Lott  Number  Seven,  then  South  Ten  Degrees  West  nine  hun- 
dred and  seventy  three  Chains  to  a  Hemlock  Tree  markt  P.  R. 
1753  on  the  South  side  of  the  East  Branch  of  Crotens  River  and 
a  heap  of  stones  on  the  north  side  of  said  Branch  in  the  line  of  the 
Mannor  of  Courtlandt  at  the  Soxithwest  corner  of  Lott  Number 
nine  then  West  along  the  Line  of  the  Mannor  of  Courtlandt  two 
hundred  and  thirty  six  Chains  to  the  beginning,  containing  about 
twenty  two  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirty  three  Acrees.  Lott 
number  eigfM  beginning  at  a  heap  of  Stones  in  a  Cleared  Field 
in  the  line  of  Lott  number  Six  being  the  Southwest  corner  of 
Lott  number  Seven  then  running  east  three  hundred  and  thirty 
four  chains  to  a  large  Rock  and  heap  of  Stones  standing  in  the 
Road  two  Chains  South  from  Nathan  Burchams  House  in  the 
Oblong  line,  then  Southerly  along  the  Oblong  line  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  chains  to  a  Chestnut  Bush  markt  P.  R.  1753, 
being  the  Northeast  Corner  of  Lott  Number  nine  then  West 
three  hundred  and  thirty-seven  Chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones  and 
Walnut  Tree  markt  P.  R.  1753  standing  on  the  South  Side  of  a 
Hill  near  the  Old  Meeting  House  in  the  line  of  Lott  number  six, 
from  thence  North  Ten  Degrees  East  three  hundred  and  twenty 
chains  along  the  line  of  said  Lott  number  Six  to  the  beginning, 
containing  about  ten  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirty  five  acres. 
Now  This  Indenture  Witnesseth  that  the  parties  aforesaid  of 
the  first  part  for  and  in  Consideration  of  Mutual  Grants  and  Re- 
leases from  the  said  Philip  Philipse  to  them  the  said  Susannah 


52  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Kobinson  and  Mary  Philipse  and  to  their  Representative  Heirs 
and  Assigns  of  Divers  other  Lotts  and  Parcels  of  Lands  in  and 
by  the  said  recited  Letters  so  as  aforesaid  Granted  and  also  for 
and  in  Consideration  of  the  sum  of  ten  shillings  to  them  in-hand 
paid  by  the  said  Philip  Philipse  the  receit  whereof  they  do  here- 
by acknowledge  and  thereof  and  therefrom  do  acquit  and  dis- 
charge the  said  Philip  Philipse  his  Executors  and  Administra- 
tors have  granted  bargained  sold  aliened  conveyed  Released  and 
Confirmed  and  by  these  presents  do  Grant  Bargain  Sell  aliene 
Convey  Release  and  Confirm  unto  the  said  Philip  Philipse  his 
heirs  and  assigns  all  and  Singular  those  Lotts  and  parcels  of 
Land  before  mentioned  to  belong  to  him  the  said  Philip  Philipse 
as  they  are  above  and  in  the  said  Map  described  and  all  and  Sin- 
gular the  Hereditaments  and  Appurtnances  thereunto  belonging 
or  in  any  wise  appertaining  (Excepting  and  Reserving  out  of 
the  said  Lott  number  two,  two- thirds  of  the  Meadow  Land  one 
of  which  two  thirds  doth  belong  to  the  Lott  and  share  of  the 
said  Susannah  Robinson  and  is  butted  and  bounded  as  follows 
to  witt  beginning  Ten  chains  north  thirty  nine  Degrees  East  from 
a  Large  Pine  Tree  standing  on  a  Rooky  Point  on  the  South  east 
side  of  the  Meadow  Markt  P.  R.  1753  on  the  West  side  and  from 
thence  running  North  West  across  Crooked  Creek  to  the  upland 
upon  Martlers  Rock  then  running  southerly  along  the  Edge  of 
the  Upland  to  Hudsons  River  then  easterly  along  Hudsons 
River  until  the  beginning  bears  North  thirty  nine  Degrees  East 
then  to  the  beginning  place  containing  Seventy  two  Acres  and 
the  other  of  which  doth  belong  to  the  Lott  and  share  of  the  said 
Mary  Philipse  and  butted  and  bounded  as  follows  to  witt  begin- 
ning five  chains  from  the  upland  upon  Danfords  Creek  five 
chains  also  from  the  upland  down  Crooked  Creek  to  the  meadow 
belonging  to  Lott  number  one  then  North  west  to  Martlers  Rock 
then  along  the  upland  the  North  side  of  a  little  Island  in  the 
Meadow  to  the  Mouth  of  Danfords  Creek  then  up  the  said 
Creek  to  the  beginning  containing  Eighty  two  acres)  together 
with  all  the  Woods  Underwoods  Trees  Timber  Feedings  pastures 
Meadows  Marshes  Swamps  jjonds  Water  Courses  Rivers  Rivu- 
lets Runs  and  Streams  of  Water  Fishing  fowling  Hunting  Hawk- 
ing (Excepting  and  Reserving  all  Mines  and  Minerals  whatso- 
ever) standing  growing  lying  being  or  found  or  to  be  used  had 
and  enjoyed  within  the  Bounds  and  Limitts  of  the  respective 
Lotts  and  parcels  of  Land  above  described  and  mentioned  to  be 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  53 

the  Share  of  and  belonging  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse  (except 
and  Reserving  as  before  is  Excepted  and  reserved)  and  all  other 
profitts  Benefits  privileges  Liberties  Advantages  Hereditaments 
and  Appurtenances  whatsoever  unto  the  said  Lotts  or  parcels 
of  Land  Rights  and  Premises  and  each  and  every  of  them  be- 
longing or  in  anyv^ise  appertaining  as  fully  and  eflfectually  to  all 
interests  and  purposes  As  by  the  said  Recited  Letters  Patent  to 
the  said  Adolph  Philipse  the  same  are  granted  and  Conveyed. 
To  have  and  hold  the  said  several  Lotts  or  parcels  of  Land  Right 
and  Premises  with  their  and  every  of  their  Appurtenances  (Ex- 
cept as  before  is  Excepted)  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse  his  heirs 
and  Assigns  to  the  only  proper  use  benefit  and  behoof  of  him 
the  said  Philip  Philipse  his  heirs  and  Assigns  forever  Yielding 
and  paying  therefor  Yearly  and  every  year  his  proportionable 
part  of  the  Quit  rents  in  and  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  re- 
served at  such  time  and  place  as  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  is 
directed  and  appointed  And  he  the  said  Philip  Philipse  for  him- 
self his  heirs  Executors  Administrators  and  Assigns  doth  Cove- 
nant Grant  promise  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  parties  of 
the  first  part  and  every  of  them  and  every  of  their  Executors 
Administrators  and  Assigns  that  he  the  said  Philip  Philipse  his 
heirs  Executors  administrators  or  assigns  shall  and  Yearly  and 
every  Year  forever  hereafter  well  and  truly  yield  render  and  pay 
or  cause  to  be  yielded  rendered  and  paid  unto  his  Majesty  his 
heirs  and  successors  at  the  City  of  New  York  on  the  Annuncia- 
tion of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary  the  full  and  equal  third  part  of 
the  Quit  Rent  in  and  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  reserved  and 
made  payable  that  is  to  say  the  Yearly  Rent  of  Six  Shillings 
and  Eight  pence  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  here- 
of. And  further  that  he  the  said  Philip  Philipse  shall  and  will 
from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  forever  hereafter  well  and  suf- 
ficiently save  harmless  and  keep  indemnified  them  the  said 
parties  of  the  first  part  and  each  and  every  of  them  their  and 
each  and  every  of  their  Goods  and  Chattels  Lands  and  Tene- 
ments of  from  and  against  all  costs  charges  and  damages  which 
may  accrue  or  which  they  or  either  of  them  their  or  either  of 
their  Executors  or  administrators  shall  or  may  happen  to  sus- 
tain by  Reason  or  means  of  his  the  said  Philip  Philipse  not 
paying  the  said  one  third  part  of  the  said  yearly  Quit  rent  as 
aforesaid  according  to  his  Covenant  and  Undertaking  aforesaid 
and  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  these  Presents.     And  the 


54  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

said  Mary  Philipse  for  herself  her  heirs  Executors  and  Admin- 
istrators and  the  said  Beverly  Robinson  for  himself  his  heirs 
executors  Administrators  and  for  the  said  Susannah  his  wife  do 
Severally  and  Respectively  promise  Covenant  and  agree  to  and 
with  the  said  Philip  Philipse  his  heirs  and  assigns  that  they 
severally  have  not  done  any  Act  Matter  or  thing  whereby  the 
premises  hereby  Granted  or  Released  or  any  part  thereof  are  or 
may  be  any  ways  impeached  Charged  or  incumbered  in  Title 
estate  or  otherwise. 

"  In  Witness  whereof  the  said  Parties  to  these  Presents  have 
hereunto  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  Seals  the  Day 
and  Year  first  above  written. 

"  Philip  Philipse.  (L.  S.) 

"  Bev.  Robinson.  (L.  S.) 

"  Susannah  Robinson.  (L.  S.) 
"  Maby  Philipse.  (L.  S.) 

"  Witnesses. 

"  William  Livingston. 

"  Ebenezer  Bryant." 

partition  deed  to  mary  philipse. 

"This  Indenture  made  the  seventh  day  of  February  in  the 
.  Twenty  seventh  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  Lord  Greorge 
the  Second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain  France  and 
Ireland  King  Defender  of  the  faith  &c  Annoq  Domini  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  four  Between  Philip  Philipse 
and  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife  of  the  first  part 
and  Mary  Philipse  of  the  second  Part  Whereas  the  said  Philip 
Philipse  Susannah  Robinson  and  Mary  Philipse  are  and  stand 
seized  in  ffee  simple  in  common  of  all  that  certain  tract  or  par- 
cel of  land  granted  unto  Adolph  Philipse  then  of  the  City  of 
New  York  Merchant  by  his  late  Majesty  King  William  the 
third  by  his  Letters  patent  under  the  Great  Seal  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York  bearing  date  the  seventeenth  day  of  June  in 
the  Year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety 
seven,  in  Dutchess  County  situate  lying  and  being  in  the  high- 
lands on  the  east  side  of  Hudsons  River,  beginning  at  a  cer- 
tain red  cedar  Tree  Marked  on  the  north  side  of  the  Hill  com- 
monly called  Anthonys  Nose  which  is  likewise  the  North 
Bounds  of  Collo  Stephanus  Van  Courtlandts  Land  on  his  Man- 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  55 

nor  of  Courtlandt  and  f rom  thence  bounded  by  the  said  Hadsons 
River  as  the  said  River  runs  northerly  until  it  comes  to  the 
Creek  River  or  Run  of  Water  called  and  known  by  the  name 
of  the  great  Fish  Kill  to  the  Northward  and  above  the  said 
highlands  vs^hich  is  likewise  the  Southward  Bounds  of  another 
Tract  of  Land  belonging  to  the  said  Collo  Stephanus  Courtlandt 
and  Company,  and  so  Easterly  along  the  said  Courtlandts  line 
and  the  south  bounds  of  Collo  Henry  Beekman  until  it  comes 
twenty  Miles  or  unto  the  Division  or  partition  Line  between 
the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  said  Province,  and  Easterly 
by  the  said  Division  Line,  and  being  bounded  northerly  and 
southerly  by  East  and  West  Lines  unto  the  said  Division  Lines 
between  the  said  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Province  afore- 
said, the  whole  being  bounded  Westward  by  the  said  Hudsons 
River,  Northward  by  the  land  of  Collo  Courtlandt  and  Com- 
pany and  the  land  of  Collo  Beekman,  eastward  by  the  partition 
line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Province  of  New 
York,  and  Southerly  the  Mannor  of  Courtlandt  to  tlie  land  of 
the  said  Collo  Courtland,  including  therein  a  certain  Island  at 
the  north  side  of  the  High  Lands  called  Polepels  Island,  vvrith 
the  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  as 
by  the  said  Letters  Patent  relation  being  thereunto  had  may 
more  fully  and  at  large  appear. 

"  And  Whereas  the  said  Parties  to  these  Presents  have  by 
Jonathan  Hampton  their  Surveyor  divided  the  greatest  part  uf 
the  said  Tract  or  parcell  of  land  and  distinguished  the  same  by 
Lotts  made  and  Described,  signed  and  delivered  to  the  said 
parties  by  said  Jonathan  Hampton  and  left  in  the  hands  of 
Beverly  Robinson  party  hereto  for  the  use  of  himself  and  the 
other  parties  to  these  Presents  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  when 
reasonably  thereunto  required  by  any  of  the  other  parties,  their 
heirs  or  assigns  and  in  order  to  an  equal  Division  of  the  same 
have  .according  to  divers  assortments  made  by  the  said  Jona- 
than Hampton  drawn  their  several  Lotts.  Whereupon  the  Lotts 
numbered  Three,  number  Five  Number  Nine  and  one  third  part 
of  the  Meadow  Land  Lying  in  Lott  Number  Two  pretracted 
and  lay'd  down  in  the  said  Map  do  now  belong  to  the  Lotts  and 
share  of  the  said  Mary  Philipse  and  are  butted  and  bounded  to 
Witt,  Lott  number  Three  beginning  at  Two  Hemlock  Bushes 
standing  in  a  gixlly  between  Bull  and  Breakneck  Hills  on  the 
.East  side  of  Hudsons  River,  and  from  thence  running  North 


56  HISTOEY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

seventy  seven  degrees  East  three  hundred  and  eighty  six  chains 
to  a  heap  of  stones  and  walnut  bush  Markt  P.  R.  1753  standing 
in  the  West  Line  of  Lott  number  four  and  is  also  the  northeast 
corner  of  Lott  number  Two,  then  North  ten  Degrees  East  two 
hundred  and  twenty  eight  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  thirty 
links  north  of  a  white  oak  tree  Marked  P  1753  being  the  North 
West  corner  of  Lott  Number  four,  then   South  eighty  seven 
Degrees  West  four  hundred  and  eight  chains  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Fish  Kill  from  thence  down  the  Several  Courses  of  Hud- 
sons  Eiver  to    the  beginning,  including  Pollaples  Island,  con- 
taining about  eight  thousand  six  hundred  acres.    Lott  number 
five  beginning  at  a  heap  of  Stones  in  the  line  of   the  Mannor  of 
Courtlandt  at  the  Southeast  corner  of  Lott  number  four,  then 
North  ten  degrees  East  nine  hundred  and  forty  seven  Chains  to 
a  heap  of  Stones  at  the  North  East  Corner  of  Lott  number  four, 
Then  North  eighty  seven  Degrees  East  three  hundred  and  forty 
four  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  which  is  the  North  West  corner 
of  Lott  number  Six  Then  South  Ten  Degrees  West  along  the 
Line  of  Lott  Number  Six  nine  hundred  and  Sixty  Chains  to  a 
heap  of  Stones  in  the  line  of  the  Mannor  Courtlandt  at  the 
South  West  corner  of  Lott  number   Six,  Then  West  along  the 
line  of  the  Mannor  of  Courtlandt  Three  hundred  and  forty 
Chains  to  the  beginning,  containing  about  thirty  one  thousand 
two  hundred  acres.     Lott  number  nine  beginning  at  a  Hemlock 
Tree  standing  on  the  south  side  of  the  East  Branch  of  Croton 
River  and  a  heap  of  stones  on  the  North  side  which  is  also  the 
South  east  corner  of  Lott  Number  six  in  the  line  of   the  Man- 
nor Courtlandt,  from  thence  running  North  Ten  Degrees  East 
three  hundred  and  Thirty  three  Chains  to  a  heap  of   stones  and 
Walnut  Tree  Marked  P.  R.  1753  on  the  south  side  of  a  Hill 
near  an  Old  Meeting  House  in  the  line  of   Lott  number   Six 
being  the  South  West  corner  of  Lott  number  Eight,  then  East 
Along  the  Line  of  Lott  number  eight  three  hundred  and  Thirty 
Seven  Chains  to  a  Chestnut  Bush  Markt  F.  R.   1753   Standing 
in  the  Oblong  line  on  the  West  Side  of  a   Rocky  Hill  which  is 
the  Southeast  Corner  of  Lott  Number  eight,  then  southerly  as 
the  Oblong  line  runs  Three  hundred  and  thirty  three  chains  to 
the  North  East  Corner  of   the  Mannor  of  Courtlandt  in  Peach 
Pond,  then  West  along  the  said  Mannor  of  Courtlandt  Three 
hundred  and  thirty  six  chains  to  the  beginning.  Containing 
about  eleven  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres.     And 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  57 

one  third  part  of  the  meadow  Land  lying  in  Lott  Number  Two, 
Beginning  Two  chains  from  the  upland  upon  Danfords  Creek 
and  running  to  Crooked  Creek  five  Chains  from  the  upland  then 
down  Crooked  Creek  to  the  Meadow  belonging  to  Lott  Number 
one  then  North  West  to  Martlers  Rock,  then  along  the  upland 
the  North  side  of  a  little  Island  in  the  Meadow  to  the  Mouth  of 
Danfords  Creek,  then  up  the  said  Creek  to  the  beginning,  con- 
taining about  eighty  two  acres.  Now  this  Indenture  Witness- 
eth  that  the  parties  aforesaid  of  the  first  part  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  mutual  Grants  and  Releases  from  the  said  Mary 
Ph  ilipse  to  them  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  Susannah  Rob- 
inson and  to  their  respective  Heirs  and  Assigns  of  Divers  other 
Lotts  and  parcels  of  land  in  and  by  the  said  recited  Letters 
Patent  so  as  aforesaid  Granted  and  also  for  and  in  Consideration 
of  the  sum  of  Ten  Shillings  to  them  in  hand  paid  by  the  said 
Mary  Philipse  the  receit  whereof  they  do  hereby  acknowledge 
and  thereof  and  therefrom  do  acquit  and  discharge  the  said 
Mary  Philipse  her  Executors  and  Administrators  Have  Granted 
Bargained  Sold  aliened  Conveyed  released  and  Confirmed  and 
by  these  Presents  do  Grant  bargain  Sell  Alien  convey  Release 
and  confirm  unto  the  said  Mary  Philipse  her  heirs  and  Assigns 
all  and  singular  those  Lotts  and  Parcels  of  Land  before  men- 
tioned to  belong  to  her  the  said  Mary  Philipse  as  they  are 
above  and  in  the  said  Map  described  and  all  and  Singular  the 
Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  or  in 
anywise  appertaining  with  all  woods  underwoods  Trees  Timber 
Feedings  Pastures  Meadows  Marshes  Swamps  Ponds  Pools 
Water  Water  Courses  Rivers  Rivulets  Runs  and  Streams  of 
Water  Fishing  Fowling  Hunting  Hawking  (Excepting  and  re- 
serving all  Mines  and  Minerals  Whatsoever)  standing  Growing 
lying  being  or  found  or  to  be  used  had  or  enjoyed  within  the 
Bounds  and  Limits  of  the  Respective  Lotts  and  parcells  of  Land 
above  described  and  mentioned  to  be  the  share  of  and  to  belong 
to  the  said  Mary  Philipse  and  all  other  profits  benefits  privi- 
leges Libertys  advantages  Hereditaments  and  Appurtenances 
whatsoever  unto  the  said  Lotts  or  parcells  of  Land  rights  and 
premises  and  each  and  every  of  them  belonging  or  in  anywise 
Appertaining  as  fully  and  Effectually  to  all  intents,  and  purposes 
as  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  the 
same  are  Granted  and  conveyed  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said 
several  Lotts  or  parcells  of  Land  rights  and  premises  with  their 


58  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  every  of  their  Appurtenances  Except  as  before  is  Excepted 
to  the  said  Mary  Philipse  her  heirs  and  Assigns  to  the  only 
proper  use  benefit  and  Behoof  of  her  the  said  Mary  Philipse 
her  heirs  and  Assigns  forever  Yielding  and  paying  therefore 
yearly  and  every  year  her  proportionable  part  of  the  Quit  Rents 
in  and  by  the  said  Letters  Patents  reserved  at  such  time  and 
place  as  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  is  directed  and  appointed 
And  she  the  said  Mary  Philipse  for  herself  her  heirs  Executors 
Administrators  and  Assigns  doth  Covenant  Grant  promise  and 
agree  to  and  with  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part  and  every  of 
them  and  every  of  their  heirs  Executors  Administrators  and 
Assigns  that  she  the  said  Mary  Philipse  her  heirs  Executors 
Administrators  or  Assigns  shall  and  Will  Yearly  and  every 
year  forever  hereafter  w^ell  and  truely  yield  render  and  pay  or 
cause  to  be  Yielded  rendered  and  paid  unto  his  Majesty  his 
Heirs  and, Successors  at  the  City  of  New  York  on  the  Feast  day 
of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  the  full  and 
equal  third  part  of  the  Quit  Rent  in  and  by  the  said  Letters  Pat- 
ent reserved  and  made  Payable,  that  is  to  say  the  yearly  Rent 
of  six  shillings  and  eight  pence  according  to  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  hereof,  and  further  that  she  the  said  Mary  Philipse 
shall  and  Will  from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  Forever  here- 
after Well  and  sufficiently  save  harmless  and  keep  indempni- 
fied  them  the  said  Parties  of  the  first  Part  and  Each  and  every 
of  them  their  and  each  and  every  of  their  goods  and  Chattels 
Lands  and  Tenements  of  from  and  against  all  costs  Charges  and 
Damages  which  may  accrue  or  which  they  or  either  of  them 
their  or  either  of  their  Executors  or  Administrators  shall  or 
may  happen  to  sustain  by  reason  or  means  of  her  the  said  Mary 
Philipse  not  paying  the  said  one  third  part  of  the  said  yearly 
Quit  rent  as  aforesaid  according  to  her  Covenant  and  Under- 
taking aforesaid  and  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning 
of  these  Presents.  And  tlie  said  Philip  Philipse  for  himself 
his  heirs  Executors  and  Administrators  and  the  said  Beverly 
Robinson  for  himself  his  heirs  Executors  and  Administrators 
and  for  the  said  Susannah  his  Wife  do  Severally  and  respec- 
tively Promise  Covenant  and  Agree  to  and  with  the  said  Mary 
Philipse  her  heirs  and  Assigns  that  they  severally  have  not  done 
any  Act  Matter  or  thing  whereby  the  Premise:s  hereby  Granted 
or  Released  or  any  part  thereof  are  or  may  be  anyways  im- 
peached charged  or  incumbered  in  Title  Estate  oi^  otherwise. 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  69 

"  In  Witness  whereof  the  said  Parties  to  these  Presents  have 
hereunto  Interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  Seals  the  day  and 
year  first  above  written. 

"  Philip  Philipse.         (L.  S.) 
"  Bev.  Robinson.  (L.  S.) 

"  Susannah  Robinson.  (L.  S.) 
"  Mary  Philipse.  (L.  S.)" 

partition  deed. 

"  Mary  Philipse  and  Philip  Philipse  to  Beverly  Robinson  and 
Susannah  Robinson. 

"This  Indenture,  made  the  seventh  day  of  February,  in  the 
twenty-seventh  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George 
the  Second,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britian  and  Ireland 
and  France  King,  defender  of  the  faith,  etc.,  Annoque.  Domini 
1754,  between  Philip  Philipse  and  Mary  Philipse  of  the  first 
part,  and  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah,  Ms  wife  of  the 
second  part.  Whereas  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  Susannah 
Robinson  and  Mary  Philipse  are  and  stand  seized  in  fee  simple 
in  common,  of  all  that  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  granted 
unto  Adolph  Philipse,  then  of  the  City  of  New  York,  mer- 
chant, by  his  late  Majesty,  King  William  the  Third,  by  his 
letters  patent  under  the  great  seal  of  the  Province  of  New 
York,  bearing  date  the  seventeenth  day  of  June,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  ninety-seven,  in 
Dutchess  County,  scituate,  lying  and  being  in  the  highlands  on 
the  east  side  of  Hudson  River,  beginning  at  a  certain  red  cedar 
tree  marked  on  the  east  side  of  the  hill,  commonly  called  An- 
thony's Nose,  which  is  likewise  the  north  bounds  of  Coll. 
Stephen  Van  Courtlandt's  land  or  his  manor  of  Courtlandt  and 
thence  bounded  by  the  said  Hudson's  River,  as  the  said  river 
runs  northerly  until  it  comes  to  the  Creek,  river,  or  run  of  water 
called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  Great  Fishkill  river,  to 
the  northward  and  above  the  high  lands  which  is  likewise  the 
southward  bounds  of  another  tract  of  land  belonging  to  the 
said  Coll.  Stephanus  Courtlandt  and  Company,  and  so  easterly 
along  the  said  Courtlandt  line  and  the  south  jbounds  of  another 
tract  of  land  belonging  to  the  said  Coll.  Stephanus  Courtlandt 
and  Company,  and  so  easterly  along  the  said  Courtlandt  line 
and  the  south  bounds  of  Col.  Henry  Beekman,  until  it  comes 
twenty  miles  or  unto  the  division  or  partition  line  between  the 


60  HISTORY   0¥   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  said  Province,  and  easterly  by 
the  said  division  line,  and  being  t)ounded  northerly  and  south- 
erly by  east  and  west  lines,  unto  the  said  division  line  between 
the  said  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Province  of  New  York 
aforesaid,  the  whole  being  bounded  westward  by  the  same 
Hudson's  river,  northward  by  the  land  of  Coll.  Cortlandt  and 
Company  and  the  land  of  Coll.  Beekman,  eastward  by  the 
partition  line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Prov- 
ince of  New  York,  and  southerly  by  the  manor  of  Cortlandt, 
to  the  land  of  the  said  Coll.  Cortlandt,  including  therein  a 
certain  island  at  the  north  side  of  the  said  high  land  called 
Pollepels  Island,  with  the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances 
thereunto  belonging  as  by  said  letters  patent  relation  being 
thereunto  had,  may  more  fully  and  at  large  appear. 

' '  And  whereas  the  said  parties  to  these  presents  have,  by 
Jonathan  Hampton,  their  surveyor,  divided  the  greatest  part  of 
the  said  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  and  distinguished  them  by  lots 
made  and  described,  signed  and  delivered  to  the  said  parties  by 
the  said  Jonathan  Hampton,  and  left  in  the  hands  of  Beverly 
Robinson,  party  hereto,  for  the  use  of  himself  and  other  par- 
ties hereto,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  when  reasonably  thereunto 
required  by  any  of  the  other  parties,  their  heirs  and  assigns, 
and  in  order  to  an  equal  division  of  the  same  have,  according 
to  divers  assortments  made  by  the  said  Jonathan  Hampton 
drawn  their  several  lotts  thereupon  the  lotts  number  one,  num- 
ber four  and  number  seven,  and  one  third  part  of  the  meadow 
land  lying  in  lott  number  two  protracted  and  laid  down  in  the 
said  map  do  now  belong  to  the  lott  and  share  of  the  said 
Susannah  Kobinson,  and  are  butted  and  bounded  as  follows,  to 
wit:  lot  number  one,  beginning  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's 
river  at  the  north  side  of  Anthony's  Nose,  at  the  corner  of  the 
Manor  of  Courtlandt,  and  running  east  along  the  line  of  the 
said  Manor  three  hundred  and  sixty  chains  to  a  white  oak  tree 
marked  with  P.  1753,  on  the  north  side,  then  north  ten  degrees, 
east  three  hundred  and  forty  chains  to  a  chestnut  tree  marked 
P.  R.,  1753,  on  the  west  side,  standing  on  the  east  side  of  a 
steep,  rocky  mountain  (which  is  the  southeast  corner  of  lott 
number  two)  then  south  seventy-five  degrees,  west  one  hundred 
seventy-four  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  a  high  hill,  then 
north  sixty-five  degrees,  west  eighty- three  chains  to  a  pine  tree 
standing  by  said  Hudson's  river,   marked  P.  R.,  by  a  heap  of 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  61 

Stones  twenty  two  chains  below  a  rock  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Old  Wife,  lying  in  the  mouth  of  a  brook,  then 
down  the  several  courses  of  Hudson's  river  to  the  place  where 
it  first  began,  containing  nine  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
eighty-four  acres.  Lot  number  four,  beginning  at  the  aforesaid 
white  oak  tree  marked  P.  1753,  standing  on  the  line  of  Manor 
of  Courtlandt  three  hundred  and  sixty  chains,  east  from  Hud- 
son's river  at  the  beginning  of  lott  number  one  on  the  north 
side  of  Anthony's  Nose,  and  which  is  also  the  southeast  corner 
of  said  lot  number  one,  and  from  thence  running  north  ten 
degrees,  east  nine  hundred  and  twenty-five  chains  to  a  heap  of 
stones  thirty  links  north  from  a  white  oak  tree  marked  P.  1753, 
on  the  south  side,  which  is  the  northeast  corner  of  lot  number 
three  and  is  four  hundred  and  eight  chains  (on  a  north  eighty- 
seven  degrees  east  course)  from  the  mouth  of  the  Fishkill, 
thence  north  eighty-seven  degrees,  east  four  hundred  and  three 
chains  to  a  monument  made  with  a  heap  of  stones,  which  is  the 
northwest  corner  of  lott  number  five,  thence  south  ten  degrees, 
west  nine  hundred  and  forty-seven  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  in 
the  line  of  the  Manor  of  Courtlandt  which  is  also  the  southwest 
corner  of  lot  number  five,  then  west  along  the  line  of  said 
Manor,  four  hundred  chains  to  the  beginning,  containing  thirty- 
seven  thousand  acres.  Lott  number  seven,  beginning  at  a  white 
oak  tree  marked  P.  R.  1753,  and  a  heap  of  stones  on  the  west 
side  of  a  hill  twenty  chains  east  from  John  Campbell's,  being 
the  northeast  of  lot  number  six,  then  running  north  eighty- 
seven  degrees,  east  three  hundred  and  thirty-six  chains  to  a 
heap  of  stones  in  the  oblong  line  in  a  road  near  Justice  Havi- 
land's,  thence  southerly  along  the  oblong  line  three  hundred 
and  thirty-eight  chains  to  a  large  rock  and  heap  of  stones 
standing  in  the  road  about  two  chains  south  from  Nathan  Bur- 
cham's  house,  then  west  three  hundred  and  thirty-four  chains 
to  a  heap  of  stones  standing  in  a  cleared  field  in  the  line  of  lott 
number  six,  then  along  the  said  line  of  lott  number  six,  north 
ten  degrees,  east  three  hundred  and  twenty  chains  to  the  begin- 
ning, containing  ten  thousand  nine  hundred  and  twenty-two 
acres,  and  one-third  part  of  the  meadow  land  lying  in  lot  num- 
ber two,  beginning  ten  chains  north,  thirty- nine  degrees  east 
from  a  large  pine  tree  (standing  on  a  rocky  point  on  the  south- 
east side  of  the  meadow)  marked  P.  R.  1758,  on  the  west  side 
and  from  thence  running  northwest  across  a  crooked  creek  to 


62  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  upland  upon  Martlers  Rock,  then  running  southerly  along 
the  edge  of  the  upland  to  Hudson's  river,  then  easterly  along 
Hudson's  river  until  the  beginning  bears  north    thirty-nine 
degrees  east,  then  to  the  beginning  place,   containing  seventy- 
tviro  acres;  now  this  Indenture  witnesseth  that  the  parties  afore- 
said of  the  first  part,  for  and  in  consideration  of  mutual  grants 
and  releases  from  the  said  parties  of  the  second,   to  them  the 
said  Philip  Philipse  and  Mary  Philipse,  and  to  their  respective 
heirs  and  assigns,  of  divers  other  lots  and  parcels  of  land  in 
and  by  the  said  recited  letters  patent  so  as  aforesaid  granted 
and  also  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  ten  shillings 
to    them  in  hand  paid  by  the  said   parties  of   the    second 
part,    the    receipt    whereof     they    do    hereby    acknowledge 
and    thereof    and    therefrom    do  acquit    and    discharge    the 
said    parties    of     the    second     part,     their     executors    and 
administrators,     have     granted,      bargained,      sold,     aliened, 
conveyed,    released,    and    confirmed    and    by   these    presents 
do    grant,  bargain,    sell,    alien,   convey,    release,    and  confirm 
unto    the    said    Susannah    Robinson,    her    heirs   and   assigns 
all  and  singular,  those  lots  and  parcels  of  land  above-mentioned 
to  belong  to  the  said  Susannah  Robinson  as  they  are  above  and 
in  the  said  map  described,  and  all  and  singular  the  heredita- 
ments and  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  or  in  any  wise  ap- 
pertaining, together  with  all  and  singular  the  woods,  under- 
woods, trees,   timbers,  feedings,  pastures,   meadows,  marshes, 
swamps,  ponds,  pools,  waters,  watercourses,  rivers,  brooks,  riv- 
ulets, runs  and  streams  of  water,  fishing, fowling,  hunting,  hawk- 
ing (excepting  and  reserving  all  mines  and  minerals  whatsoever), 
standing,  growing,  lying,  being  or  found  or  to  be  used,  had  or 
enjoyed,  within  the  bounds  and  limits  of  the  respective  lotts  or 
parcels  of  land  above  described  and  mentioned  to  be  the  share 
of  and  to  belong  to  the  said  Susannah  Robinson,  and  all  other 
profitts,    benefits,    privileges,    liberties,    advantages,    heredita- 
ments and  appurtenances  whatsoever  unto  the  said  lots  or  par- 
cels of  land,  rights  and  premises,  and  each  and  every  of  them 
belonging  or  in  any  wise  appertaining  as  fully  and  effectually 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  by  the  said  recited  letters  patent 
to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse,  the  same  are  granted  and  conveyed, 
to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  several  lotts  and  parcels  of  land, 
rights  and  premises,  with  their  and  every  of  their  appurtenances 
(except  as  before  is  excepted)  unto  the  said  Susannah  Robinson, 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  63 

her  beirs  and  assigns  to  the  only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof 
of  her  the  said  Susannah  Robinson,  her  heirs  and  assigns  for- 
ever. Yielding  and  paying  therefore  yearly  and  every  year  her 
proportionate  part  of  the  quit  rents,  in  and  by  the  said  letters 
patent  reserved  at  such  time  and  place  as  by  the  said  letters 
patent  is  directed  and  appointed.  And  the  said  Beverly  Rob- 
inson, for  himself,  his  heirs,  executors,  administrators,  and  as- 
signs, and  for  the  said  Susannah,  his  vpife,  doth  covenant,  grant, 
promise  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part, 
and  every  of  them,  and  every  of  their  heirs,  executors,  admin- 
strators  and  assigns,  that  she,  the  said  Susannah  Robinson,  her 
heirs,  executors,  administrators  or  assigns,  shall  and  will  yearly 
and  every  year  forever  hereafter,  well  and  truly  yield,  render 
and  pay  or  cause  or  procure  to  be  yielded,  rendered  and  jjaid 
unto  his  Majesty,  his  heirs,  and  successors,  at  the  City  of  New 
York  on  the  Feast  Day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  the  full  and  equal  third  part  of  the  quit  rent  in 
and  by  the  said  letters  patent,  reserved  and  made  payable,  that 
is  to  say,  the  yearly  rent  of  six  shillings  and  eight  pence,  ac- 
cording to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  hereof.  And  further 
that  the  said  Susannah  Robinson  shall  and  will  from  time  to 
time,  and  at  all  times  forever  hereafter  well  and  sufficiently  save 
harmless  and  keep  indempnified,  them,  the  said  parties  of  the 
first  part,  and  each  and  every  of  them,  their,  and  each  and 
every  of  their  goods,  and  chattels,  lands  and  tenements,  of  from 
and  against  all  costs,  charges  and  damages  which  may  accrue  or 
which  they  or  either  of  them,  their,  or  either  of  their  executors 
or  administrators  shall  or  may  happen  to  sustain  by  reason  or 
means  of  her  the  said  Susannah  Robinson,  not  paying  the  said 
one-third  part  of  the  said  yearly  quit  rent,  as  aforesaid,  accord- 
ing to  his,  the  said  Beverly  Robinson's  covenant  and  undertak- 
ing aforesaid,  and  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  these  pres- 
ents, and  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  for  themselves  sev- 
erally and  respectively,  and  for  their  several  and  respective  heirs, 
executors  and  administrators,  do  promise,  covenant  and  agree 
to  and  with  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  that  they  sever- 
ally have  not  done  any  act,  matter  or  thing  whereby  the  prem- 
ises hereby  granted  or  released,  or  anj^  part  thereof  are  or  may 
be  anyway  impeached,  charged  or  incumbered  in  title,  estate  or 
otherwise  howsoever.     In  witness  whereof,  the  parties  to  these 


64  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

presents  have  hereunto  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and 
seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

'•  Philip  Philipse.  (L.  S.) 

"  Bbv.  Robinson.  (L.  S.) 

"  Susannah  Robinson.  (L.  S.) 

"  Maky  Philipse.  (L.  S.)" 

The  foregoing  deeds  _are  all  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  secre- 
tary of  State,  in  Albany.  It  will  be  noticed  that  all  the  mines 
and  minerals  are  reserved  in  each  of  the  deeds,  and  consequently 
they  remained  undivided  property.  It  is  upon  this  reservation 
that  the  claim  of  the  present  representatives  of  the  Philipse 
family  to  one-third  of  the  minerals  in  the  county  is  based. 

On  the  20th  of  February  1754,  Susannah  Robinson  and  Bev^ 
erly  Robinson  executed  a  deed  conveying  to  William  Living- 
ston "  all  the  lands  set  apart  to  Susannah  Robinson  by  parti- 
tion deeds,  except  mines  and  minerals."  Two  days  later 
William  Livingston  conveyed  the  same  to  Beverly  Robinson, 
and  he  remained  the  owner  till  the  Revolution. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE   WAPPINGER   INDIANS  AND  THEIR   CONTROVERSY   WITH 
THE  HEIRS  OFADOLPH  PHILIPSE. 

WHEN  the  white  men  first  landed  on  American  soil,  they 
found  the  land  inhabited  by  a  race  whose  origin  is 
wrapped  in  utter  obscurity.  The  most  extended  researches  of 
the  antiquarian  and  philologist  have  failed  to  cast  any  certain 
light  upon  this  problem,  and  whence  came  the  red  man  is  as 
much  a  question  now,  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  Columbus.  To 
narrate  the  various  theories  and  speculations  upon  this  subject 
would  require  a  volume.  Some  have  endeavored  to  prove  by 
learned  argument  that  in  them  are  found  the  lost  tribes  of 
Israel;  others,  led  by  the  fancied  analogy  of  a  few  wc>rds  in 
their  language,  have  given  ready  faith  to  the  belief  that  they 
are  the  descendants  of  a  Welsh  colony,  transported  to  these 
shores  in  a  day  long  gone  by,  and  in  a  manner  utterly  un- 
known. That  they  are  the  offspring  of  tribes,  who,  in  ages  past, 
by  some  means  found  a  passage  to  the  New  World  by  the  way 
of  Behring's  Strait,  has  not  failed  to  find  believers;  while  others 
still,  despairing  of  finding  any  reasonable  proof  of  their  migra- 
tion from  other  continents,  have  yielded  to  the  conclusion  that 
they  are  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  the  soil,  and  the  veritable 
children  of  what  the  Greeks  were  so  fond  ot  calling,  "All-pro- 
ducing earth,"  and  "Earth  mother  of  all  things."  All  these 
varied  speculations  we  will  leave  to  those  who  delight  in  the 
unknown  and  the  marvelous;  it  is  enough  for  us  to  know  the 
simple  story  of  the  tribe  who  once  owned  the  land  we  now  in- 
habit, but  have  passed  away,  leaving  but  the  shadow  of  a  name. 
The  vessel  which  bore  the  great  navigator  Hudson  had  scarcely 
entered  the  Narrows,  when  there  came  on  board  the  natives  of 
the  newly  discovered  land,  "clothed  in  mantles  of  feathers, 
and  robes  of  fur,  the  women  clothed  in  hemp;  red  copper  to- 

5 


66  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

bacco  pipes,  and  other  things  of  copper  they  did  wear  about 
their  necks."  They  evidently  came  with  thoughts  of  peace 
for  "  of  arms  they  brought  none,"  but  still  "  he  did  not  trust 
them."  A  boat  which  he  sent  up  the  river  the  next  day  was  at- 
tacked on  its  return,  and  one  of  the  English  sailors,  John  Cole- 
man, was  killed  by  an  arrow  shot  in  his  throat.  He  was  buried 
on  the  adjacent  beach,  and  was  the  first  white  victim  of  an  In- 
dian weapon,  in  the  region  of  the  Hudson.  On  his  voyage 
up  the  river  he  met  with  many  tribes  and  seems  to  have  received 
a  cordial  welcome.  When  he  had  passed  through  the  High- 
lands on  his  return  his  vessel  was  becalmed  opposite  Stony 
Point,  and  then  "the  people  of  the  mountains"  came  on 
board  and  "wondered  at  the  ship  and  the  weapons."  One 
canoe  came  to  the  stern,  and  its  occupant  was  detected  in  steal- 
ing "  a  pillow  and  two  shirts  and  two  bandoliers."  A  well  di- 
rected shot  struck  him  in  the  breast  and  he  was  killed.  When 
they  had  continued  their  voyage  and  were  near  Manhattan 
Island,  another  conflict  occurred,  and  a  volley  of  arrows  fired 
at  the  ship  was  returned  by  a  discharge  of  musketry  "  which 
killed  two  or  three  of  them  :"  and  thus  the  first  chapter  of  the 
history  of  New  York  was  stained  with  blood,  and  a  war  began 
which,  with  occasional  intervals  of  partial  peace,  continued  till 
the  native  tribes  were  so  utterly  extinguished  that  to-day  the 
few  relics  of  the  race  are  objects  of  interest  and  curiosity. 

The  Indians  who  inhabited  the  shores  of  the  Hudson  River 
were  of  one  race  and  of  one  language,  with  the  exception  of 
slight  dialectic  peculiarities.  Under  the  name  of  Algonquins, 
were  included  the  various  tribes  that  inhabited  New  England, 
Long  Island,  the  eastern  portion  of  New  York  and  regions  to 
the  south.  The  tribe  that  claimed  the  land  now  embraced  in 
Dutchess  and  Putnam  and  extending  to  the  north  as  far  as 
Roeloff  Jansen's  Kill,  in  Columbia  county,  were  known  as  the 
Wappingers,  a  name  which  appears  under  several  different 
forms.  The  afiidavit  of  King  Nimham,  dated  October  13th,  1730, 
states  that  ■'  the  deponent  is  a  River  Indian  of  the  tribe  of  the 
Wappinoes,  which  tribe  was  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  the 
eastern  shore  of  Hudson's  river,  from  the  city  of  New  York  to 
about  the  middle  of  Beekman's  Patent,"  that  "another  tribe 
of  River  Indians  called  the  Mahiccondas  were  the  ancient  in- 
habitants of  the  remaining  eastern  shore  of  the  river,  and  these 
two  tribes  constituted  one  nation."     Thev  were  in  fact  one  of 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  67 

the  tribal  divisions  of  the  Mahicaus,  whose  name  is  known,  not 
only  in  the  prosaic  pages  of  history,  but  is  embellished  with  all 
the  .charms  of  romance,  by  the  matchless  genius  of  the  greatest 
of  American  novelists. 

The  Wappingers  were  divided  into  chieftaincies,  and  of  these 
one  was  the  Nochpeems,'  who  were  said  to  occupy  the  high- 
lands north  of  Anthony's  Nose.  Van  der  Donck,  one  of  the 
earliest  writers  of  this  portion  of  the  countr3^  assigns  them 
three  villages  on  the  Hudson;  Keskistkonck,  Pasquasheck  and 
IS'ochpeems;  but  their  principal  village  was  Canopns,  which  was 
situated  in  a  valley  which  is  one  of  the  most  important  topo- 
graphical features  of  Putnam  county,  and  known  as  Canopus 
Hollow.  The  principal  residence  of  the  tribe  was  north  of  the 
Highlands,  and  on  the  borders  of  the  Wappingers  Creek;  but 
that  they  were  generally  included  in  the  name  of  Highland  In- 
dians, is  shown  by  a  sentence  in  a  letter  from  Grovernor  Love- 
lace to  Grovernor  Winthrop,  December  29th,  1669: 

"  I  believe  I  can  resolve  your  doubt  concerning  what  is  meant 
by  Highland  Indians  amongst  us.  The  Wappingers  and  Wick- 
eskect,  etc.,  have  always  been  reckoned  so." 

Of  all  their  possessions  there  are  but  few  perfect  transfer 
titles  on  record  and  one  is  a  deed  by  which  "  Sackereghkigh  for 
himself  and  in  the  name  of  Megrieskiu  Sachem  of  the  Wap- 
pinger  Indians,"  and  other  Indians  sold  the  land  included  in  the 
Rumbout  Patent.  The  original  deed  by  which  the  land  in  Put- 
nam county  was  conveyed  to  Borland  and  Seabrant,  who  trans- 
ferred their  title  to  Adolph  Philipse,  is  still  in  existence,  and 
our  knowledge  of  the  facts  connected  with  it  is  derived  not 
only  from  this,  but  from  the  statements  made  in  the  documents 
concerning  the  claim  of  the  Sachem  David  Nimham.  All  men- 
tion of  this  tribe  seems  to  indicate  that  they  were  of  a  warlike 
and  savage  nature.  At  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  war  against 
the  Dutch,  in  1643,  "Pachem  a  crafty  man,  ran  through  all  the 
villages  urging  the  Indians  to  a  general  massacre."  "The  first 
aggressive  act  was  by  the  Wappingers,  who  seized  a  boat  coming 
from  Fort  Orange,  killed  two  men  and  took  four  hundred 
beaver  skins."  It  was  only  after  a  sanguinary  struggle  that  the 
various  tribes  were  subdued,  and  in  1645,  a  treaty  was  concluded 
between  the  Dutch  and  the  various  River  Indians,  among  whom 
were  included  the  "  Wappinex."     This  treaty  continued  till  the 

'  Ruttenber,  "  Indian  Tribes  of  Hudson's  River,"  page  80. 


68  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COITNTY. 

time  of  the  English  conquest,  though  they  were  frequently  en- 
couraged to  unite  with  other  tribes  in  a  general  revolt.  After 
the  conquest  of  1664,  every  eflEort  was  made  by  the  English  to 
remove  the  cause  which  had  led  to  so  much  trouble  under  the 
Dutch,  and  one  agreement,  which  was  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance, was  that  no  purchase  of  land  of  the  Indians  should  be 
esteemed  a  good  title,  without  leave  first  had  and  obtained  from 
the  governor,  and  that  after  such  leave  the  purchaser  should 
bring  before  the  governor  "  the  Sachem  or  right  owner,"  to 
acknowledge  satisfaction  and  payment,  when  all  proceedings 
should  be  entered  on  record,  and  constitute  a  valid  title.  Their 
adherence  to  the  English  is  shown  by  the  fact  that,  in  the  war 
with  the  French,  in  1689,  the  Wappingers  or  "Indians  of  the 
long  reach  "  as  they  were  called,  accepted  an  invitation  to  take 
part  in  the  war,  and  with  their  head  sachem  and  all  the  males 
of  the  tribe  able  to  bear  arms,  went  to  Albany  and  thence  to  the 
field.  Throughout  the  long  struggle  between  the  French  and 
English,  the  Wappingers  bore  an  important  part.  Moving  their 
families  to  Stockbridge,  they  furnished  a  corps  of  about  three 
hundred  in  the  war  of  1754,  and  after  the  war  "  they  demanded 
restitution  from  the  Abenaquis  for  the  loss  of  one  of  their 
number,  and  delayed  the  consummation  of  peace  with  them  till 
1762."     In  1774,  Governor  Tryon  writes: 

"  The  river  tribes  have  become  so  scattered  and  so  addicted 
to  wandering  that  no  certain  account  of  their  numbers  can  be 
obtained.  These  tribes,  the  Wappingers  of  Dutchess  county, 
etc.,  have  generally  been  denominated  River  Indians  and  con- 
sist of  about  three  hundred  fighting  men.  Most  of  these  people 
at  present  profess  Christianity  and  as  far  as  in  their  power 
adopt  our  customs,  the  greater  part  of  them  attended  the  army 
in  the  late  war." 

As  the  name  of  Wappingers  has  passed  into  history,  it  may 
be  proper  here  to  add  a  word  as  to  its  origin  and  significance. 
The  name  has  been  greatly  corrupted  from  its  original  form.  It 
is  supposed  to  be  derived  from  the  words  WaJium,  east;  and 
aoJci,  land  or  j)lace;  and  as  applied  to  the  Indians  themselves 
may  be  rendered  Eastlanders,  or  men  of  the  east. 

After  the  peace  a  remnant  of  the  tribe  returned  to  the  vicinity 
of  its  old  abiding  place,  and  found  the  whole  region  sparsely 
settled  by  tenants  of  the  landed  proprietors  to  whom  the  lands 
had  been  granted  by  the  crown.  There  was  no  place  in  which 
they  could  stay  in  peace.     The  good  lands  had  of  course  been 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  69 

the  first  to  be  occupied  by  the  whites,  whose  advancing  settle- 
ments elbowed  the  Indians  out  of  all  except  the  rocks  and 
morasses.  Whether,  strictly  speaking,  the  Indians  were 
wronged  may  be  a  question.  But  they  were  destitute,  and  saw 
themselves  more  and  more  closely  hemmed  in  by  those  who 
occupied  the  lands  they  had  once  possessed.  And,  sometimes 
aided  by  sympathizing  whites,  too  often  instigated  by  designing 
ones,  such  was  the  basis  of  the  controversies  that  long  dis- 
turbed the  frontier.  With  regard  to  the  Philipse  settlements 
these  were  of  great  historic  interest.  Upon  the  return  of  the 
Wappingers  in  1762,  they  found  their  lands  in  possession  of 
the  heirs  of  Adolph  Philipse.  Some  of  the  papers  relating  to 
the  controversy  are  still  in  existence  in  the  office  of  the  secre- 
tary of  State  and  in  the  papers  of  the  Philipse  family,  and  as 
they  have  never  appeared  in  print,  no  apology  is  offered  for 
presenting  them  somewhat  in  full.  In  addition  to  the  state- 
ment of  the  claims  certain  incidental  allusions  throw  great  light 
upon  the  early  settlement  of  the  eastern  portion  of  the  county. 
About  1763  a  number  of  the  Philipse  tenants  renounced  their 
leases  and,  taking  others  from  the  Indians,  continued  to  occupy 
the  land  but  refused  to  pay  rent  to  those  claiming  under  the 
patentee,  who  brought  ejectment  and  succeeded  in  ousting  the 
occupants.  But  the  defeated  tenant  was  invariably  irresponsible, 
the  Indians  more  so,  and,  though  successful  from  a  legal  point 
of  view,  the  Philipse  representatives  found  themselves  put  to 
great  and  increasing  harrassment  and  expense.  Suits  at  law 
having  thus  proved  an  inefficient  remedy,  under  advice  of  their 
counsel,  William  Livingston  and  James  Duane — both  soon  to 
become  so  famous — thej^  decided  to  appeal  to  the  Chancery 
jurisdiction.  Under  the  then  charter  the  Grovernor  in  Council 
constituted  the  High  Court  of  Chancery  of  the  colony.  And  on 
the  6th  day  of  February,  1765,  was  presented  to  this  tribunal 
the  petition,  an  abstract  of  which  is  given  in  the  minutes  of  the 
Council,  from  which  the  following  is  taken  : 

''  At  a  Council  held  at  Fort  George  in  the  City  of 
New  York  on  Wednesday  the  sixth  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1765. 

Present 
The  HonoWe  Cadwallader  Golden,  Esqi"  Lieut.  Governor  &ct. 
Mr.  Horsmanden  Mr.  Walton 

Mr.  Smith  Mr.  Delancey 

Mr.  Watts  Mr.  Keade. 


70  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"The  Petition  and  Memorial  of  Roger  Morris,  Beverly  Rob- 
inson, and  Philip  Philipse,  Proprietors  and  Owners  of  a  Tract 
of  Land  granted  by  the  Letters  Patent  of  his  late  Majesty  King 
William  the  third,  under  the  Great  Seal  of  this  Province, 
bearing  date  the  17th  day  of  June  1697,  unto  Adolph  Philipse 
late  of  the  City  of  New  York  deceased,  lying  in  the  County  of 
Dutches, '  and  farther  bounded,  as  by  the  said  Letters  Patent 
may  Appear :  Was  laid  before  the  Board  and  Read;  Setting 
forth,  That  one  Samuel  Monroe,  who  formerly  setled  a  part  of 
the  said  Tract  of  Land,  as  Tenant  under  the  said  Adolph 
Philipse,  combining  with  several  other  Persons,  and  particu- 
larly with  Stephen  Wilcocks  and  Charles  Peck,  how  to  distress 
the  Memorialists,  hath  lately  Spirited  up  several  Indians,  to  lay 
claim  to  the  said  Tract  of  Land,  as  the  native  and  Original  Pro- 
prietors thereof,  under  the  pretence  that  the  same  was  never 
purchased  from  the  Natives,  and  that  the  said  Indians  are  the 
true  Owners  thereof,  and  have  a  Right  to  G-rant  and  dispose  of 
the  same  Notwithstanding  any  Grant  or  Patent  from  the  Crown. 
That  the  said  Samuel  Munroe  and  his  Confederates,  did  cause 
the  said  Indians  to  elect  him  their  Attorney  and  Guardian,  to 
enter  upon  and  take  possession  of  the  said  premises,  and  to 
lease  lett  and  sell  the  same.  Who  in  pursuance  thereof,  had  by 
Publick  Advertisement  notifyed  a  Time  and  place,  for  persons 
to  appear  to  be  informed  as  to  the  Reality  of  the  said  Indian 
Claim;  and  to  take  Leases  of  the  said  Lands;  and  that  in  Con- 
sequence thereof  sundry  persons  residing  within  the  Bounds  of 
the  said  Tract  of  land,  and  others,  have  appeared  and  were  offered 
Leases  by  the  said  Samuel  Munroe  for  99  Years  for  any  Farms 
within  the  same;  and  that  the  said  Samuel  Munro,  together 
with  Nimham  the  principal  of  the  said  Indians,  threatens  to- 
turn  every  person  refuseing  such  Leases,  out  of  possession.  By 
means  whereof  several  of  the  Memorialists  Tenants  have  been 
induced  to  take  and  hold  under  such  Leases,  and  others  who 
setled  without  Leases,  refuse  to  take  Leases  from  the  Memori- 
alists, but  claim  to  hold  as  tenants  to  the  said  Indians,  hoping 
by  their  Strength  and  Numbers  to  dispossess  the  Memorialists 
of  the  said  Tract  of  Land.  And  that  as  the  proceedings  of  the 
said  Samuel  Munroe  and  his  Confederates,  do  manifestly  tend 
to  the  Disinherison  of  his  Majesty;  and  the  Memorialists  cannot 
apply  any  adequate  Remedy  in  the  Common  Course  of  the 
Law — The  Memorialists  therefore  humbly  pray  the  Interposi- 
tion of  this  Board  and  such  Relief  in  the  premises  as  to  his 
Honour  shall  seem  fit  and  reasonable. 

"On  reading  whereof  It  is  ordered  that  the  said  Petition  be 
referred  to  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  or  any  three  of  them, 
whereof  one  of  the  Judges  to  be  one." 

The  committee  thus  appointed  made  a  report  to  the  Governor 
in  Council  March  6th,  1765,  from  which  the  following  is  quoted: 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  71 

"  May  it  please  Your  Honour. 

"  In  Obedience  to  your  Honour's  Order  in  Council  of  the  sixth 
of  February  Instant,  referring  to  a  Committee  of  the  Gentlemen 
of  the  Council,  or  any  three  of  them,  whereof  one  of  the  Judges 
to  be  one,  the  petition  and  Memorial  of  Roger  Morris,  Beverly 
Robinson  and  Philip  Philipse  ■*  *  *  *  the  Committee  hav- 
ing maturely  weighed  and  considered  the  same,  humbly  beg 
leave  to  report  to  Your  Honour 

"  1st.  That  it  appears  to  this  Committee  that  the  Tract  of 
Land  mentioned  in  the  said  Petition  and  Memorial,  was  duly 
purchased  of  the  Natives,  and  does  now  belong  to  the  said 
Memorialists,  who  have  within  the  Bounds  thereof  a  considera- 
ble Number  of  tenanted  Farms  and  Improvements. 

"  2dly.  That  on  the  seventeenth  Day  of  November  last,  five 
Indians,  known  by  the  Names  of  Stephen  Kounhum,  Daniel 
Nimham,  One-pound  Packtown,  Jacob  Aaron,  and  Jacobus 
Nimham,  did  chuse  and  elect  one  Samuel  Monroe  of  Dutchess 
County  aforesaid,  by  an  Instrument  in  Writing  of  that  Date, 
their  Attorney,  arid  Guardian  of  their  Persons  and  Estates,  for 
them  to  enter  upon  and  take  possession  of  their  Messuages 
Lands,  Tenements,  Hereditaments  and  Premises,  in  the  said 
County  of  Dutchess,  and  the  Profits  thereof  to.  take,  till  they 
shall  be  better  capable  of  transacting  their  own  Afifairs,  and  that 
the  Messuages  Lands,  Tenements  Hereditaments  and  Premises, 
meant  and  intended  by  the  said  Instrument,  are  contained  within 
the  Bounds  of  the  said  Patent,  and  claimed  by  the  said  Indians, 
as  the  native  Owners  and  proprietors  thereof,  and  without  any 
Grant  or  patent  from  the  Crown. 

"3dly:  That  in  order  to  give  the  greater  Weight  to  the  said 
Instrument,  it  was  taken  and  acknowledged  by  the  said  Indians, 
before  Jacobus  Terboss,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas  for  the  said  County  of  Dutchess,  and  John  Akin, 
one  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  said  County, 
and  by  them  allowed  and  subscribed,  which  appears  to  this 
Committee  such  an  Abuse  of  their  respective  Offices,  and  so 
dangerous  a  precedent  for  encouraging  Indian  Claims  against 
the  Rights  of  the  Crown,  and  in  Disinherison  of  his  Majesty, 
that  the  Committee  is  humbly  of  Opinion,  that  an  Order  of  Your 
Honour  in  Council  ought  to  be  served  on  the  said  Terboss  and 
Akins,  for  them  to  shew  Cause  why  they  ought  not  to  be  dis- 
placed for  such  Misconduct 

"4thly:  That  the  said  Daniel  Nimham,  one  of  the  Indians 
above  mentioned,  did  some  time  in  June  or  July  last  give  a 
Lease  to  one  Stephen  Wilcocks  for  the  Lands,  on  which  the 
said  Wilcocks  then  lived,  lying  within  the  Bounds  of  the  said 
Letters  Patent,  for  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  Years,  and 
that  the  said  Samuel  Monroe  and  Stephen  Wilcocks,  at  the  same 
time  entered  into  an  Obligation  to  the  said  Daniel  Nimham,  to 
defend  his  Title,  as  a  Native  Indian  to  the  said  Lands. 


72  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  5th]y:  That  Daniel  Monroe,  Son  of  the  said  Samuel  Monroe, 
and  one  Joseph  Craw,  have  also  taken  two  several  Leases,  from 
the  said  Daniel  Nimham  for  two  several  Pai'ms,  lying  within  the 
Bounds  of  the  said  Letters  Patent,  and  severally  entered  into 
Obligations  to  him,  for  the  payment  of  their  respective  Rents. 

"  6thly:  That  it  further  appears  to  the  Committee,  that  the 
said  Samuel  Monroe,  has  at  a  Publick  Meeting  of  many  People, 
on  the  Subject  of  the  said  Indian  Claim,  read  or  cause  to  be 
read  Your  Honour's  Proclamation  grounded  on  his  Majesty's  ad- 
ditional Instruction,  relative  to  Lands  reserved  by  Indians, 
and  insisted  that  the  said  Proclamation  extended  to  and  sup- 
ported the  aforesaid  Indian  Claim.  And  that  it  also  appears  to 
us,  that  the  said  Samuel  Monroe  has  caused  Copies  of  the  said 
Proclamation  to  be  publickly  fixed  up,  to  countenance  and  give 
Colour  to  the  said  Claim,  has  openly  and  repeatedly  avowed, 
that  he  mantained  the  said  Indians  Claim,  and  declared  that  the 
same  was  well  founded,  that  the  Claim  to  those  holding  under 
the  said  Patent  from  the  Crown  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse 
was  without  Title,  laboured  to  convince  their  Tenants,  that  they 
would  be  ruined,  and  threatned  the  said  Tenants  with  Ruin, 
if  they  continued  to  hold  under  their  said  Landlords. 

"7thly:  That  by  reason  of  the  above  Practices  of  the  said 
Samuel  Monro'e,  and  the  Indians  aforesaid,  and  his  Abuse  and 
Perversion  of  the  said  Proclamation,  great  Numbers  of  persons 
resideing  within  the  Bounds  of  the  said  Patent,  are  deluded 
into  a  Belief  of  the  Validity  of  an  Indian  Title  against  the 
Orants  of  the  Crown,  which  by  stirring  up  the  Indians  to  simi- 
lar Claims,  may  be  attended  with  Dangerous  Consequences  to 
the  peace  and  Tranquility  of  the  Province,  and  greatly  dis- 
courage the  farther  Settlement  and  Improvement  of  the  Country 

■'  8thly:  The  Committee  hambly  conceive  that  the  said  Sam- 
uel Monroe,  in  granting  Leases  for  any  Lands  within  the  Bounds 
of  the  said  Patent,  as  Attorney  and  Guardian  to  the  said  In- 
dians as  Native  proprietors  thereof,  And  the  said  Daniel  Mon- 
roe, Joseph  Craw  and  Stephen  Wilcocks  by  accepting  Leases 
from  the  said  Indians  for  Lands  already  patented  by  the  Crown,, 
do  in  Fact  set  up  the  Title  of  the  Natives  as  paramount  to  the 
Rights  of  the  Crown,  and  to  the  Disinherison  of  his  Majestj^, 
and  have  thereby  been  Gruilty  of  a  high  Misdemeanor,  and  that 
the  said  Samuel  Monroe  and  Stephen  Wilcocks,  by  their  oblig- 
ing themselves  to  defend  such  Indian  Titles  and  Claims,  and  the 
said  Daniel  Monroe,  Joseph  Craw  and  Stephen  Wilcocks  in  ac- 
cepting the  said  Leases  are  Guilty  of  Maintenance  and  punish- 
able at  the  Suit  of  the  King 

"That  the  Committee  therefore  in  Vindication  of  his  Majes- 
ty's undoubted  Right  to  all  the  Lands  in  his  Dominions  as  Su- 
preme Lord  which  is  presumptuously  impeached  by  such  pre- 
tended Title  advise  your  Honour  to  direct  his  Majesty's  Attorney 


GENEUAL   HISTORY.  73 

General  to  exhibit  Informations  in  the  Supreme  Court  against 
the  said  Samuel  Monroe,  Daniel  Monroe,  Stephen  Wilcox  and 
Joseph  Craw  for  their  respective  Offences  aforesaid 
"  AH  which  is  nevertheless  submitted. 

"  By  Order  of  the  Committee 

"  Danl:  Hoesmandew 
"Chairman. 
"  New  York  the  6th  March,  1765." 

The  Minutes  of  the  Council  proceed: 

"  Which  Report  on  the  Question  being  put  was  agreed  to,  and 
approved  of.  And  it  is  ordered  by  his  Honour  the  Lieutenant 
Governor  with  the  Advice  of  the  Council,  that  a  Copy  of  the 
said  Report  of  this  Order  be  delivered  to  his  Majesty's  Attor- 
ney General,  and  that  he  do  forthwith  exhibit  Informations 
against  Samuel  Monroe,  Daniel  Monroe,  Stephen  Wilcox  and 
Joseph  Craw  named  in  the  said  Report,  for  the  Matters  therein 
particularly  mentioned." 

Meanwhile  the  Indians  had  not  been  idle.  There  was  no  pos- 
sible defense  to  the  proceeding  instituted  by  the  Philipse  heirs. 
The  prerogative  of  the  Crown  was  held  sacred  and  the  produc- 
tion of  the  royal  grant  an  absolute  bar  at  law  and  in  equity  to 
any  proceeding  in  derogation  of  the  title  purporting  to  be  there- 
by granted,  except  one — an  appeal  to  the  representative  of  the 
crown,  and,  upon  suggestion  of  abuse  of  the  royal  confidence, 
a  proceeding  to  have  the  patent  annulled  by  a  new  exercise  of 
the  prerogative.  The  Indians  seem  to  have  been  well  advised, 
and  such  an  appeal  was  made,  as  the  following  shows: 

(land  papers  xyiii,  127.) 

"  To  the  Honorable  Cad  wall  ader  Colden,  Esquire  his  Majestys 
Lieutenant  Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of 
New  York,  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon  in  America. 

"  The  Petition  of  David  Nimham,  Jacobus  Nimham,  One 
Pound  pocktwo  Stephen  Cowenham,  and  other  Native  Indians 
of  the  the  Tribe  of  Wappinger. 

"  Most  Humbly  Sheweth 

•'That  they  and  their  Tribe  for  Time  Immemorial,  by  their 
Native  Right  have  been  in  possession  of  certain  Tracts  of  Land 
Scituate  lying  and  being  in  the  Southermost  part  of  Dutchess 
County;  adjoining  the  Northermost  part  of  Westchester  County, 
both  within  the  province  of  New  York;  which  right  Your  pe- 
titioners are  come  down  with  tlieir  proper  Vouchers  and  Evi- 
dence to  satisfy  your  Honor  touching  the  reality  thereof. 

"  That  the  cause  of  this  application  is  owing  to  the  Encroach- 
ment of  several  persons,  who  have  for  a  Series  of  Time  past, 
Step  by  Step,  very  illegally  seated  themselves  upon  and  do  now 


74  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

occupy  and  possess  the  said  Tracts  of  Land,  to  the  Manifest 
Wrong  and  Injury  of  your  petitioners  and  contrary  to  the 
especial  Orders  and  directions  of  the  British  Crown;  complaint 
whereof  hath  often  been  made  by  the  said  Tribe  without  Redres. 

"  That  the  Rise  and  Foundation  of  your  Petitioners  past  and 
present  complaints,  are  chiefly  from  a  Patent  which  appears  on 
Record  in  the  Secretary's  office  in  Lib.  No.  7,  page  119,  bearing 
Date  the  Sixteenth  Day  of  June  One  Thousand  Six  Hundred 
and  Ninety-Seven,  whereby  the  Land  so  claimed  by  your  Peti- 
tioners to  these  first  Rights  and  property  is  granted  to  Adolph 
Philipse;  the  description  of  which  said  Land  in  and  by  the 
Abstract  hereunto  annexed  fully  appears. 

"  That  your  Petitioners  utterly  deny  those  lands  were  ever 
purchased  of  their  Tribe,  for  any  valuable  or  other  considera- 
fion  whatever  by  the  said  Adolph  Philipse;  and  therefore  said 
Patent  must  have  been  by  some  misrepresentation  (with  respect 
to  any  legal  purchase)  unfairly  obtained,  to  the  great  disturb- 
ance and  annoying  your  Petitioners  in  the  the  peaceable  and 
quiet  Enjoyment  thereof. 

"  That  your  petitioners  are  a  Tribe  (with  humble  Submission) 
well  known  to  have  at  all  Times  demeaned  themselves  in  a  de- 
cent becoming  manner,  and  have  on  all  occasions,  to  the  utmost 
of  their  power  and  ability,  at  the  risque  of  their  Lives,  assisted 
in  defending  the  Territories  of  their  dignified  King  and 
Governor,  who  by  his  Roj^al  proclamations  from  Time  to  Time 
issued,  hath  promised  protection  to  the  persons  and  Property 
of  your  Petitioners. 

"  Who  Therefore  in  the  most  supplicant  manner,  thus  per- 
sonally present  and  lay  before  Yoor  Honor  as  His  Majesty's 
representative  this  their  Complaint  and  great  Grievance,  firmly 
relying  on  your  protection,  direction  and  Assistance  as  far  as 
consistent  in  your  Honour's  wise  Judgment;  and  agreeable  to 
his  Majesty's  Instruction  in  his  Royal  proclamation,  given  at 
St.  James  the  ninth  Day  of  December  One  Thousand  Seven 
Hundred  and  Sixty-one,  and  in  the  Second  Year  of  his  Reign, 
for  which  your  Petitioners  as  in  Humble  Duty  bound  will  ever 
Pray  &c. 

"  New  York,  March  1st,  1765.  his 

"  Daniel  X  Nimiiam. 

"  Your  Honor  will  be  pleased  mark 

to  observe- that  there  are  several  his 

of  your  petitioners  Evidences  at-  "  One  Pound  X  Pocktone. 
tending   (with   themselves)   at   a  mark, 

very    great    Expense    therefore  his 

your  petitioners  humbly  sue  for        "  Jacobus  X  Nimham. 
your  Honours  answer.  mark 

his 
"  Stephen  X  Kownham." 
mark. 


GENJKKAL    HISTOEY.  75 

Proceedings  in  Chancery  were  more  summary  then  than  in 
later  days.  The  Philipse  representatives  were  summoned 
forthwith  and  a  trial  immediately  had.  The  occasion  was  a 
dramatic  one.  The  Lieutenant-Governor  presided,  and  about 
him  sat  his  council,  the  magnates  of  the  province,  including  the 
Earl  of  Stirling  and  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Nimham, 
the  Indian  King,  appeared  in  person  with  his  principal  subjects, 
and  was  assisted  by  Munroe.  Roger  Morris  and  Bevei'ly 
Robinson  appeared  in  person  for  the  representatives  of  the 
patentee;  and  then  and  there  was  summarily  decided  the  claim 
upon  which  the  survivors  of  the  great  Wappinger  nation  had 
staked  their  last  chance  for  a  foothold  in  the  land  their  an- 
cestors had  ruled.  No  other  description  can  be  so  graphic  as 
the  Minutes  of  the  Council.     We  quote: 

"  At  a  Council  held  at  Fort  George  in 
the  City  of  New  York  on   Wednesday 
the  sixth  day  of  March,  1765. 
Present: 

"  The  HonWe  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esqr.  Lieut.  Governor,  &c. 
Mr.  Horsmanden,     Mr.  Delancey, 
Mr.   Smith,  Earl  of  Sitrling, 

Mr.  Watts,  Mr.  Reade, 

Mr.  Walton, 
"  His  Honour  the  Lieutenant  Governor  laid  before  the  Board  a 
petition  of  Daniel  Nimham,  Jacobus  Nimham,  One  Pound  Poc- 
tone,  Stephen  Cowenham,  and  other  Native  Indians  of  the  Tribe 
of  Wappinger,  Setting  forth,  that  they  and  their  Tribe  for 
Time  immemorial  by  their  Native  Right,  have  been  in  possession 
of  certain  Tracts  of  Land  in  the  Southernmost  part  of  Dutches 
County,  adjoining  the  Northernmost  part  of  Westchester 
County.     *     *     *     * 

"  On  reading  whereof  the  four  Indians  named  in  the  Petition 
were  called  in,  together  with  Samuel  Munroe  their  Guardian 
who  attended  with  them.  And  Roger  Morris  and  Beverly 
Robinson,  who  hold  lands  under  the  said  Patent,  being  also 
present  the  said  Indians  were  asked  what  they  had  to  say  or 
to  produce  in  Support  of  their  Claim.  Whereupon  Daniel 
Nimham  who  spoke  for  himself,  and  interpreted  what  the 
rest  said,  informed  the  Council  they  claimed  the  Lands 
under  their  Ancestors  who  had  never  sold  them.  The  said 
Beverly  Robinson  then  produced  an  Original  Deed,  signed  by 
Tachquararos,  Cowenhahum,  Siengham,  Shawiss,  Sipowerak, 
Cramaracht,  Wassawawogh,  and  Mecopap  Native  Indians  and 
proprietors  of  sundry  tracts  of  Land  in  Dutches  County,  bear- 
ing Date  the '13th  August  1702,  sealed  and  delivered  in  the 
presence  of  J.V.  Cortlandt,  William  Sharpas,  Philip  Van  Cort- 


76  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

landt,  Blaiidiena  Bayard,  and  of  tliree  Indians  subscribing 
Witnesses  thereto,  whereby  the  said  Indian  Grantees  convey 
all  their  Right  and  Title  to  the  Lands  therein  mentioned 
(being  the  same  Lands,  and  described  in  the  same  Words  as 
those  Granted  by  the  Patent  aforesaid)  to  the  said  Adolph 
Phiiipse  and  to  his  heirs  and  Assigns  for  Ever.  And  the  Names- 
of  the  said  Indian  Grantees  being  repeated  to  the  Petitioners 
present,  the  petitioner  One  Pound  poctone,  who  declared  him- 
self to  be  eighty  Years  of  Age  said  he  knew  them  all— And  the 
Board  knowing  the  four  Witnesses  first  named  to  have  been 
principal  People  at  the  Time  of  the  Transaction;  and  the  Hand 
Writing  of  William  Sharpas  one  of  the  Witnesses,  and  who  ap- 
pears to  have  wrote  the  Deed,  being  well  known.  His  Honour  the 
Lieutenant  Governor  informed  the  Petitioners,  that  himself  and 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  were  of  Opinion,  that  their  An- 
cestors had  fairly  sold  their  Right  to  the  Lands  in  Question. 
That  they  as  their  Descendants  had  no  Claim  to  the  Lands,  and 
that  they  should  give  the  Proprietors  or  their  Tenants  no  farther 
Trouble,  but  suffer  them  to  remain  quiet  and  unmolested  in  the 
Possession  of  what  so  clearly  appeared  to  be  their  Property." 

Beaten,  but  not  discouraged,  the  Indians  attempted  to  secure 
the  assistance  of  Sir  William  Johnson  who  had  so  successfully 
intermediated  in  controversies  between  the  Indian  tribes  and 
the  English.  But  he  declined  to  interfere.  Nimham  then 
went  to  England  and  presented  his  claims  to  the  Lords 
of  Trade,  who  communicated  in  regard  to  the  matter  with 
the  Colonial  Governor,  Sir  Henry  Moore.  In  his  report 
to  the  Lords  of  Trade  Governor  Moore  wrote  that  the 
proceedings  lately  had  in  regard  to  the  Wappinger  Indians  had 
been  "  thoroughly  examined  in  the  presence  of  a  great  con- 
course of  people."  In  this  examination  they  had  been  given 
every  opportunity  and  no  advantage  was  taken  of  technical 
points  or  their  ignorance  of  legal  matters.  He  also  reports  that 
in  1766,  I'iots  had  occurred  in  Dutchess  county,  and  great 
disturbance,  the  Indians  being  at  the  bottom  of  it.  It  was  re- 
ported, and  he  believed  with  truth,  that  the  Indians  were  in  the 
habit  of  selling  their  lands  over  and  over  again,  to  any  who 
were  willing  to  purchase.  The  Lords  of  Trade  also  reported  in 
regard  to  the  petition  of  the  Indians.  The  substance  of  the  re- 
port was  a  relation  of  the  claims  as  narrated  in  preceding  pages. 
It  is  also  stated  that  the  Indians  had  previously  chosen  a  guar- 
dian, and  brought  their  case  before  the  courts,  and  were  defeated 
in  the  trial;  that  they  had  then  appealed  to  the  Governor  and 
Council,  who  reported  that  the  claim  was  groundless  and  that 


GENERAL    HISTORY.  77 

the  lands  were  fairly  sold.  It  seems  that  at  the  time  of  this  re- 
port, 1766,  there  were  "  four  Indian  men  and  three  women  "  in 
England  and  that  others  had  been  there  the  previous  year. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1766,  Governor  Moore  reported  that 
the  Indians  had  been  "  forcibly  putting  some  poor  people  out 
of  possession  of  their  houses,"  and  had  a  second  time  been 
committing  disorders.  This  probably  refers  to  some  difficulties 
with  tenants  who  held  land  under  the  title  of  the  Philipse 
family.  When  he  inquired  of  the  Indians  why  they  had  gone 
to  England,  they  replied  that  "  they  were  persuaded  by  some 
people  to  take  the  voyage,  it  was  no  project  of  their  own."  The 
governor  also  reported  that  "  Munroe,  their  gaardian  had  been 
guilty  of  many  misdemeanors,  and  had  broke  out  of  G-aol,  and 
is,  by  all  accounts  I  can  obtain,  as  infamous  a  person  as  can  be 
found  in  this  Colony."  It  is  evident  that  in  his  opinion  it  was 
time  a  check  was  put  upon  affairs  of  this  kind,  "  to  which  the 
Indians  were  incited  by  white  people  living  near." 

There  are  still  extant  the  briefs  of  both  parties  to  these  pro- 
ceedings and  many  miscellaneous  papers  incidentally  furnish- 
ing data  upon  the  settlement  of  the  county.  For  example, 
among  the  witnesses  whom  Nimham  stated  could  testify  in  re- 
gard to  his  claims  were  John  Van  Tassel  "  of  Philipse  Upper 
Patent;"  Elijah  Tompkins,  "East  end  and  opposite  of  Philipse 
Patent;"  Samuel  Field,  "on  the  Oblong";  John  Tompkins, 
"  on  Philipse  Patent; "  David  Paddock,  "ditto;"  Henry  Fer- 
nander,  "upper  part  of  gore  joining  Fishkill;"  Peter  Ange- 
vine,  "about  middle  of  Philipse  Patent;"  Richard  Curry, 
William  Hill,  Jacobus  Terbush,  "commonly  styled  Judge  Bush, 
at  the  Fishkill;"  James  Dickenson,  Esq.,  "East  end  of  Pat- 
ent;" James  Philipse,  "living  about  the  middle  of  Cortlandts 
Manor."  On  the  Philipse  side  there  was  filed  the  affidavit, 
which  we  quote  : 

"City  of  New  York,  ss.: 

"Timothy  Shaw  of  Dutchess  County  being  duly  sworn  de- 
poseth  and  saith  that  he  formerly  was  a  Tenant  under  Adolph 
Philipse,  deceased  within  the  Patent  commonly  called  the  Up- 
per Patent  in  the  County  aforesaid  being  the  Lands  now  claimed 
by  Roger  Morris  Philip  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robinson  Under 
the  said  Adolph  Philipse  as  this  Deponent  has  understood. 
That  he  this  Deponent  has  now  no  Interest  in  any  Lands  in  the 
said  Upper  Patent  having  disposed  of  all  his  Interest  therein 
upwards  of  seven  Years  ago.     That  he  this  Deponent  is  very 


78  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

well  acquainted  with  all  tbe  Settlements  that  have  been  made 
within  the  Bounds  of  the  said  Upper  Patent  and  has  been  ac- 
quainted with  all  the  Settlements  within  the  Same  about  or 
near  twenty-five  Years  last  past.  That  at  the  Time  this 
Deponent  first  became  acquainted  with  the  said  Upper  Patent 
the  following  Persons  were  either  settled  thereon  or  held  as  he 
understood  from  them  as  Tenants  under  Adolph  Philipse  to 
wit:  Philip  Minthorne  Elisha  Tomkins  John  Tomkins  Wil- 
liam Hunt  Daniel  Townsend  John  Dickenson  James  Dicken- 
son John  Sprague  William  Sturdivant  One  Hill  Moses  Nor- 
throp Senior  Thomas  Philipse  George  Hughson  James  Mc- 
Cready  Samuel  Fields  Amos  Dickenson  Hezekiah  Wright, 
Jeremiah  Calkins  John  Calkins  Joseph  Porter  Ichabod  Vic- 
kerey  Ebeuezer  King  Samuel  Jones  James  Paddock  Peter 
Paddock  David  Paddock  John  Barley  Caleb  Brundige  Wil- 
liam Brandekey  John  Eagleston  Two  Brothers  of  the  name  of 
Bircham  One  Kire  William  Kabelay  Thomas  Kirkam  Na- 
thaniel Robinson  One  Cole  William  Smith  John  Smith  Na- 
thaniel Underbill  Edward  Stevens  One  Bartwo  John  Reynolds 
and  as  this  Deponent  verily  believes  several  others  whose  names 
he  does  not  now  recollect.  That  since  the  Time  of  his  Settle- 
ment on  the  said  Upper  Patent  a  great  Number  of  other  Per- 
sons many  of  whose  names  this  Deponent  could  repeat  were  it 
necessary  have  also  settled  themselves  as  Tenants  of  the  Philipse 
Family  within  the  said  Upper  Patent  and  this  Deponent  verily 
believes  that  of  such  Tenants  there  were  upwards  of  three  hun- 
dred settled  on  the  said  Patent  beyond  the  distance  of  three 
Miles  from  Hudson's  River  before  the  Year  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  six.  That  either  two  or  three  years  ago  in 
the  Winter  Season  the  said  Philip  Philipse  was  at  the  House  of 
Uriali  Lawrance  one  of  the  Tenants  of  the  said  Upper  Patent 
where  Daniel  Niraham  the  Indian  together  with  at  least  three 
hundred  Persons  chiefly  Tenants  of  the  said  Patent  under  the 
Philipse  Family  were  assembled.  That  the  said  Philip  Philipse 
then  and  there  in  the  Hearing  of  this  Deponent  and  as  many  of 
the  said  Persons  there  assembled  as  could  conveniently  crowd 
near  enough  to  hear  what  passed  asked  the  said  Nimham  where 
the  Lands  were  which  He  claimed  whereupon  the  said  Nimham 
said  that  he  had  no  Lands  upon  which  the  said  Philip  Philipse 
asked  the  said  Nimham  why  he  made  such  a  Rout  among  the 
Tenants  to  which  the  said  Nimham  answered  that  he  was  told 
to  do  so  by  Stephen  Cowenham  and  one  Pound  two  other  Indi- 
ans That  the  said  Nimham  never  to  this  Deponent's  Knowl- 
edge lived  within  the  Bounds  of  the  said  Patent  and  that  all 
the  Indians  who  formerly  lived  in  the  said  Patent  had  aband- 
oned it  long  before  the  Year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  six  and  went  and  settled  themselves  as  this  Deponent  has 
been  informed  beyond  Minisink  near  Delaware  and  further  this 
Deponent  saith  not 


GENERAL   HISTORY. 


79 


"  Sworn  this  6th  day  his 

of  March,  1767,"  "Timothy  X  Shaw 

"  Before  me  mark 

"Danl  Horsmanden." 

And,  keeping  in  mind  the  object  and  naturally  one-sided  char- 
acter of  the  documents,  the  briefs  are  scarcely  less  valuable. 
From  that  filed  on  behalf  of  Nimham  the  following  extracts  are 
taken: 

"A  Brief  Statement  of  a  Controversy  subsisting  between 
Daniel  Nimham  a  native  Indian  and  an  acknowledged  Sachem 
or  King  of  a  Certain  Tribe  of  Indians  known  and  called  by  the 
name  of  the  Wappinger  Tribe  of  Indians  and  others  of  the  same 
Tribe  Petitioners  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  said 
Tribe  and  the  heirs  and  legal  Representatives  of  Mr.  Adolph 
Philipse,  late  of  the  City  and  Province  of  New  York,  de- 
ceased,    *     *     * 

"  This  Tribe  formerly  were  numerous,  at  present  consists  of 
about  Two  Hundred  and  Twenty  seven  Persons;  they  have  al- 
ways had  a  Sachem  or  Indian  King,  whom  they  have  acknowl- 
edged to  be  the  head  of  said  Tribe  and  to  whose  Government 
they  have  submitted;  and  by  a  Line  of  Succession  the  said 
Government  descended  to  the  said  present  Sachem,  they  have 
for  more  than  a  Century  been  distinguished  for  their  steady 
friendship  and  firm  alliance  with  the  English,  and  their  subjec- 
tion 1.0  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain;     *    *     * 

"  Their  Claim  to  that  part  of  the  above  described  premises 
hath  been  uninterrupted  and  a  Considerable  part  -thereof  for 
many  Years  been  under  actual  improvement  and  occupation  by 
them  and  their  Tenants;  and  they  the  said  Tribe  actually  did 
inhabit  and  improve 
said  Land  by  leases  on 
rents  and  for  their  hunt- 
ing Ground  &c''  agree- 
able to  their  manner  of 
Life  until  the  Com- ' 
mencement  of  the  late 
War;  at  which  time  they  ^'^ 
entered  in  the  Service  of  " 
the  British  Crown,  were 
conducted  forth  into 
the  wars  by  their  i)re- 
sent  Sachem,  who  then 
being  in  the  Prime  and 
Vigor  of  Life  went  in 
Capacity  of  Captain  in  defence  of  the  British  Crown  taking 
under  his  Command  all  the  Males  of  said  Tribe,  that  were  then 
able  and  any  suitable  for  said  service  they  first  having  re- 
moved their  Wives,   Children  and  aged   Persons   to   a  Place 


80  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

called  Stockbridge,  that  they  might  the  more  easily  be  provided 
for  &  better  accommodated  during  their  absence,  and  the  said 
Captain  with  his  Company  aforesaid,  continued  in  the  service 
aforesaid  during  the  whole  Term  of  the  late  War  and  behaved 
valliantly  and  was  eminently  serviceable  in  the  Reduction  of 
Canady  to  the  British  Crown.     *     *     * 

"The  late  war  being  Ended  the  said  Tribe  returned  home, 
when  to  their  great  surprise  they  found  such  Encroachments  on 
their  Improvements,  and  such  destruction  on  their  hunting 
Grounds,  that  they  were  obliged  to  seek  for  Refuge  elsewhere. 
The  said  now  Sachem  sometime  afterwards  having  received  some 
Intelligence  of  his  Majesty's  proclamation  respecting  Indian 
Claims  again  however  took  Courage  and  having  hrst  upon  ad- 
vice and  by  and  with  the  approbation  of  the  Chief  Judge  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  and  one  other  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
said  County  of  Dutchess  Chosen  Mr.  Samuel  Munroe  for  his 
Guardian;  he  with  said  Guardian  again  Leased  out  sundry  farms 
on  said  Land  in  Controversy,  not  in  the  least  doubting  his  right 
so  to  do.  Whereupon  (the  said  Frederick  Philipse  being  dead) 
Mr.  Beverly  Robinson  of  sd.  New  York  having  married  one  of 
the  Daughters  of  Frederick  Philipse  deceased  &  pretending  to 
be  interested  in  the  Lands  in  Controversy  after  having  in  a 
forcible  manner  attempted  to  oust  the  said  Tenants  who  held 
under  said  Tribe  and  after  much  of  his  disrespectful  Conduct 
both  toward  his  King  and  Country,  as  appears  by  the  exhibits 
M.  N.  O.  brought  cases  of  Ejectment  against  fifteen  of  the  said 
Indian  Tenants  and  they  being  chiefly  poor  people,  unitedly 
agreed  to  stand  Trial  in  only  one  of  them,  and  having  raised  a 
sum  of  Money  for  that  purpose,  the  Defendant  in  that  particu- 
lar suit  made  application  for  Council  to  assist  him  therein  but 
upon  Enquiry  (to  his  great  surprise)  found  that  every  Attorney 
at  Law  in  that  whole  Province  was  previously  retained  on  the 
other  side;  whereupon  (being  destitute  of  assistance)  at  the  time 
of  trial  he  motioned  the  Court  for  Liberty  to  speak  for  himself; 
which  being  Granted  he  began  to  offer  something  in  Vindication 
of  his  Cause  but  had  scarsely  uttered  one  single  sentence,  when 
one  of  the  Lawyers  rose  up  and  (interrupting  him)  with  an  air 
of  Confidence  declared  he  was  liable  to  be  committed  for  pre- 
tending to  offer  a  word  in  Vindication  of  a  claim  to  those  Lands 
in  opposition  to  a  Grant  of  the  Crown,  which  struck  such  a 
sudden  Damp  upon  the  spirits  of  the  poor  Man,  that  he  was 
unable  further  to  Conduct  his  Cause  with  any  manner  of  prop- 
riety, or  so  much  as  to  tell  his  plain  honest  story,  which  might 
have  shew  perhaps  the  Justice  of  his  cause  and  prevented  a 
Recovery.  But  without  further  delay  or  any  further  Enquiry 
into  the  Matter,  Judgment  was  forthwith  rendered  in  said  Cause 
and  in  the  rest  of  said  cases  against  all  the  said  fifteen  Defend- 
ants without  any  opportunity  of  a  fair  Trial,  and  thereupon 
writs  of  poissession  Granted  out  against  them  all,  and  the  whole 


GENEEAL   HISTORY.  81 

number  of  fifteen  Tenants  aforesaid,  some  of  which  had  been 
on  said  Lands  Thirty  and  some  Forty  Years,  holding  under  said 
Tribe  turned  ofi  therefrom  and  their  Buildings  and  other  Im- 
provements together  with  the  Crops  of  Grain  &c  they  had  been 
growing  on  said  Lands  and  all  the  fruits  of  their  Labour  & 
Industry  taken  from  them  without  any  manner  of  allowance 
therefor.  Whereupon  the  said  now  Sachem  together  with  some 
other  principal  men  of  said  Tribe  finding,  that  said  Kobinson 
and  the  rest  of  the  heirs  and  legal  representatives  of  the  said 
Mr.  Frederick  Philipse  deceased  were  determined  to  continue 
their  molestations  and  to  use  all  possible  endeavors  surrepti- 
tiously to  defraud  them  of  their  native  right  to  said  Lands  pre- 
ferred their  petition  to  the  Honorable  Cadwallader  Golden  Esqre 
Lieutenant  Governour  and  the  Commander  in  Chief  of  said 
Province  of  New  York  and  his  Council  dated  the  first  day  of 
March  Anno  Domini  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-five, 
as*  per  Exhibit  No.  F.  and  on  the  sixth  of  the  sarne  March  afore- 
said, the  Petitioners  aforesaid  together  with  said  Guardian,  were 
permitted  to  appear  and  did  personally  appear  before  said 
Lieut.  Governour  &  Council,  in  order  to  be  heard  in  the  Matters 
prayed  for  in  their  said  Petition  respecting  said  Lands  and  the 
Encroachments  thereon  made  as  aforesaid  and  (not  able  to  get 
any  assistance  of  any  attorney  at  Law  in  the  whole  province 
aforesaid)  then  and  there  laid  in  their  Claim  to  said  Land  in 
Controversy  themselves  and  then  and  there  stood  ready  to  offer 
sufficient  Evidence  in  support  of  their  said  Claim  and  then  and 
there  expected  to  have  had  opportunity  therefor:  But  instead 
thereof  no  more  was  then  and  there  done  in  the  premises,  than 
as  follows,  viz.: 

"  The  Petitioners  being  asked  by  one  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Council  then  and  there  present,  what  they  had  to  offer  in  sup- 
port of  their  Claim  aforesaid  'i  the  said  now  Sachem  who  spoke 
for  himself  and  Interpreted  what  the  rest  said,  informed  the  said 
Lieut.  Governour  &  Council,  that  they  the  said  petitioners  in 
behalf  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  said  Wappinger  Tribe 
claimed  the  Lands  in  Controversy  under  their  ancestors,  in 
whom  was  the  native  right  and  that  neither  they  nor  their  an- 
cestors nor  any  of  said  Tribe  had  ever  sold,  nor  made  any  legal 
Conveyance  of  said  Land  in  Controversy.  The  said  Mr.  Robin- 
son then  produced  an  Instrument  said  to  be  an  Indian  Deed, 
bearing  date  the  thirteenth  day  of  August  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  two,  which  (if  authentic)  covered  all  the  Lands  in 
Controversy.  But  as  this  was  the  first  Time  that  such  Instru- 
ment was  ever  heard  of  the  Petitioners  and  said  Guardian  de- 
sired to  look  at  said  Instrument  and  having  got  the  same  into 
his  hand  was  about  to  point  out  some  marks  of  fraud  attending 
it,  but  before  he  had  time  to  make  one  single  remark  about  it, 
it  was  by  a  Gentleman  of  the  Council  taken  out  of  his  hands, 
and  thereupon  the  said  Gentleman  of  the  Council  told  the  Peti- 


82  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

doners  they  had  better  go  home  about  their  business  and  quiet 
themselves  and  the  rest  of  said  Tribe  and  give  tliem  no  further 
Trouble  for  (said  he)  Mr.  Robinson  has  a  Deed  of  all  the  Lands 
in  Controversy,  to  which  the  said  now  Sachem  replyed,  that  he 
chose  to  hear  those  words  from  the  Lieutenant  Governour's  own 
mouth  first:  whereupon  the  said  Lieut.  Governour  after  a  short 
Pause  said  that  the  said  Mr.  Robinson  had  a  Deed  of  the  Land  in 
Controversy  and  that  the  Petitioners  must  therefore  go  home  and 
make  themselves  and  the  rest  of  their  Tribe  easy  and  quiet  and 
hot  give  the  said  Governour  and  Council  any  further  Trouble  in 
t"he  premises,  (having  first  asked  an  old  Indian,  one  of  the  Peti- 
tioners, whether  he  ever  knew  any  of  those  Indians  whose 
names  were  subscribed  to  said  pretended  Deed,  who  replyed 
that  he  did,  but  that  he  never  knew  nor  heard  of  their  selling 
or  making  any  Conveyance  of  said  Lands,  neither  did  he  believe 
that  they  or  either  of  them  ever  signed  or  executed  said  Instru- 
ment) whereupon  the  Petitioners  (tho'  very  much  dissatisfied 
on  account  of  the  rough  Treatment  they  met  with,  as  well  as  on 
account  of  their  not  being  permitted  a  fair  Chance  or  oppor- 
tunity to  Vindicate  their  Cause)  returned  home."   *     *     *     * 

"  Finally  it  seems  that  such  a  notable  Transaction  could  not 
have  been  performed  in  the  Dark  nor  have  been  so  soon  forgotten 
by  the  Indians,  especially  considering  that  they  depend  wholly 
upon  Tradition  for  the  Record  (if  it  may  be  so  called)  of  all  their 
proceedings,  and  are  therein  so  extremely  careful,  as  that  they 
do  thereby  retain  among  them  for  many  Centuries  together,  the 
knowledge  or  remembrance  of  matters  of  much  less  Importance — 
From  all  of  which  Circumstances  the  said  Tribe  of  Wappingers 
do  firmly  believe  the  said  Instrument  of  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  &  Two  to  be  spurious  and  not  by  any  means  Genuine 
and  humbly  imagine  said  Lands  (if  at  all  included  in  said 
Patent)  were  Granted  to  said  Mr.  Adolph  Philipse  by  the  letters 
patent  aforesaid  thr(i'  mistake  or  by  means  of  some  misrepre- 
sentation; and  therefore  hope  with  great  Humility,  that  their 
Honest  Cause  will  gain  the  Royal  Attention  and  powerful  In- 
terposition and  Protection;  and  that  they  may  be  again  restored 
to  their  said  Lands,  whereupon  they  are  unjustly  expelled. 

"  The  foregoing  Brief  or  State  of  the  Case  of  the  Wappinger 
Tribe  of  Indians  was  made  on  the  30th  day  of  October  Anno 
Domini  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-five." 

Prom  th«  brief  submitted  by  the  Philipse  representatives  is 
taken  the  following: 

"  A  Summary  of  the  Reasons  humbly  offered  to  his  Excel- 
lency Sir  Henry  Moore  Baronet  Captain  General  &  Governour 
in  Chief  in  &  over  the  province  of  New  York  &  the  Territories 
thereon  depending  in  America,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.,  and  to  the  Hon- 
ourable his  Majesty's  Council  for  the  said  province  by  Roger 
Morris  Beverly  Robinson  &  Philip  Philipse    *    *    *    in  answer 


GENERAL  HISTORY,  83 

to  a  certain  Memorial  or  Complaint  of  Daniel  Nimham,an  Indian, 
******** 

"The  said  Roger  Morris,  Beverly  Robinson  and  Philip 
Philipse,  tho'  they  firmly  rely  on  their  indisputable  title  to  the 
sd.  lands  as  derived  by  them  Under  the  said  Letters  Patent 
Think  it  nevertheless  their  Duty  hovsrever  repeatedly  called  upon 
to  satisfy  the  Governm't  of  the  Integrity  not  only  of  their  own 
Conduct  but  also  of  the  Conduct  of  those  under  whom  they 
Claim,  as  well  as  in  obtaining  the  said  Letters  Patent  for  the 
said  Tract  of  Land  as  in  possessing  the  same  by  Virtue  of  such; 
Letters  patent. 


*  * 


"  The  patent  appears  to  be  grounded  on  a  petition  of  Adolph 
Philijjse  wherein  the  Fraud  (if  any  had  been  perpetrated  in  ob- 
taining the  patent)  would  naturally  be  found  But  this  petition 
which  is  still  lodged  in  the  Secretary's  office  speaks  in  plain 
Terms  and  sets  forth  a  purchase  made  by  him  of  Jan  Seabringh 
and  Lambert  Dorlandt  of  part  of  the  Lands  contained  within 
the  Bounds  of  the  afsd  Patent  (a  part  of  which  the  said  Me- 
morial &  Complaint  admits  to  have  been  granted  by  the  In- 
dians to  the  said  Seabringh  &  Dorlandt)  to  wit  for  an  Extent 
from  the  River  Eastward  as  far  as  the  Land  of  Coll  Cortlandt 
&  Company  (meaning  the  patent  commonly  called  Rombouts 
Patent)  which  was  known  to  the  Govt,  to  extend  only  sixteen 
Miles  from  the  River  And  the  Colony  Line  was  also  known  to 
the  Governm't  to  be  at  the  Distance  of  20  Miles  from  the 
River.  So  that  the  petitioner  having  set  forth  nothing  more 
than  the  purchase  aforesaid  and  so  framed  his  petition  as  clearly 
to  Shew  a  Vacancy  between  that  purchase  &  the  Colony  Line 
for  which  he  did  not  pretend  to  have  made  an  Indian  purchase 
the  Crown  could  not  be  deceived  in  the  Grant  of  the  said  Let- 
ters Patent  &  therefore  no  Reason  can  be  assigned  why  they 
should  be  at  this  late  day  impeached  or  Questioned:  And  that 
the  more  especiall  because: 

"2dly.  The  Letters  Patent  themselves  contain  no  recitals  or 
suggestions  of  matters  of  fact  as  urged  on  the  part  of  the  pe- 
titioner to  the  Govt,  to  induce  the  Crown  to  grant  them;  But 
appear  to  have  issued  simply  on  the  petition  of  Patentee  praying 
a  Grant  of  the  Lands  without  any  matters  of  fact  urged  by  him 
to  induce  such  Grant.  .Wherefore  *  *  *  the  Letters  Patent 
above  mentioned  issued  in  favor  of  the  said  Adolph  Philipse 
without  the  least  Colour  or  Ground  for  supposing  a  Deceit  on  the 
Crown  in  the  obtaining  the  same*  the  title  in  the  sd  Roger  Morris 
Beverly  Robinson  and  Philip  Philipse  must  be  conclusive.  *  * 
*  and  if  anything  in  Equity  is  now  due  the  Indians  the  Crown 
stands  bound  to  satisfy  them* 

"3dly.  The  said  Adolph  Philipse  tho  he  might  have  relied 
on  his  patent,*  made  a  purchase  of  all  the  Lands  included  with- 
in the  Bounds  of  this  patent  of  them  on  the  13th  Augt.  1702 


84  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  to  prevent  Every  suspicion  that  Fraud,  or  Art  was  used  to 
obtain  this  Deed,  It  will  be  sufficient  to  observe  that  Besides 
three  Indians  who  were  Witnesses  to  it  this  Transaction  was  at- 
tested by  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  a  Man  of  Rank  &  Character, 
William  Sharpas  the  Then  Town  Clerk  of  the  City  of  New  York 
— a  person  of  known  probity,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt  then  one 
of  his  Majesty's  Council  of  this  Province  &  Biandina  Bayard  an 
Indian  Interpretress.  Some  of  these  witnesses  are  personally 
known  &  the  handwriting  of  one  of  them  subscribed  to  this 
Deed  was  familiar  to  several  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  *  *  * 
the  Rank  &  Characters  of  the  witnesses  are  sufficient  to  remove 
all  suspicion  that  it  was  illegally  Fraudulently  &  surreptiti- 
ously obtained.     *    *    *    * 

"4thly.  *  *  Those  who  were  acquainted  with  the  Indians 
their  principles  and  practices  know  that  tho'  theywill  very  rarely 
suffer  themselves  to  be  defrauded  of  their  Lands;  yet  in  most 
instances  they  compel  bona  fide  purchasers  by  Repitition  of  their 
Claims  to  make  repeated  payments  to  them;  beyond  the  original 
Consideration  Money 

"5thly.  (Here  follow  references  to  papers,  including  the  affi- 
davit of  Timothy  Shaw.) 

"From  All  which  Considerations  *  *  *  it  must  clearly  ap- 
pear That  the  patent  to  Adolph  Philipse  was  not  unfairly 
obtained  nor  the  Said  Deeds  executed  to  him  by.  the  Indians, 
procured  illegally,  fraudulently  &  surreptitiously,  nor  the 
Lands  possessed  by  the  Indians  until  1756.  Nor  the  possession 
of  them  then  wrongfully  gained  by  the  said  Beverly  Robinson 
Philip  Philipse  and  Roger  Morris  while  the  Indians  were  gone 
into  his  Majesty's  Service  *  *  *  But  on  the  contrary  the  said 
Patent  was  fairly  obtained  without  any  Imposition  on  the  Govt. 
That  the  Indian  Deed  was  procured  by  the  said  Adolph  Philipse 
lawfully,  honestly  &  openly  before  Witnesses  of  the  first  Char- 
acter *  •*  *  &  that  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  &  his  family  so 
far  from  suffering  their  Title  to  Lands  in  Question  to  become 
Stale  and  suspicious  by  Non.  occupancy  proceeded  in  due  time 
to  the  settlement  &  Cultivation  of  these  Lands,  which  were  popu- 
lously inhabited  by  Tenants  under  them  many  Years  since  &and 
which  were  long  ago  abandoned  by  the  Indians  who  were  con- 
scious that  they  had  not  the  least  Right  or  Title  to  them." 

In  the  Revolution  Nimham  and  his  warriors  took  an  active 
part.  Some  sixty  of  them,  expert  marksmen  and  skilled  in  war, 
joined  the  American  forces  and  fought  with  a  bravery  and  valor 
worthy  of  their  ancient  race,  in  the  days  of  their  glory.  Active 
in  the  campaigns  of  1777,  they  joined  Washington  again  in  the 
spring  of  the  following  year,  and  were  detached  with  the  forces 
under  La  Fayette,  to  check  the  depredations  of  the  British  army 
on  its  retreat  from  Philadelphia,  and  they  were  afterward  trans- 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  85 

ferred  to  Westchester  county,  the  scene  of  some  of  the  most 
hotly  contested  struggles  of  the  war. 

It  was  on  the  30th  of  August,  1778,  that  Nimham  and  his 
warrior  band  went  forth  to  the  iield  of  their  last  battle.  On 
that  day  they  met  with  a  scouting  party  of  British  under  Colo- 
nel Emerick,  and  after  a  fierce  engagement  compelled  them  to 
retreat.  On  the  following  morning  the  whole  of  the  British 
force  at  Kings  Bridge  was  ordered  out  and  the  larger  part  was 
placed  in  an  ambuscade,  while  Emerick  was  sent  forward  to  de- 
coy his  assailants  of  the  previous  day.  In  the  extreme  northern 
part  of  the  annexed  portion  of  the  city  of  New  York,  is  a  high 
elevation  of  land,  known  as  Cortlandt's  Ridge.  Winding 
through  the  valleys  and  emptying  into  the  Harlem  River,  near 
Kings  Bridge,  is  a  stream  that  has  borne  from  the  earliest  times 
the  name  of  Tippets  Brook.  The  wooded  heights  and  the 
banks  of  the  stream  were  the  scenes  of  a  most  sanguinary  con- 
flict. The  attempt  to  draw  the  Indians  into  the  ambuscade 
failed,  and  upon  their  advance  the  British  troops  had  scarcely 
time  to  fall  into  rank.  The  Indians  lined  the  fences  and  com- 
menced firing  upon  the  forces  under  Colonel  Emerick.  The 
Queen's  Rangers  moved  rapidly  to  gain  the  heights,  and  Tarle- 
ton  advanced  with  the  Hussars  and  his  famous  Legion  of  Cav- 
alr}^  This  being  reported  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe,  he 
directed  Major  Ross  to  conduct  his  corps  on  the  heights,  and 
advancing  to  the  road  arrived  within  ten  yards  of  Nimham  and 
his  men.  Up  to  this  time  they  had  been  intent  on  the  attack 
upon  Colonel  Emerick.  They  now  gave  a  yell  and  fired  on  the 
advancing  enemy  and  wounded  five,  including  Colonel  Simcoe. 

They  were  driven  from  the  fence,  and  Tarleton  rushed  upon 
them  with  his  cavalry  and  pursued  them  down  Cortlandt's 
Ridge.  Here  Tarleton  himself  had  a  narrow  escape.  Striking 
at  one  of  the  fugitives,  he  lost  his  balance  and  fell  from  his 
horse.  Fortunately  for  him  the  Indian  had  no  bayonet  and  his 
musket  was  discharged,  A  captain  of  a  company  of  American 
soldiers  was  taken  prisoner  with  some  of  his  men,  and  a  company 
under  Major  Stewart,  who  afterwards  distinguished  himself  at 
the  storming  of  Stony  Point,  left  the  Indians  and  fled.  The  en- 
gagement was  renewed  with  the  fiercest  vigor.  The  cavalry 
charged  the  ridge  with  overwhelming  numbers,  but  were  bravely 
resisted.  As  the  cavalry  rode  them  down,  the  Indians  seizing 
their  foes,  dragged  them  from  their  horses,  to  join  them  in  death. 


86  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

In  a  swamp,  not  far  from  the  brook,  Nimham  made  his  last 
stand.  When  he  saw  the  Grenadiers  closing  upon  him  and  all 
hope  of  successful  resistance  gone,  he  called  out  to  his  people 
to  flee,  but  as  for  himself,  "  I  am  an  aged  tree,  I  will  die  here." 
Being  attacked  by  Simcoe  he  wounded  that  officer,  but  was  shot 
and  killed  by  Wright,  his  orderly  Hussar.  In  this  fearful  fray 
the  power  of  the  tribe  was  forever  broken.  More  than  forty  of 
the  Indians  were  killed  or  desperately  wounded  in  the  fight,  and 
when  the  next  morning  dawned,  there,  still  and  cold  in  death, 
on  the  field  he  had  defended  so  bravely,  lay  the  last  sachem  of 
the  Wappingers. 

The  place  where  they  crossed  Tippets  Brook  is  still  known  as 
Indian  Bridge,  and  an  opening  in  the  Cortlandt  woods  yet  bears 
the  name  of  Indian  Field,  and  there  the  dead  were  buried.  It  is 
said  that  the  spirit  of  the  sachem  still  haunts  the  field  of  his 
last  battle,  and  that  the  sound  of  his  war  cry  still  rises  on  the 
midnight  air,  and  greets  the  ear  of  the  belated  traveller  as  he 
treads  on  his  lonely  way. 

From  that  time  the  Wappingers  ceased  to  have  a  name  in  his- 
tory. A  few  scattered  remnants  still  remained,  and  as  late  as 
1811,  a  small  band  had  their  dwelling  place  on  a  low  tract  of 
land  by  the  side  of  a  brook,  under  a  high  hill,  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  town  of  Kent,'  but  all  that  remained  of  them  have 
long  since  passed  away,  and  the  place  that  knew  them  once  will 
know  them  no  more  forever. 

A  person  who  stands  on  the  high  land  in  Carmel,  south  of 
Lake  Gfleneida,  sees  far  to  the  northwest,  three  lofty  mountains 
that  tower  above  all  the  country  round.  To  the  middle  peak, 
which  is  the  highest,  we  have  given  the  name  of  the  last  Sachem 
of  the  tribe  that  once  ruled  all  the  lands  that  can  be  seen  from 
its  highest  summit:  and  we  trust  that  in  honor  of  his  valor,  and 
of  the  faith  sealed  with  his  blood,  on  the  field  where  he  fought 
for  the  liberty  of  America,  it  will  bear  to  all  future  time  the 
name  of  Mount  Nimham. 

'The  site  of  this  village  is  on  the  farm  of  Isaiah  Booth,  about  half  a  mile  south 
of  the  Putnam  county  road,  near  the  west  line  of  Lot  5. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

CONFISCATION  AND  SALE   OF   THE   SHARES   OF   THE    PATENT 
BELONGING  TO  SUSANNAH  ROBINSON  AND  MARY  PHILIPSE. 

SEVERAL  years  previous  to  the  death  of  her  father,  Susan- 
nah Philipse  was  united  in  marriage  to  Col.  Beverly- 
Robinson,  and  the  mansion  built  by  him  and  still  standing  on 
the  shores  of  the  Hudson  has  ever  been  an  object  of  interest 
and  curiosity,  as  associated  with  one  of  the  most  important 
episodes  in  the  history  of  Putnam  county.  Her  sister,  Mary 
Philipse,  if  any  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  the  testimony  of 
tradition  and  the  description  of  her  contemporaries,  must  have 
been  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  fascinating  women  of  her 
time,  and  numbered  among  her  worshiping  adorers  no  less  a 
personage  than  the  illustrious  Washington.  Her  heart  and  hand 
were  at  length  won  by  Col.  Roger  Morris,  a  gentleman  of  ex- 
cellent family,  and  who  as  an  aide  to  the  ill-fated  Braddock  had 
distinguished  himself,  and  was  among  the  wounded  in  the  bat- 
tle of  the  Monongahela.  Previous  to  their  marriage  an  ante 
nuptial  contract  was  executed,  and  her  extensive  landed  estate 
was  provided  for  by  the  following  Instrument: 

"This  Indenture  made  the  fourteenth  day  of  January  in  the 
thirty  first  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  Q-eorge  the 
Second  by  ihe  Grrace  of  God  of  Great  Britain  Prance  and  Ire- 
land King  Defender  of  the  flfaith,  &c.  and  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  eight.  Between 
Mary  Philipse  of  the  first  part  Major  Roger  Morris  of  the  sec- 
ond part  and  Johanna  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robinson  of  the 
third  part  Witnesseth  that  in  consideration  of  a  Marriage  in- 
tended to  be  had  and  solemnized  between  the  said  Roger  Mor- 
ris and  Mary  Philipse  and  the  Settlement  herein  after  made  by 
the  said  Roger  Morris  on  the  said  Mary  Philipse,  and  for  and 
in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  five  shillings  Current  Money  of 


88  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  Province  of  New  York  by  the  said  Johanna  Philipse  and 
Beverly  Robinson  to  her  the  said  Mary  Philipse  at  or  before 
the  ensealing  and  Delivery  of  these  Presents  well  and  Truly 
paid,  the  Receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  and  for  di- 
vers   other    Good  Causes    and  Considerations  her  thereunto 
moving,  She  the  said  Mary  F'hilipse  Hath  Granted  Bargained 
Sold  Released  and  Confirmed  and  by  these  Presents  Doth  Grant 
Bargain   Sell  Release  and  Confirme  unto  the  said   Johanna 
Philipse  and  Beverly  Robinson  (in  their  actual  possession  now 
being  by  virtue  of  a  Bargain  and  Sale  to  them  thereof  made  for 
one  whole  Year,  by  Indenture  bearing  date  the  Day  next  be 
fore  the  day  of  the  Date  of  these  Presents  and  by  force  of  the 
Statute  for  Transferring  of  uses  into  possession)  and  to  their 
Heirs  All  those  Severall  Letts  or  Parcels  of  Land  known  by  the 
Severall  names  of  Lot  Number  Three,  Number  Five,  and  Num- 
ber Nine,  and  one  third  part  of  the  Meadow  Land  lying  in  Lot 
Number  Two  which  Lotts  Nuriiber  Three  Five'  Nine  and  two  are 
part  of  a  Certain  Tract  or  Parcel  of  Land  Granted  unto  Adolph 
Philipse  since  Deceased  by  his  Late  Majesty  King  William  the 
third  by  his  Letters  Patent  under  the  Great  Seal  of  the  Province 
of  New  York  bearing  Date  the  Seventeenth  day  of  June  in  the 
Year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  h^^ndred  and  ninety  seven, 
scituate  lying  and  being  in  Dutchess  County  in  the  high  lands 
on  the  East  side  of  Hudsons  River  and  are  Butted  and  Bounded 
as  follows  to  wit.  Lot  Number  three  beginning  at  two  hemlock 
bushes  Standing  in  a  Gully  between  Bull  and  break  neck  hills 
on  the  East  side  of  Hudsons  River  and   from  thence  running 
North  seventy  seven  Degrees  East  three  hundred  and  eighty-six 
chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  and  walnut  bush  marked  P.  R.  1753 
Standing  in  the  West  Line  of  Lot  Number  four  and  is  also  the 
North  East  Corner  of  Lot  Number  two,  then  North  ten  degrees 
East  two  hundred  and  twenty  eight  chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones 
thirty  Links  North  of  a  White  Oak  Tree  marked  P.  1753  being 
the  Northwest  Corner  of  Lot  Number  four,  then  South  eighty 
seven  degrees   West  four   hundred  and  eight   chains  to    the 
Mouth  of  the  Fish  kill  from  thence  down  the  Several  Courses 
of  Hudsons  River  to  the  Beginning  including  PoUaples  Island, 
containing  about  Eight  thousand  six  hundred  Acres.  Lot  Num- 
ber Five  beginning  at  a  heap  of  stones  in  the  Line  of  the  Man- 
nor  of  Courtlandt  at  the  South   East  Corner  of  Lot  Number 
Four,  then  North  ten  degrees  East  nine  hundred  and  forty  seven 


GENEKAL   HISTORY.  89 

chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones  at  the  North  East  Corner  of  Lot 
four,  then  North  eighty  seven  degrees  East  three  hundred  and 
forty  four  chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones  which  is  the  North  West 
Corner  of  Lot  Ntimber  six,  then  South  ten  Degrees  West  along 
the  Line  of  Lot  Number  six  Nine  hundred  and  sixty  Chains  to 
a  heap  of  Stones  on  the  Line  of  the  Manner  of  Courtlandt  at 
the  South  West  Corner  of  Lot  Number  six,  then  West  along 
the  Line  of  the  Manner  of  Courtlandt  three  hundred  and  forty 
Chains  to  the  Beginning  Containing  about  thirty  one  thousand 
two  hundred  Acres.  Lot  Number  Nine  Beginning  at  a  hemlock 
Tree  standing  on  the  South  side  of  the  East  branch  of  Croton 
River  and  a  heap  of  Stones  on  the  North  side  which  is  also  the 
Sonth  East  Corner  of  Lot  Number  six  in  the  Line  of  the  Man- 
ner of  Courtlandt  from  thence  running  North  ten  degrees  East 
three  hundred  and  thirty  three  Chains  to  a  heap  of  Stones  and 
a  walnut  Tree  markt  P.  R.  1753  en  the  South  side  of  the  hill 
near  an  eld  meeting  house  in  the  Line  of  Lot  Namber  six, 
being  the  south  west  corner  of  Lot  number  eight  then  east 
along  the  line  of  Lot  Number  Eight  three  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  Chains  to  a  Chesnut  bush  markt  P.  R.  1753  Stand- 
ing in  the  oblong  Line  on  the  West  side  of  a  Rocky  hill  which 
is  the  South  East  Corner  of  Lot  Number  eight,  then  Southerly 
as  the  Oblong  line  runs  three  hundred  and  thirty  three  Chains 
to  the  North  East  Corner  of  the  Manner  of  Courtlandt  in  Peach 
Pond,  then  West  along  the  said  Manner  of  Courtlandt  three 
hundred  and  thirty  six  Chains  to  the  Beginning,  Containing 
about  Eleven  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty  Acres  and  the 
one  third  part  of  the  Meadow  Land  lying  in  Let  Number  Two 
Beginning  five  chains  from  tlie  upland  upon  Danfords  Creek, 
and  running  to  Crooked  Creek  five  Chains  from  the  upland  then 
down  Crooked  Creek  to  the  Meadow  belonging  to  lot  number 
one,  then  North  West  to  Mar  tiers  Rock,  then  along  the  upland 
the  North  side  of  little  Island  in  the  Meadow  to-  the  Mouth  of 
Danfords  Creek  then  up  the  said  Creek  to  the  Beginning  Con- 
taining about  Eighty  two  Acres.  And  also  All  and  Singular  the 
Lands  Tenements  Hereditaments  and  real  Estate  whatsoever  and 
wheresoever  of  her  the  said  Mary  Philipse.  And  also  all  the 
Estate  Right  Title  Interest  Possession  Claim  and  Demand  what- 
soever of  her  the  said  Mary  Philipse  of  in  and  to  all  and  Singu- 
lar the  said  Letts  or  Parcels  of  land  above  mentioned  and  De- 
scribed and  all  and  Singular  her  other  Lands  Tenements  Hered- 


90  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

itaments  and  real  Estate  whatsoever  or  any  part  or  parcel 
thereof  with  the  appurtenances  To  have  and  to  hold  all  and 
Singular  the  said,  several  Lots  of  land  herein  before  mentioned 
or  intended  to  be  hereby  Released  and  all  and  Singular  other 
the  Lands  Tenements  Hereditaments  and  Real  Estate  whatso- 
ever of  her  the  said  Mary  Philipsewith  their  and  every  of  their 
members  and  appurtenances  unto  the  said  Johanna  Philipse  and 
Beverly  Robinson  and  their  Heirs  To  and  for  the  several  uses 
intents  and  purposes  herein  after  declared  expressed,  limited, 
and  appointed  and  to  and  for  no  other  use  intent  and  purpose 
whatsoever,  that  is  to  say,  to  and  for  the  use  and  behoof  of 
them  the  said  Johanna  Philipse  &  Beverly  Robinson  and  their 
Heirs  until  the  solemnization  of  the  said  Intended  Marriage, 
and  from  and  immediately  after  the  solemnization  of  the  said 
Intended  Marriage  then  to  the  use  and  behoof  of  the  said 
Mary  Philipse  and  Roger  Morris  and  the  Survivor  of  them  for 
and  during  the  Term  of  their  natural  lives  without  Impeach- 
ment of  Waste,  and  from  and  after  the  determination  of  that 
Estate  then  to  the  use  and  behoof  of  such  child  or  children  as 
shall  or  maybe  procreated  between  them,  and  to  his  her  or  their 
Heirs  and  Assigns  forever,  but  in  case  the  said  Roger  Morris 
and  Mary  Philipse  shall  have  no  child  or  children  begotten  be  • 
tween  them,  or  that  such  child  or  children  shall  happen  to  die 
during  the  life  time  of  the  said  Roger  and  Mary  and  the  said 
Mary  should  survive  the  said  Roger  without  issue,  then  to  the 
use  &  behoof  of  her  the  said  Mary  Philipse  and  her  Heirs  and 
Assigns  forever,  and  in  case  the  said  Roger  Morris  should  sur- 
vive the  said  Mary  Philipse  without  any  issue  by  her  or  tliat 
such  issue  is  then  dead  without  leaving  issue  then  after  the  de- 
cease of  the  said  Roger  Morris  to  the  only  use  and  behoof  of 
such  Person  or  Persons  and  in  such  manner  and  form  as  she  the 
said  Mary  Philipse  shall  at  any  time  during  the  said  intended 
Marriage  devise  the  same  by  her  Last  Will  and  Testament  for 
that  purpose,  which  last  Will  and  Testament  it  is  hereby  agreed 
by  all  the  parties  of  these  Presents  that  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
her  at  any  time  during  the  said  Marriage  to  make  publish 
and  declare,  the  said  Marriage  or  any  thing  herein  (iontained  to 
the  Contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  Provided 
Nevertheless  and  it  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the 
Parties  to  these  Presents  that  it  shall  and  may  be  Lawful  to 
and  for  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  Mary  Philipse  jointly  at  any 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  91 

time  or  times  during  the  said  Marriage  to  Sell  and  Dispose  of 
any  part  of  the  said  Several  Lots  or  Parcels  of  Land  or  of  any- 
other  her  Lands  Tenements  Hereditaments  and  real  Estate 
whatsoever  to  the  value  of  three  thousand  Pounds  Current 
Money  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  in  case  the  said  sum 
of  three  thousand  Pounds  be  not  raised  by  such  Sale  or  Sales 
during  their  joint  Lives  and  they  have  issue  between  them  that 
then  it  shall  be  Lawful  for  the  survivor  of  them  to  raise  the  said 
Sum  by  the  Sale  of  any  Part  of  the  said  Lands  or  such  deficien- 
cy thereof  as  shall  not  then  have  been  already  raised  there- 
out so  as  to  make  up  the  said  full  sum  of  three  thousand 
pounds  anything  hereinbefore  contained  to  the  contrary  there- 
of in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  And  the  said  Roger  Morris 
for  and  in  Consideration  of  the  premises  and  the  sum  of  five 
shillings  Current  Money  of  the  Province  of  New  York  to  him 
in  hand  paid  by  the  said  Johanna  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robin- 
son Doth  hereby  for  himself  his  Heirs,  Executors  and  Admin- 
istrators Covenant  Promise  Grant  and  agree  to  and  with  the 
said  Johanna  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robinson  their  and  each  of 
their  Heirs  Executors  and  Administrators  in  manner  and  form 
following  that  is  to  say,  that  in  case  the  said  Mary  Philipse 
shall  survive  him  the  said  Roger  Morris,  that  then  &  in  such 
case  immediately  after  his  Death  all  &  singular  the  Monies  and 
personal  Estate  whatsoever  he  shall  die  possessed  shall  be  ac- 
counted the  proper  monies  and  Estate  of  the  said  Mary  Philipse 
during  her  Natural  Life,  and  after  her  Decease  in  case  there  be 
no  issue  begotten  between  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  Mary 
Philipse  then  living  that  then  the  said  Monies  and  Personal 
Estate  shall  and  may  be  had  and  taken  by  the  Executors  and 
Administrators  of  the  said  Roger  Morris  these  Presents  or  any 
thing  herein  Contained  to  the  Contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  not- 
withstanding, but  if  such  Child  or  Children  shall  survive  the 
said  Roger  Morris  and  Mary  Philipse  then  the  said  monies  and 
estate  to  be  divided  among  them  in  such  Shares  and  Propor- 
tions as  he  the  said  Roger  Morris  shall  think  fit  at  any  time 
hereafter  by  his  Last  Will  and  Testament  or  otherwise  to  order 
and  direct. 

"  In  witness  whereof  all  the  parties  first  above  named 
have  to  these  Parts  hereof  all  of  the  same  Tenor 
and  Date  set  their  Hands  and  Seals  the  Date 
and  Year  first  above  written. 


92  history  of  putnam  county. 

"  Maey  Philipse.  (L.  S.) 

"Roger  Mokeis.  (L.  S.) 

"  Johanna  Philipse.  (L.  S.) 

"  Bev.  Robinson.  (L.  S.)" 

Recorded  in  Secretary  of  State's  office,  Albany,  Liber  20, 
p.  550. 

Five  days  after  the  execution  of  this  instrument,  on  the  19th 
of  January,  1758,  Col.  Morris  and  Mary  Philipse  were  married 
in  the  old  Manor  House  at  Yonkers,  with  all  the  pomp  and 
splendor  that  was  worthy  of  their  station  and  suited 
to  their  circumstances.  The  greater  portion  of  their  time  was 
passed  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the  place  where  they 
lived  is  well  known  in  modern  times  as  the  famous  Jumel  man- 
sion, within  whose  walls  have  congregated  alike  the  noted  men 
of  the  early  days  of  the  republic  and  the  distinguished  char- 
acters of  more  recent  times.  At  the  time  of  the  commencement 
of  the  Revolution,  Col.  Morris  was  a  member  of  Council  for  the 
colony,  and  continued  in  office  till  the  close  of  the  war  and  the 
declaration  of  peace  put  a  final  end  to  British  rule  and  estab- 
lished a  new  nation.  As  a  more  extended  sketch  of  Col.  Robin- 
son and  Col.  Morris  will  be  found  in  another  jjlace,  it  is  suffic- 
ient to  state  that  both  were  among  the  most  prominent  of  the 
royalists,  who  throughout  the  war,  supported  the  efiforts  of  the 
British  government  to  crush  the  liberties  of  their  native  -land. 
Under  these  circumstances  it  can  not  be  surprising,  that  when 
the  final  triumph  came,  the  State  should  deem  unworthy  of  its 
protection  the  persons  and  the  property  of  those  who  had  ad- 
hered to  the  cause  of  the  enemies  of  its  freedom. 

It  was  in  accordance  with  this  view  that  an  act  of  attainder 
was  passed  confiscating  the  property  of  the  most  jorominent  of 
the  royalists,  and  banishing  them  from  the  State: 

"An  act  for  the  forfeiture  and  sale  of  the  estates  of  persons  who 
have  adhered  to  the  enemies  of  this  State,  etc.,  passed  Oc- 
tober 22d,  1779: 
"  Whereas,  during  the  present  unjust  and  cruel  war  waged 
by  the  King  of  Great  Britain  against  the  State  and  the  other 
United  States  of  America,  divers  persons  holding  or  claiming 
property  within  this  State,  have  voluntarily  been  adherent  to 
the  said  King,  his  fleets  and  armies,  enemies  to  this  State,  and 
the  said  other  United  States,  with  intent  to  subvert  the  govern- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  93 

ment  and  liberties  of  this  State  and  the  said  other  United  States 
and  to  bring  the  same  in  subjection  to  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain;  by  reason  whereof,  the  said  persons  having  severally 
justly  forfeited  all  right  to  the  protection  of  this  State,  and  to 
the  benefit  of  the  laws  under  which  such  property  is  held  or 
claimed:  And  whereas  the  public  justice  and  safety  of  this 
State  absolutely  require,  that  the  most  notorious  offenders 
should  be  immediately  hereby  convicted  and  attainted  of  the 
offence  aforesaid  in  order  to  work  a  forfeiture  of  their  respec- 
tive estates  and  vest  the  same  in  the  people  of  this  State. 

"  And  whereas  the  Constitution  of  this  State  hath  authorized 
the  Legislature  to  pass  acts  of  attainder  for  crimes  committed 
before  the  termination  of  the  present  war. 

"  Section  1.  Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  and  it  is 
hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  William 
Tryon,  Esq.,  late  Governor  of  the  said  Colony,  *  *  Roger 
Morris,  *  *  Mary  Morris,  wife  of  said  Roger  Morris,  *  * 
Beverley  Robinson,  *  *  Susannah  Robinson,  wife  of  said 
Beverley  Robinson,  be,  and  each  of  them  are  hereby  severally 
declared  to  be  ipso  facto  convicted  and  attainted  of  the  offense 
aforesaid,  and  that  all  and  sipgular  the  estate,  both  real  and 
personal,  held  or  claimed  by  them  the  said  persons  severally 
and  respectively,  whether  in  possession,  reversion  or  remainder, 
within  this  State,  on  the  date  .  of  the  passage  of  the  act,  shall 
be,  and  hereby  is  declared  to  be  forfeited  to,  and  vested  in,  the 
people  of  this  State." 

Sj  the  provisions  of  this  act  John  Hathorn,  Samuel  Dodge 
and  Daniel  Graham  were  appointed  commissioners  to  sell  con- 
fiscated and  forfeited  estates.  Under  the  power  given  to  them 
by  this  act,  they  proceeded  to  the  sale.  In  a  large  number  of 
cases,  in  fact  a  majority,  the  lands  were  sold  to  the  parties  who 
were  already  in  possession  of  the  various  farms,  as  tenants  of 
Beverly  Robinson  and  Roger  Morris,  by  the  right  of  their 
respective  wives.  On  the  12th  day  of  May,  1781,  another  act 
was  passed  "  for  the  speedy  sale  of  confiscated  and  forfeited 
estates  and  for  other  purposes."  By  this  act,  Daniel  Graham, 
one  of  the  former  commissioners,  was  ajjpointed  a  sole  commis- 
sioner for  sales  in  the  middle  district.  He  employed  Henry 
Dodge,  Esq.,  of  Poughkeepsie,  as  surveyor  to  assist  in  the 
work,  who  stated  at  a  later  date  that  "he  was  a  long  time  em- 


94  HISTOKY    OP   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

ployed  and  formed  a  field  book  of  at  least  a  quire  of  paper, 
completely  filled  with  descriptions  of  the  parcels  <iisposed  of  by 
Mr.  Graham." 

This  field  book  and  every  trace  of  the  proceedings  of  Mr. 
Graham  as  sole  commissioner  were  lost  and  have  never  been 
found. 

The  Legislature,  in  1819,  passed  a  concurrent  resolution:  "  Re- 
solved that  the  Surveyor  General  cause  to  be  surveyed  and  as- 
certained the  lands  forfeited  to  the  people  of  this  State  by  the 
attainder  of  Robert  Morris  and  Mary  his  wife  situated  in  the 
former  County  of  Dutchess  and  now  in  the  Counties  of  Dutch- 
ess and  Putnam,  claimed  by  John  Jacob  Astor  and  others,  and 
that  he  also  ascertain  whether  any  and  which  of  the  said  lands 
so  forfeited  and  claimed  remains  unsold  by  or  under  the  author, 
ity  of  this  State,  and  that  he  report  thereon  to  the  Legislature 
at  their  next  Session." 

In  accordance  with  this  the  surveyor  general  appointed  Henry 
Livingston  his  agent  to  obtain  the  requisite  information.  He 
engaged  as  surveyors  Mr.  James  Dodge,  of  Poughkeepsie,  and 
Mr.  Samuel  Thurston,  of  Clinton,  and  they  with  six  assistants 
met  on  Lot  No.  3,  on  the  2d  of  August,  1819,  and  finished  their 
surveys  on  the  16  th.  The  report  which  he  made  to  the  surveyor 
general  conveys  a  very  extended  information  on  the  subject,  and 
states,  "I  caused  the  exterior  limits  of  Lots  3-5-9  with  every 
open  highway  and  all  the  ponds  to  be  carefully  surveyed  and 
the  maps  designated  every  house  and  the  name  of  its  occupant." 
The  sales  made  by  the  three  commissionei"s  first  named  were  en- 
tered in  a  book  in  abstract.  The  abstract  gives  the  name  of  the 
purchaser,  the  price  paid,  the  date,  the  name  of  the  person  by 
whose  attainder  it  became  forfeited,  and  a  full  description  of 
the  land  by  the  courses  and  distances  of  survey.  This  book  is 
Liber  8,  of  the  Record  of  Deeds,  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of 
Dutchess  county.  The  first  page,  which  is  mutilated  by  having 
about  one-third  torn  off,  contains  a  formal  deed  to  one  David 
Collins.     On  the  last  page  of  the  book  is  the  following: 

"  The  foregoing  is  a  true  abstract  of  the  sales  of  forfeited 
estates  made  by  us  the  subscribers  Commissioners  of  Forfeiture 
for  the  Middle  District,  in  the  County  of  Dutchess,  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  sundry  laws,  of 
the  said  State  in  that  case  made  and  provided." 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  95 

"New  York  30th  August  1788. 

"  John  Hathorn,  |  Commissioners  of 
"  Saml.  Dodge,  >  Forfeiture  for  the 
"  Danl.  Q-eaham,  )  Middle  District." 

The  following  list  is  taken  from  the  report  of  Henry  Living- 
ston to  the  surveyor  general.  It  seems  that  formal  deeds  were 
given  to  the  various  purchasers,  many  of  which  have  been  put 
on  record  in  the  offices  of  the  clerks  of  both  Putnam  and  Dutch- 
ess counties,  and  abstracts  alone  were  entered  as  stated,  in  Liber 
8  of  Deeds. 

"  Sales  of  land  in  Lot  No.  5,  of  Philipse  Patent,  belonging  to 
Roger  Morris  and  his  wife  Mary:— Wm.  Smith  land  near  Red 
Mills,  3i  acres;  Wm.  Smith  The  Red  Mills  including  the  large 
Island,  188,  172,  71,  314;  John  Drake,  262;  Abraham  Hyatt,  70; 
Joseph  Gregory,  279;  John  Crane,  164;  John  Berry,  50;  Joshua 
Horton,  262;  Jehiel  Bouton,  189;  Isaac  Pierce,  126;  James 
Cock  (small  island),  6;  Jo^iah  Faulkner,  43;  John  Avery,  159; 
John  De  Clare,  89;  Charles  F.  Weisenfels,  137;  John  Berry  and 
John  McLean,  141;  John  Oakley,  111;  Joseph  and  Daniel  Cole, 
230;  John  Dearman,  72;  David  Smith,  318;  Nathaniel  Nott,  98; 
Ebenezer  Cole,  36;  Isaac  Requa,  130;  Isaac  Lounsberry,  202; 
Jonathan  Stokum,  97;  Charles  Agor,  94;  Isaac  Rhodes,  221; 
Hannah  Brewer,  89;  Thomas  Bryant,  129;  Isaac  Rhodes,  221; 
Hannah  Brewer,  89;  Elisha  Cole,  117,  396;  Isaac  Barrett,  121; 
Isaac  Austin,  92;  Nathan  Lane,  278;  John  Smith,  70;  John 
O'Brien,  210;  Ebenezer  Boyd,  71,  98,  8,  157;  David  Frost,  168; 
John  Booth,  128;  Thomas  Horton,  160;  Abraham  Mabie,  187; 
Joseph  Farrington,  141;  Josiah  Farrington,  310;  Justus  Berrit, 
130;  Joseph  Ogden,  34;  John  Russell,  39;  Samuel  Hunt,  117. 
James  Townsend,  352;  Wm.  Haddon,  138;  Jeremiah  Sprague, 
98;  Amy  Haight,  96;  Ebenezer  Boyd,  461,  110,  220,  400;  Isaac 
Rhodes,  32;  Peter  Badeau,  217;  Jabez  Berry,  188;  Peter  Mabie, 
105;  Peter  Mabie,  68;  Peleg  and  Shubael  Wixom,  193;  Israel 
Pinckney,  144;  Comfort  Chadwick,  68;  Abner  Doty,  90;  James 
Cock,  131;  Wm.  Hitchcock,  178;  Peter  Banker,  149;  JohnGean, 
194;  John  Crane  and  others,  360;  Charles  Serrine,  198;  Joseph 
Gregory,  130;  John  Merritt,  94;  Tho.  &  Zebedee  Kirkland,  336; 
James  Serrine,  ]11;  Charles  Heroy,  112;  John  Adams,  90; 
Robert  Hughson,  363;  Daniel  Knapp,  162;  Robert  Russell,  62; 
John  Secor,  124;  Isaac  Secor,  124;  Moses  Knapp,  230;  Timothy 
Carver,  355;  Abigail  Clark,  132;  Ebenezer  Lockwood,  144;  Isaac 


96  HISTOEY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Badeau,  94;  John  Requa,  132;  Isaac  Hopkins,  13;  Israel  Knapp, 
120;  Solomon  Hopkins,  341;  Benj.  Knapp,  127;  Wm.  Hitch- 
cock, 26;  Solomon  Hopkins,  220,  82;  Samuel  Ballard,  54;  Wm. 
Ballard,  93;  Isaac  Drew,  187;  Comfort  Chad  wick,  117;  James 
Smalley,  232;  Moses  Mead,  256;  Samuel  Hawkins,  100;  John 
Post,  81;  Johnston  Deakin,  230;  Joseph  Farrington,  160 
Robert  Fuller,  ;  Peter.  Anderson,   250;   John   Beyea,    132 

Thomas  Russell,  166;  Wm.  Goodfellow,  66;  John  Russell,  39 
Samuel  Morger,  211;  Jesse  Hunt,  163;  Wm.  Falconer  (island),  1. 

"Sales  in  Lot.  No.  9:  Ebenezer  Philipse,  162;  Ezra  Gregory, 
106;    Jonathan   Brown,    351;    Jonathan   Crane,    12.";    Edmond 
Mead,  218;    Charles  Graham,  316;   Philip  Leek,   129;    Moody 
Howes,  259;  James  Sackett,   138;    Isaac   Townsend,    156;  Seth 
Paddock,  293;  Nathan  Green,  269;  Thomas  Lowrie,   119;  Silas 
Paddock,   174;  John  Gove,   237;  Timothy  Delavan,  106;  Benj. 
and  Enoch  Crosby,  276,  103;  Stephen  Field,  405;  Maurice  Smith, 
206;  Nathaniel  Delavan,  228;  Ezra  Richards,  187;  Jacob  Ellis, 
146;  Peleg  Bailey,  123;  Wm.  Yeomans,   122;  John  Crab,  143 
Joseph  Haskins,  174;  John  Gannung,  178;  Gilbert  Haight,  48 
Wm.  Field,  100;  Billy  Trowbridge,  287,;  Samuel  Delevan,  112 
James  Dunn,   30;  Abel  Van  Scoy,   120;  Jacob   Van  Scoy,  88 
John   Davis,    116;    Sylvanus  Covert,    49;    Gilbert  Haight,    64 
Mahar    Nelson,   132;  Wm.   Higby,   128;  Henry  Charlick,  383 
Ichabod  Marvin,  74;  Thomas  Adams,  270;  Thomas  Russells,  166 
Richard  Williams,    109;    Joseph  Randall,   221;  Samuel  Carle, 
270;  Frederick  Pickney,  29;  Wm.   Lovelace,  107;  Moses  Rich- 
ards,  177;  Mary  Haines,   301;  John  Piatt,  100;  Edmond  Rice, 
284;  David  Paddock,  304;  Hannah  Nickerson,   229;  Nehemiah 
Wood,   147;    John  Field,  354;    Uriah   Wallace,   69;    Jeremiah 
Mead,  111;  David  Cowen,  92;  John  Townsend,  100;  John  Dan, 
99;  Isaac  Paddock,  153;  Moses  Gage,   97;  John  Dickinson  and 
David  Bull,  17;  John  Dickinson,  210;  Heman  King,  284;  Michael 
Piatt,   167;    Solomon  Field,   267;    Caleb  Palmer,   75;  Consider 
Carman,  180;  Samuel  Hawkins,  27;  Richard  Ayres,  200;  Robert 
Shaw,  190;  Abel  Van  Scoy,  76;  Samuel  Jones,  194;  David  Por- 
ter,  190;    Jacob  Kniffen,  260;  Zacheus  Newcomb,   165;  Henry 
Charlick,  171;  Daniel  Hunt,  8;  Ichabod  Marvin,  100. 

"  Sales  made  in  Lot  3  of  Roger  Morris:  Jonathan  Pine,  240; 
Maurice  Smith,  142;  John  Haight,  256;  AVm.  Wright,  125;  Cor- 
nelius Adriance,  21|;  Joseph  Huestis,  296;  Benjamin  Bloomer, 
460f ;  Gilbert  Bloomer,  298f ;  John  Barton,  108i;  Charity  Hues- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  '        97 

tis,   219;   Peter  Dubois,   293^;  Martin  Willsie,  4  parcels,  528^ 
John  Van  Amburg,  346f ;  Judith  Crownell,  153;  Gilbert  Weeks 
285;  Israel  Knapp,  168;  Isaac  Springer,  60;  Philip  Pelton,  49 
Jonathan  Miller,  106;  Titus  Travis,   118;  Jedediah  Frost,  143 
Richard  Christian,   331;  John  Budd,  200;  James  Langdon,  82 
David  Hanion,   200;  Paul  Sparling.   54;  Gilbert  Bloomer,  187 
Nathaniel  Anderson,  266;  Daniel  Ter'  Bos,  three  parcels,  1497 
Benj.  Bloomer,  430;  John  Haight  and  John  Nelson,  371^;  Israel 
Knapp,  354;  Cornelius  Adriance,  27;  Squire  Baker,  30;  Andrew 
Hill,  385;  Paul  Sparling,  54.     Total  No.  of  acres  sold  in  Lots 
3-5-9,  39100." 

Previous  to  the  Revolution,  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife  sold 
to  Ebenezer  Boyd  and  William  Hill,  600  acres  in  Lot  No.  5. 
The  marsh  or  meadow  between  Constitution  Island  and  Lot  2 
was  divided  as  stated  before,  and  the  north  part  fell  to  Mary 
Morris.  From  this  share  the  commissioners  sold  parcels  to 
Martin  Wilsie,  Solomon  Cornell,  Charity  Huestis,  Matthew 
Snook  and  Justus  Nelson,  amounting  to  55^  acres.  Mr.  Livings- 
ton reported  as  follows: 

"Population  of  Lot  No.  3,  seventy-five  houses  containing 

as  many  families,  reckoning  six  to  a  family,     .         .         450 

' '  On  Lot  5  three  hundred  and  twenty  families,  reckoning 

six  to  a  family,     .  1,920 

"  On  Lot  9  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine  families,  reckon- 
ing six  to  a  family, 774 


"Total,  3,144 

'•  From  my  own  observation  and  that  of  others  I  deem  that 
4,600  acres  are  under  cultivation  in  Lot  No.  3. 

"  On  Lot  No.  5  14,939  acres  under  cultivation. 

"On  Lot  No.  9  7,348  acres  inclosed  and  improved. 

"Total  acres  improved  26,887." 

"Uncultivated  and  unimproved  23,962,  in  all  50,849  acres. 

"  The  assessors  of  the  towns  of  Kent  and  Carmel,  furnished 
their  returns,  of  such  part  of  their  respective  towns  as  were 
embraced  in  Lots  5  and  9: 

"The  valuation  of  real  estate,  in  that  part  of  Lot  5 

which  lies  in  the  town  of  Kent  is,        .         .        §81,981.00 

"  In  the  town  of  Carmel, 234,230.00 

"  Total  Assessors  valuation  of  Lot  5,  .         .         316,211.00 

7 


98  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"Assessors  valuation  of  real  estate  on  Lot  9,  in 

town  of  South  East, 250,394.00 

"  I  could  not  procure  the  assessors  returns  of  Lot 
No.  3  in  Philip  and  Fishkill  Towns  but  from 
good  information  state  it,       .        .        .        .        81,022.00 

Total  of  Lots  3-5-9,  $647,627.00." 

Mr.  Livingston  adds  the  following  observations  which  are 
interesting  as  showing  the  conditions  of  this  part  of  the  county 
eighty  years  ago: 

"Lot  No.  3,  contains  9,200  acres,  of  these  2,000  are  feasible 
and  well  improved.  Hardly  equal  however  to  some  parts  of 
Lot  5  which  lie  in  Carmel  and  various  parcels  on  Lot  No.  9. 
Three  thousand  more  may  be  equal  to  the  better  parts  of  Lot 
No.  5  lying  in  Kent  and  the  middling  qualities  of  the  same  Lot 
in  Carmel.  The  residue  of  this  Lot  is  mountainous  some  alto- 
gether inaccessible,  the  buildings  are  erected  upon  a  humble 
scale,  all  wood.  Perhaps  one- third  of  the  field  enclosures  are 
stone.  It  is  perfectly  well  watered  by  springs  and  rivulets.  The 
farmers  all  reside  at  inconsiderable  distances  from  either  Fish- 
kill  or  Cold  Springs  landings.  This  adds  value  to  their  several 
estates." 

"Lot  No.  5. 

"The  northern  part  of  this  Lot  and  that  which  lies  in  the 
town  of  Kent  is  mountainous  and  Rocky.  Some  of  the  valleys 
are  excellent  meadows  and  where  the  soil  can  be  come  at 
is  good.  But  these  estimable  portions  bear  but  a  small  propor- 
tion to  the  more  rugged  parts.  The  Southern  division  of  this 
tract  and  which  is  the  town  of  Carmel  is  hilly  but  cannot  be 
deemed  mountainous.  Here  extensive  and  excellent  meadows 
every  where  meet  the  eye,  and  tillage  is  well  attended  to.  The 
soil  however  is  generally  stony,  very  little  wheat  is  grown  on 
this  Lot.  Rye  forms  the  bread  of  a  very  large  majority.  Their 
exports  are  rye  Indian  corn  buckwheat  beef  pork  butter  and 
cheese.  The  whole  of  this  Lot  is  well  watered  by  ponds  and 
small  streams.  Mahopac  is  a  beautiful  pond,  has  several  islands 
and  contains  659  acres  of  water.  This  and  nine  other  ponds 
embelish  this  County.  These  waters  all  abound  in  fish.  The 
northern  section  of  this  Lot  can  pass  to  the  Cold  Spring  landing 
on  an  excellent  turnpike  road,  but  the  middle  and  southern  di- 
visions choose  the  port  of  Peekskill.    The  buildings  on  this  Lot 


GENERAL   HISTOET.  99 

are  generally  below  mediocrity.     Many  however  are  comfort- 
able.    The  day  for  elegance  has  not  arrived.'''' 

"Lot  No.  9. 

"Is  so  very  like  the  south  part  of  Lot  5  that  a  description 
of  the  one  is  a  portrait  of  the  other.  This  tract  is  not 
really  mountainous  but  yet  is  very  near  it.  The  soil  is  good  but 
stony.  Croton  river  enters  near  its  northwest  and  leaves  at  its 
Southeast  angle.  Ponds  also  beautify  this  tract  and  small 
streams  abound.  More  than  half  the  field  enclosures  in  this 
Lot  as  well  as  Lot  6  are  composed  of  stone.  A  turnpike  road 
passes  through  this  Lot  from  the  north  east  to  the  south  east 
corner,  ending  at  Sing  Sing." 

Sales  by  the  Commissioners  of  Forfeitures  of  the  Lands  of 
Beverly  Robinson  and  wife.  Sales  in  Lot  No.  4: — Squire  Baker, 
116  acres;  Joshua  Tompkins,  112;  Nathaniel  Jagger,  87;  Titus 
Travis,  118;  John  Russell,  101;  Josiah  Ingersoll,  30;  John  Clin- 
ton, 110;  Wm.  White,  179^;  Philip  Pelton  and  Joshua  Myrick, 
500,  500,  178;  Gilbert  Oakley,  130;  Richard  Denny,  114i;  Na- 
thaniel Tompkins,  219;  John  Hyatt  and  Isaac  Penier,  232;  Rich- 
ard Slatterly,  320^;  John  Likely,  96|;  Wm.  Colegrove,  187; 
John  Hyatt,  316;  Comfort  Luddington,  15;  Elijah  Oakley,  264; 
Caleb  Frisbee,  99;  John  Denny,  106;  Cornelius  Tompkins,  240; 
Daniel  Bugbee,  220;  Anthony  Field,  500;  Richard  Denny,  80^; 
Samuel  Cromwell,  239;  Titus  Travis,  127^;  Jonathan  Miller,  106i; 
Jedediah  Frost,  143;  Gabriel  Acker,  ]72;  Philip  Steinback,  122i; 
Peter  Rickey,  287;  Thomas  Hill,  370;  Richard  Christian,  331i; 
Wm.  Crawford,  281;  Reuben  Tompkins,  21 7i;  Daniel  Delavan, 
370;  Hyatt  Lane,  203;  Richard  Denny,  129i;  John  Hyatt  and 
Isaac  Penier,  461^,  480^;  John  Budd,  200;  James  Langdon,  82; 
Wm.  Smith,  188;  Nathan  Lane,  278;  Ebenezer  Boyd,  192;  Sam- 
uel Drake,  51,  74;  Joseph  Paine,  117;  John  Hoyt,  154;  Robert 
Oakley,  221J;  Gilbert  Lockwood,  137;  Jesse  Owen,  188;  Zeph- 
aniah  Piatt  and  John  Bailey,  495,  500;  Jacobus  Swarthout,  110 
Mary  Conklin,  370;  Comfort  Luddington,  15;  Caleb  Frisbee,  99 
Henry  Kiers,  147;  John  Brinkerhoff,  250;  James  Sherwood,  160 
Isaac  Springer,  50;  Jonathan  Price,  240;  Thomas  Lewis,  207 
John  Yeomans,  134;  John  Christian,  259;  John  Shouck,  280 
John  Weeks,  425;  Thomas  Bashford,  158;  Moses  Dusenbury, 
105;  Nathaniel  Jagger,  123;  Sibert  Cronk,  240;  Joshua  Tomp- 
kins, 185,  111,  37;  John  Campbell,  439;  Abraham  Baker,  438; 
Gilbert  Budd,  85;  Widow  Hester  Van  Tassel,  123f  Oliver  Odell, 


100  HISTORY    OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

172;  Matthew  McCabe,  193;  Daniel  Willsie,  130;  Ezekiel-  Gee^ 
200;  Samuel  Drake,  500;  Joshua  Drake,  500;  Solomon  Hopkine, 
260;  John  Horton,  140^;  James  Jacocks,  162;  Jonathan  Owens, 
272i,  312i;  Amos  Odell,  46^;  Henry  Post  and  Isaac  Odell,  227^; 
Thomas  Smith  and  Jacob  Reed,  1341-;  Joseph  Bard,  184;  Wm. 
Oakley,  129;  John  Hyatt  and  George  Lane,  465;  Jacobus  Swart- 
hout,  464;  Jacob  Griffin,  397;  Richard  Christian,  Jr.,  152f; 
John  McDonald,  112i;  George  Lowe,  239;  Wm.  Dusenburry, 
305i;  Peter  Barager,  213;  James  Perry,  150;  John  Smith,  165; 
John  Hyatt  and  Nathaniel  Hyatt,  457;  Joshua  Hyatt,  457;  Solo- 
mon Smith,  163;  Hannah  Knapp,  222^;  Abraham  Post,  252; 
Moses  Dusenburry,  115^;  John  Drake,  271;  Jesse  Owens,  82; 
Moses  Dusenburry,  217^. 

Sales  in  Lot  No.  7:  Elija  Oakley,  264  acres;  David  Hill,  160 
Joseph  Crawford,  85^;  Alexander  Kidd,  111;  David  Close,  159 
James  Hays,  252;  Ephraim  Warren,  128;  John  Newbury,  125 
David  Hecocks,  293;  Roswell  Wilcox,  161;  John  Burck,  130 
Peter  Coiley,  17;  Increase  Bennett,  4;  Anthony  Post,  98;  Na- 
thaniel Delavan,  465;  Caleb  Frisbee,  115;  Robert  Morris,  300; 
Wm.  Duer,  208;  John  Newbury,  60;  Anthony  Post,  28  poles;, 
John  Burch,  40  acres;  Abraham  St.  John,  200;  Jonathan  Burck, 
112;  James  Calkins,  48^;  Robert  Mooney,  146;  Benjamin  Bird- 
sail,  30i;  John  Healy,  208;  James  Pairley,  119;  Matthew  Pat- 
terson, 157;  Abraham  St.  John,  59;  Comfort  Sands,  187;  Nehe- 
miah  Stebbins,  329;  Benjamin  Birdsall,  173;  Henry  Luddington,. 
Samuel  Mills,  Billy  Trowbridge,  Benaijah  Beardsley,  338  and 
126;  Uriah  Wallace,  80;  Samuel  T.  Pell,  300;  Comfort  Ludding- 
ton, 200;  James  Philips,  113;  Jehiel  Weed,  170;  Daniel  Shaw, 
1|;  Samuel  Towner,  269;  Jedediah  Wyllys,  105;  Thomas  Mit- 
chell, 122;  Asa  Howes,  271;  Jedediah  Wyllys,  200;  Robert 
Morris,  194;  James  Corey,  85^;  David  Hecocks,  120;  Ephraim 
Jones,  119;  Comfort  Sands,  456;  Ezra  Gregory,  166;  James 
Rosekrans,  118;  Anthony  Post,  Matthew  Patterson,  Alexander 
Kidd,  399;  Wm.  B.  Alger,  250,  70. 

Lots. 

In  this  lot  there  was  sold  to  Philip  Pelton,  Benjamin  Pelton 
and  Daniel  Pelton,  159  acres,  being  in  two  parcels.  This  was 
land  formerly  sold  by  John  Ogilvie  and  Margaret  Ogilvie  to 
Edward  Price,  and  afterward  owned  by  Tertullus  Dickerson, 
by  whose  conviction  it  was  forfeited.     This  tract  or  a  part  of  it 


GENERAL   HISTOKY.  101 

now  belongs  to  Theodore  Kelly.  The  old  "  Burcham  Mills" 
stood  on  this  tract  before  the  Revolution. 

Sales  in  Lot  No.  1:  The  greater  part  of  this  lot  was  sold  to 
William  Denning,  a  wealthy  merchant  of  New  York.  The 
whole  of  the  western  part  of  the  lot  was  sold  to  him  by  Daniel 
Oraham,  the  surveyor  general  of  the  State,  as  commissioner  of 
forfeitures.  A  tract  adjoining  this  on  the  east  and  running  the 
whole  length  of  the  lot  was  also  sold  to  William  Denning  by 
Daniel  Graham,  May  3d,  1785.  These  two  deeds  include  all  the 
lot  except  a  comparatively  small  tract  in  the  southeast  corner. 
Of  this  a  tract  of  about  439  acres  was  sold  to  Major  John  Camp- 
bell. The  parsonage  farm  of  St.  Peters  Church  and  St.  Philips 
Chapel  embraced  about  200  acres,  and  lay  next  east  of  Major 
Campbell's,  and  was  given  to  the  church  by  the  State,  while  near 
the  southeast  corner  was  a  larger  tract  sold  to  John  Meeks. 
Jonathan  Owen  also  had  a  tract  of  about  580  acres,  which  lay 
at  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of  Lot  No.  1. 

Sales  in  the  Oblong:  By  the  attainder  of  Henry  Clinton, 
several  parcels  of  land  were  sold  in  the  Oblong.  The  following 
is  a  partial  list:  Isaac  Elwell,  41  acres;  Benjamin  Sears,  48,  82; 
Joseph  Crane,  Jr.,  25;  Mark  Gage,  75;  Elihu  Gage,  53,  71;  An- 
thony Gage,  112;  Nathaniel  Sinclair,  4;  Thomas  Higgins,  95^; 
John  Elwell,  15;  Joseph  Drake,  3;  John  Starr,  83^;  Wm.  Clin- 
ton, 29,  46;  Benjamin  Sears,  25. 

The  Oblong  was  not  a  part  of  the  Philipse  Patent.  Its  history 
will  be  found  in  a  succeeding  chapter. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


THE  GORE. 


THE  Gore  was  a  tract  of  land  to  the  north  of  the  Philipse 
Patent  and  was  for  many  years  a  source  of  dispute  ani 
litigation  between  the  Philipse  famijy  and  the  owners  of  the 
Rumbont  and  Beekman  Patents,  which  adjoined  them  on  the 
north.  The  vague  and  indefinite  manner  in  which  the  bounds 
of  early  land  grants  were  described  almost  invariably  led  to 
disputes  of  this  nature.  In  this  case  the  dispute  arose,  not 
from  uncertainty  as  to  the  bounds  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  but 
from  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  south  lines  of  the  Rum- 
bout  and  Beekman  Patents  were  described.  The  south  bounds 
of  the  Rumbout  Patent  are  thus  defined:  "  Also  from  the  said 
Fish  kill  or  creek  called  Mateawam,  along  the  said  Fish  kill 
into  the  woods  at  the  foot  of  the  High  Hills,  including  all  the 
reed  or  low  lands  at  the  south  side  of  said  creek,  with  an  easterly 
line  four  hours  going,  sixteen  English  miles." 

The  Beekman  Patent  was  described  as  "  Beginning  at  the 
north  side  of  the  Highlands,  at  the  east  of  the  lands  of  Col. 
Van  Cortlandt  and  Company  (that  is  the  Rumbout  Patent)  so 
far  as  the  line  between  the  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Colony 
of  Connecticut  extends." 

The  bounds  of  the  Philipse  Patent  were  described  as  beginning 
at  Anthony's  Nose,  which  was  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
patent,  and  running  north  along  the  Hudson  River  "until  it 
comes  to  the  Creek  River  or  Run  of  water  called  the  Great  Fish 
kill  to  the  northward  and  above  the  Highlands  which  is  like- 
wise the  southward  bounds  of  a  tract  of  land  belonging  to  Col. 
Stephanus  Cortlandt  and  Company  and  so  easterly  along  Col. 
Cortlandt' s  line  and  the  south  bounds  of  Col.  Henry  Beekman 
until  it  comes  twenty  miles  or  unto  the  Division  Line  between 
our  Colony  of  Connecticut  &c." 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  103 

The  PMlipse  family  claimed  that  by  the  terms  of  the  Rum- 
bout  Patent  the  Fishkill  Creek  was  its  south  boundary  and,  as 
the  Philipse  Patent  was  bounded  on  the  north  by  that  patent, 
it  followed  that  the  Fishkill  was  their  northern  boundary. 
Again  as  the  Beekman  Patent  was  said  to  be  "  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Highlands"  and  they  were  bounded  north  by  the  Beek- 
man Patent,  it  followed  that  they  owned  all  the  land  south  of 
the  north  line  of  the  mountains.  On  the  other  hand  the  pro- 
prietors of  both  the  Eumbout  and  Beekman  Patents  claimed 
that  the  north  line  of  the  Philipse  Patent  was  a  due  east  line 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Fishkill  and  that  their  southern  bound- 
aries extended  to  it. 

Among  the  PMlipse  papers  is  a  brief,  written  by  David  Og- 
den,  the  counsel  for  that  family,  which  states  in  a  few  words 
their  line  of  argument.  "  There  is  no  dispute  as  to  the  point 
of  beginning,  on  the  Southside  of  the  Fishkill.  "As  the  Rum- 
bout  Patent  was  all  that  tract  on  the  north  side  of  the  High- 
lands, no  part  of  the  Highlands  was  included  in  it."  "The 
words  along  the  Fishkill  intended  it  to  be  the  boundary,  as  much 
as  along  the  river."  "That  as  the  Wappingers  kill  with  the 
addition  of  500  rods,  was  the  north  boundary  of  the  Rumbout 
Patent,  so  the  Fishkill,  with  the  reed  or  low  lands,  was  the 
south  boundary."  "The  words  easterly  line  mean  the  same 
with  reference  to  the  Fishkill  that  northerly  does  to  Hudson 
River,  and  that  the  four  hours  going  should  be  measured  along 
the  Fishkill,  and  that  a  straight  line  measured  along  the  Fish- 
kill or  so  as  not  to  go  on  any  of  the  hills,  will  by  the  map  differ 
but  little."  "  That  a  line  running  east  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Fishkill  instead  of  being  on  the  north  of  the  Highlands,  in 
less  than  a  mile  runs  into  them  and  contimies  therein  the  whole 
16  miles." 

He  concludes  that  the  Fishkill  is  the  true  north  boundary  of 
the  Philipse  Patent  except  where  there  are  "reed  or  lowlands," 
and  all  such  belong  to  the  Rumbout  Patent.  After  a  long  con- 
troversy the  dispute  was  settled  January  26th,  1771.  At  that 
time  the  contest  was  between  Lawrence  Lawrence,  who  owned 
one- third  of  the  share  of  Jacobus  Kip  in  the  Rumbout  Patent, 
and  the  heirs  of  Frederick  Philipse,  The  matter  was  left  to  the 
decision  of  William  Nicoll  and  Thomas  Hicks.  They  decided 
that  "a  line  should  begin  at  the  northern  extent  of  the  bushes 
or  shrubs  upon  Plum  Point:  being  the  south  side  of  the  mouth 


104  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  the  Fishkill,  and  should  run  from  thence  East  6  degrees 
North,  as  the  Compass  now  points,  16  miles,  and  that  the  said 
line  shall  forever  hereafter  be  and  remain  the  boundary."  At 
the  Revolution  this  triangular  tract  was  owned  by  Beverly 
Robinson,  Roger  Morris  and  Philip  Philipse.  The  shares  of 
the  first  two  were  confiscated  and  by  a  law  passed  in  1784  the 
tract  was  divided  into  three  lots,  of  which  the  State  of  New 
York  had  two  and  the  heirs  of  Philip  Philipse  had  one.  The 
lot  of  the  Philipse  family  lay  next  to  the  east  line  of  the  Rum- 
bout  Patent  and  was  115  chains  wide  at  the  east  end,  the  course 
of  the  east  line  being  north  25  degrees  30  minutes  west.  This 
lot  is  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town  of  East  Fishkill.  From 
the  Philipse  papers  it  is  found  that  the  cost  of  their  claim  to 
this  Q-ore  was  £1,818,  12s. 

GORE   IN   BEEKMAW   PATENT. 

It  has  been  seen  that  the  owners  of  the  Philipse  Patent 
claimed  that  the  Beekman  Patent  lay  to  the  north  of  the  High- 
lands, and  consequently  covered  no  portion  of  the  mountains, 
while  the  Beekmans  with  equal  pertinacity  claimed  that  their 
south  boundary  should  be  a  line  running  due  east  from  the 
south  side  of  the  mouth  of  Fishkill.  The  controversy  lasted 
for  many  years  and  finally  was  settled,  like  that  concerning  the 
Rumbout  Gore,  by  a  compromise.  On  the  18th  of  January,1758, 
Beverly  Robinson,  Susannah  Robinson,  Philip  Philipse  and 
Mary  Philipse  on  the  one  part,  and  Henry  Beekman,  Catharine 
Pawling  and  Robert  Livingston  on  the  other  part,  mutually 
agreed,  "for  the  ending  of  all  disputes,"  that  a  line  should  be 
run  "from  Mateawara  or  the  mouth  of  Fishkill  as  the  Compass 
now  points  due  east  to  the  Oblong."  From  this  point  on  the  Ob- 
long a  line  was  to  be  run  northerly  along  the  Oblong  line,  200 
chains,  and  from  thence  "a  due  west  line  as  the  Compass  now 
points,"  to  the  rear  of  the  Rumbout  Patent,  and  this  last  line 
should  be  the  boundary  between  the  parties.  Samuel  Willis, 
of  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  was  employed  as  the  surveyor, 
and  the  north  line  is  thus  described: — "  Began  on  the  Oblong 
line  at  a  large  heap  of  stones  set  up  which  bears  N.  25  degrees 
west,  38  links  from  a  large  rock  on  which  are  cut  the  letters  H. 
B.  B.  R.  P.  P. ;  a  new  house  erected  by  Daniel  Chase  bears  the 
same  course  the  rock  does.  From  thence  due  west,  the  line 
runs  about  12  feet  south  of  Wm.    Hunt's  spring  or  fountain, 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  105 

where  Col.  Henry  Beekman  made  the  letters  H.  B.,  on  the  rock 
out  of  which  the  water  of  the  spring  runs.  Said  line  also  crosses 
a  pretty  large  pond  in  the  mountains,  a  little  south  of  the  mid- 
dle. On  the  east  shore  a  monument  is  set  up  about  2  chains 
south  of  one  Baker's  house  standing  in  a  hollow." 

The  rook  mentioned  as  marked  with  the  letters  H.  B.  B.  R. 
P.  P.,  is  still  to  be  seen  and  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  land- 
marks in  this  portion  of  the  country.  It  is  in  the  town  of 
Pawlings,  on  the  homestead  of  Martin  Leach,  and  is  78  feet 
north  of  the  barn,  and  20  feet,  south  of  the  wall  on  the  south 
side  of  the  orchard  (which  wall  is  the  original  north  line  of  the 
Gore)  and  about  '65  feet  west  of  a  wall  running  north  from  the 
east  end  of  the  barn.  Some  20  rods  east  of  this  is  a  piece  of 
low  marshy  ground  and  a  small  stream  running  to  the  south. 
A  large  rock  and  an  old  white  oak  tree  stand  on  the  west 
side  of  the  marsh.  The  "new house  erected  by  Daniel  Chase" 
is  where  the  house  of  Martin  Leach  now  stands,  about  20  rods 
south  of  the  rock.  The  rock  is  95  paces  east  from  the  road 
which  runs  north  and  south.  As  this  farm  includes  land  on 
both  sides  of  the  Oblong,  the  line  itself  has  been  obliterated  by 
the  removal  of  the  fences,  but  the  original  line  was  two  or  three 
feet  west  of  the  rock.  The  letters  P.  P.  are  plainly  visible,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  rock,  which  slopes  downward,and  the  letters 
H.  B.  are  on  the  north  end,  which  is  nearly  perpendicular,  near 
the  top.  The  letters  B.  R.  have  disappeared  and  they  were 
probably  on  a  portion  of  the  rock  which  has  scaled  oflf.  Prom 
this  rock  the  "  Mizzen  Top  "  Hotel  bears  a  little  south  of  east. 
The  farm  and  homestead  were  sold  by  Daniel  Chase  to  Jona- 
than Aikin;  he  left  it  to  his  son  Peter,  who  in  turn  left  it  to  his 
son  Isaac;  he  left  it  to  his  nephew,  Jonathan  Aikin,  who  sold 
it  to  Martin  Leach,  the  present  owner,  about  1870. 

It  is  a  curious  illustration  of  how  easily  old  landmarks  are 
forgotten  that  neither  the  present  owner  nor  his  predecessor  had 
any  knowledge  as  to  the  significance  of  this  marked  monument. 
The  line  running  to  the  west  crosses  the  Harlem  Railroad  about 
100  rods  south  of  Pawlings  Station.  The  "pretty  large  pond 
in  the  mountains,"  is  now  known  as  Whaley  Pond.  The  agree- 
ment above  mentioned  is  recorded  in  the  records  of  Dutchess 
county,  in  Liber  C,  page  190.  The  Gore  thus  obtained  was 
surveyed  into  farms  by  Jonathan  Hampton  and  leased  and  sold 
to  various  parties.     Farm  15,  containing  249  acres,  was  sold  to 


106  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Eeed  Ferris,  February  5th,  1772.  It  was  then  in  possession  of 
Isaiah  and  Joseph  Burch.  By  agreement  Reed  Ferris  was  to 
bear  the  expense  of  any  law  suits  he  might  have  to  sustain  title. 
Farm  19  was  sold  to  Stephen  Wilcox,  and  was  then  in  posses- 
sion of  John  Munroe  and  Amos  Wilcox.  Among  the  purchas- 
ers was  John  Kane,  who  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha 
Kent,  and  was  the  ancestor  of  the  illustrious  explorer.  Dr. 
Elisha  Kent  Kane.  The  homestead  of  John  Kane  is  south  of 
Pawlings  and  was  formerly  known  as  the  "  Slocum  place,"  and 
was  in  1877  the  residence  of  William  H.  Chapman,  Esq.  Mr. 
Kane  kept  a  store  there  previous  to  the  Revolution. 

The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  deed  to  Reed  Ferris.  The 
original  is  written  on  a  large  sheet  of  parchment  and  is  still  in 
possession  of  his  descendants.  The  residence  of  Mr.  Ferris  is 
still  standing. 

"This  indenture  made  the  fifth  day  of  February  in  the 
twelfth  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the 
third  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain  France  and  Ireland 
King  Defender  of  the  Faith  &c.  Annoque  Domini  one  thousand- 
seven  hundred  and  seventy  two  Between  the  Honourable  Roger 
Morris  Esq.  and  Mary  his  Wife  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susan- 
nah his  Wife  the  Reverend  John  Ogilvie  and  Margaret  his 
Wife,  Nathaniel  Marston  and  Adolph  Philipse  of  the  first  Part, 
Reed  Ferris  of  Dutchess  County  Yeoman  of  the  second  Part 
Witnesseth  that  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part  for  and  in 
Consideration  of  the  sum  of  Eight  hundred  pounds  Current 
Money  of  the  Province  of  New  York  to  them  the  said  parties 
of  the  first  Part  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  Reed  Ferris  at  or  be- 
fore the  Ensealing  and  Delivery  of  the  Presents  the  Receipt 
whereof  they  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  thereof  do  acquit  re- 
lease and  Discharge  Reed  Ferris  his  Heirs  Executors  and  Ad- 
ministrators and  every  of  them  by  these  presents  have  granted 
bargained  and  sold  aliened  remised  released  and  by  these  Pres- 
ents Do  fully  freely  and  absolutely  grant  bargain  and  sell  alien 
remise  release  and  confirm  unto  the  said  Reed  Ferris  in  his  ac- 
tual possession  now  being  by  virtue  of  a  bargain  and  Sale  to  him 
*  *  *  and  his  Heirs  and  Assigns  forever  all  these  several 
Tracts  of  Land  Farms  or  Plantations  situate  lying  or  being  in 
Dutchess  County  being  part  of  the  undivided  part  of  Philipse's 
upper  patent  in  Pawlings  Precinct  called  butted  and  bounded 
as  follows  to  witt  Farm  Number  Fifteen  now  in  possession  of 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  107 

Isaiah  and  Joseph  Burch  beginning  at  a  stake  in  the  line  of 
Beverly  Kobinsons  Lot  Number  Seven  being  the  South  East 
Corner  of  farm  number  Seventeen  from  thence  North  forty-four 
Chains  forty  Links  to  farm  Number  Nineteen  then  East  Ninety- 
five  Chains  Eighty  Links  to  the  Corner  of  farm  Number  Nine- 
teen then  North  Ihree  Chains  fifty  Links  to  the  South  west  Cor- 
ner of  Farm  Number  Ten  then  East  thirty-three  Chains  ninety 
Links  to  Farm  Number  Eleven  then  South  Forty-three  Chains 
fifty  links  to  the  Line  of  the  said  Robinson's  Number  seven 
then  south  Eighty -seven  Degrees  West  fifty-nine  Chains  thirty 
Links  along  said  Robinson' s  Line  to  the  beginning  containing 
two  hundred  and  forty-nine  Acres  more  or  less  as  may  appear 
by  a  Map  and  return  Book  made  by  Jonathan  Hampton  may 
appear,  and  also  all  that  farm  or  plantation  called  farm  Number 
Nineteen  in  possession  of  John  Munroe  and  Amos  WilcOx 
butted  and  bounded  as  follows  to  wit  beginning  at  a  Stake  on 
Colonel  Beekman's  or  *  *  *  line  which  is  the  North  West 
corner  of  Farm  Number  Ten  from  thence  South  sixty-seven 
Chains  then  West  forty-four  Chains  Eighty  Links  to  the  South 
East  Corner  of  Farm  Number  sixteen  then  North  thirty-seven 
Chains  to  Farm  Number  thirteen  then  East  twenty  Chains  to 
the  Corner  of  said  Farm  Number  thirteen  then  North  thirty 
Chains  to  Beekman's  line  then  East  twenty-four  Chains  Eighty 
Links  to  the  Beginning  containing  two  Hundred  and  forty  acres 
more  or  less  as  by  a  Map  and  return  Book  of  Jonathan  Hamp- 
ton may  appear  together  with  all  and  singular  the  woods  etc. 

"  Roger  Morris, 
"  Mart  Morris, 
"  John  Ogilvie, 
"  Margaret  Ogilvie, 
"  Bev.  Robinson, 
"  Susannah  Robinson. 
"  Nathal.   Marston, 
"  Adolph  Philipse." 

This  Grore,  like  the  other,  was  divided  after  the  Revolution, 
between  the  heirs  of  Philip  Philipse  and  the  State*  of  New 
York,  the  State  taking  the  confiscated  shares  of  Beverly  Rob- 
inson and  Roger  Morris.  The  farms  were  sold  to  various  parties. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE  OBLONG. 


THE  eastern  portion  of  Putnam  county  is  a  strip  of  land 
one  mile,  three  quarters  and  twenty  rods  wide.  This 
strip  is  a  portion  of  what  is  known  as  the  "Oblong"  or 
"Equivalent  Lands,"  the  history  of  which  is  exceedingly 
curious. 

At  the  time  of  the  early  settlement  of  the  colonies,  the 
geography  of  the  county  was  but  little  understood,  and  errone- 
ous descriptions  led  to  endless  controversies,  not  only  between 
individuals  but  between  townships  and  colonies  as  well.  The 
•boundary  between  the  Dutch  colony  of  New  Amsterdam  and 
the  English  colony  of  Connecticut  was  in  the  very  earliest  times 
a  fruitful  source  of  contention,  the  former  claiming  all  lands 
west  of  Connecticut  River,  while  the  latter  kept  pushing  their 
settlements  along  the  shore  of  the  Sound,  till  they  extended 
beyond  Byram  River.  'After  a  long  and  angry  dispute,  an 
agreement  was  concluded  at  Hartford  on  the  29th  of  September, 
1664.  By  this  it  was  resolved  that  the  boundaries  between  the 
Dutch  and  English  on  Long  Island  should  be  a  line  from  the 
western  part  of  Oyster  Bay  to  the  sea,  and  on  the  main  land 
the  bounds  were  to  begin  at  the  west  side  of  Greenwich  Bay 
and  run  in  a  northerly  direction,  twenty  miles  up  into  the 
country.  Ten  years  later  all  this  agreement  was  abrogated  by 
the  conquest  of  New  Netherland  and  the  establishment  of  the 
English  rule  in  the  province  of  New  York. 

The  controversy  as  to  boundaries  now  became  one  between 
New  York  and  Connecticut.  On  the  13th  of  October,  1664,  the 
General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  appointed  delegates  to  ac- 
company the  governor  to  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
gratulating the  duke's  commissioners  and  settling  the  bounda- 
ries between  the  colonies.     Accordingly,  on  the  28th  of  Octo- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  109 

ber,  1664,  an  agreement  was  made  by  which  the  boundaries  be- 
tween New  York  and  Connecticut  were  fixed  at  twenty  miles 
east  of  the  Hudson  River,  running  north  from  Long  Island 
Sound,  and  parallel  to  the  river.  This  was  signed  on  the  1st  of 
December,  and  the  line  established  was  to  begin  at  the  mouth 
of  Mamaroneck  Creek  on  the  Sound  and  extend  north-north- 
west to  the  line  of  Massachusetts,  this  being  supposed  to  be 
parallel  with  the  river,  and  was  so  stated  in  a  letter  from  Gov. 
Nicolls  to  the  Duke  of  York,  in  1665.  It  was  soon  found  that 
this  idea  was  grossly  erroneous,  for  the  line  would  cross  the 
Hudson  River  below  West  Point.  The  commotions  and  changes 
in  the  two  colonies  originated  in  the  reconquest  of  New  York 
by  the  Dutch  in  1669,  and  its  surrender  to  the  English  soon 
after  put  a  temporary  stop  to  the  agitation  and  no  official  nego- 
tiations took  place  till  after  1680.  In  the  mean  time  the  Con- 
necticut people  surveyed  the  line  which  as  they  said  struck  the 
Hudson  River  "below  the  new  mills  erected  by  Mr.  Frederick 
Philipse. ' '  These  mills  were  on  a  creek  above  the  present  village 
of  Tarrytown,  made  famous  by  Irving's  "Legend  of  Sleepy 
Hollow."  This  line  was  so  eminently  to  the  advantage  of  Con- 
necticut that  it  is  not  surprising  that  they  stoutly  claimed  it, 
notwithstanding  the  manifest  error,  and  the  controversy  soon 
began  to  assume  formidable  proportions. 

In  1683,  a  delegation  was  sent  to  Governor  Dongan,  to  treat 
with  him  for  a  settlement  of  the  boundaries,  but  they  were 
privately  instructed  to  insist  upon  the  line  running  north-north- 
west from  Mamaroneck  and  any  deviation  from  it  was  to  be 
ascribed  to  their  desire  "to  oblige  his  honor  and  to  promote 
a  perpetual  good  correspondence"  between  the  two  colonies. 
Governor  Dongan  and  the  New  York  Council  insisted  upon  the 
line  twenty  miles  east  from  the  Hudson  River  and  all  that  the 
representatives  of  Connecticut  could  obtain  was  permission  to 
retain  the  settlements  they  had  made  on  the  Sound,  in  exchange 
for  an  equal  tract  further  north.  This  agreement  was  made 
November  24th,  1683,  and  it  established  a  boundary  which  has 
ever  since  remained.  The  bounds  were  to  begin  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Byram  River  and  run  xip  it  to  the  head  of  tide  water. 
A  line  was  then  to  be  run  north-northwest,  eight  miles  from  the 
Sound;  from  this  point  another  line  was  to  be  run  12  miles, 
parallel  in  its  general  course  to  the  Sound;  from  the  end  of  this 
line  another  line  was  to  be  run  parallel  to  the  Hudson  River, 


110  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  everywhere  twenty  miles  from  it,  northerly  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts line,  and  on  the  east  side  of  this  line  a  tract  was  to  be 
laid  oif  equal  in  acres  to  the  amount  yielded  to  Connecticut  on 
the  shores  of  the  Sound.  This  tract  so  laid  off  was  called  the 
"Equivalent  Lands"  and  the  boundary  was  to  be  on  its  eastern- 
most side. 

This  agreement  was  approyed  by  Connecticut,  May  8th,  1684, 
and  a  surveyor  and  committee  were  appointed  to  lay  out  the 
line.  They  began  at  the  mouth  of  Byram  River,  and  measured 
up  it  to  the  head  of  tide  water  and  then  ran  a  line  north-north- 
west six  miles  and  a  half,  completing  eight  miles  from  the 
Sound.  They  then  ran  the  line  twelve  miles  east,  parallel  to  the 
Sound,  but  as  this  point  was  found  not  to  be  twenty  miles 
from  the  Hudson  River,  they  continued  it  a  mile  and  sixty-four 
rods,  and  there  the  point  was  fixed  at  the  place  of  beginning  of 
the  line  which  was  to  run  north  to  the  Massachusetts  line,  and 
parallel  to  the  river.  A  calculation  was  made  of  the  land  yielded 
to  Connecticut,  and  it  was  found  to  be  61,440  acres.  The  width 
of  the  ' '  Equivalent  Lands ' '  was  calculated  on  the  assumption 
that  the  line  was  100  miles  long.  As  this  line  was  disadvanta- 
geous to  Connecticut  every  possible  means  was  tried  to  prevent 
it  from  being  carried  into  effect  and  the  records  of  legislation 
and  oflScial  correspondence  from  1718  to  1725  bear  ample  testi- 
mony to  the  ingenuity  if  to  no  other  trait,  for  which  the  people 
of  Connecticut  have  always  been  famous.  The  lines  run  in  1684 
remained  for  thirty-three  years  before  any  steps  were  taken  to 
extend  them  and  complete  the  transfer  of  territory  from  Con- 
necticut to  New  York. 

In  1717,  the  government  of  New  York  took  steps  to  have  the 
line  determined,  and  made  an  effort  to  get  Connecticut  to  unite 
in  the  undertaking.  It  seems  that  at  the  end  of  the  twelve  mile 
line  parallel  to  the  Sound  there  was  a  tree  called  the  "  Duke's 
tree."  Connecticut  claimed  this  as  the  starting  point  of  the 
line  to  be  run  north,  while  New  York  refused  to  accept  this 
point  unless  it  was  determined  by  actual  measurement.  The 
report  made  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Council  of  New 
York  pretty  clearly  established  the  fact  that  the  claim  for  the 
"  Duke' s  tree  "  w  as  a  "  Yankee  trick, "  and  t  hat  the  true  bounds 
were  305  rods  beyond  the  place  where  the  tree  was  supposed  to 
stand.  Nothing  effectual  was  done  till  1724,  when  Connecticut 
appointed  commissioners  and  yielded  all  the  points  of  the  pre- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  Ill 

vious  contentions.  In  consideration  for  the  Connecticut  settlers 
near  the  line  at  Ridgefield,  it  was  determined  to  make  a  crook 
in  the  boundary  corresponding  to  the  one  in  the  Hudson  River 
at  Cortlandt's  Point  (now  known  as  Verplanck's  Point),  conse- 
quently a  line  was  measured  due  east  from  the  western  extrem- 
ity of  Cortlandt's  Point  twenty  miles,  and  to  make  the  crook 
as  great  as  possible  it  was  agreed  that  the  line  should  be  meas- 
ured without  any  allowance  for  errors  in  chaining.  A  calcula- 
tion was  then  to  be  made  of  the  width  of  the  tract  running  the 
whole  length  of  the  two  lines  which  extended  from  the  line 
parallel  with  the  Sound  to  the  Massachusetts  line.  This  tract 
was  to  be  conveyed  to  New  York  and  the  east  line  was  to  be 
the  boundary,  it  was  also  agreed  that  one  compass  should  be 
used  and  that  all  measurements  should  be  made  on  the  surface 
of  the  ground. 

One  of  the  objections  made  to  running  the  line  had  been  that 
certain  poor  families  who  had  settled  on  the  tract  might  be  in 
danger  of  losing  their  lands,  and  it  was  agreed  on  both  sides 
that  such  persons  should  receive  a  patent  for  the  lands  they 
had  improved.  They  began  the  survey  in  1725,  and  measured 
the  various  lines  from  the  mouth  of  Byram  River,  to  the  end 
of  the  twelve  mile  line  parallel  to  the  Sound,  marking  every 
point  with  the  utmost  care,  and  there  they  stopped,  leaving  the 
line  running  north  to  be  run  at  some  future  time.  The  tract  of 
more  than  60,000  acres  thus  to  be  acquired  by  New  York,  pre 
sented  an  opportunity  too  tempting  to  be  resisted  by  land 
speculators  of  the  last  century.  The  "certain  poor  families  " 
still  remained  in  the  same  state  of  uncertainty  as  to  whether 
they  were  to  be  in  New  York  or  Connecticut,  and  a  partnership 
was  formed  by  them  with  residents  of  New  York,  who  had  cap- 
ital, political  influence  and  official  position,  and  a  plan  was  de- 
vised for  ending  their  troubles.  On  the  3d  of  September,  1730, 
a  petition  was  presented  to  the  New  York  Council  by  Thomas 
Hauley  and  twenty-one  others,  setting  forth  that  they  were,  as 
they  supposed,  residents  upon  the  Equivalent  Tract,  where  they 
had  settled  believing  it  to  be  in  Connecticut,  and  that  to  de- 
prive them  of  their  lands  would  impoverish  them,  and  if  they 
could  have  50,000  acres  of  the  Equivalent  Lands,  they  would 
defray  the  charge  of  completing  the  boundary  line,  which  had 
been  suspended  for  want  of  funds. 

This  was  agreed  to  by  both  colonies  and  surveyors  and  com- 


112  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

missioners  were  appointed,  and  it  was  declared  that  when  the 
work  should  be  completed  by  the  erection  of  monuments,  the 
lines  so  designated  should  forever  be  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween New  York  and  Connecticut.  The  line  was  run  to  the 
Massachusetts  line,  in  the  spring  of  1731.  From  the  east  end  of 
the  line,  measured  twenty  miles  due  east  from  the  end  of  Ver- 
planck's  Point,  a  random  line  was  run  to  the  Massachusetts 
boundary.  This  was  a  little  more  than  50  miles  long,  and  the 
north  end  on  the  Massachusetts  line  was  found  by  measurement 
to  be  132  rods  too  far  west.  This  distance  being  measured 
off,  a  monument  was  erected  at  the  true  corner.  Tlie  straight 
line  between  this  monument  and  the  east  end  of  the  twenty 
mile  line  from  Verplanck's  Point  was  then  run  by  measuring 
perpendiculars  from  the  random  line  at  intervals  of  two  miles, 
and  the  extremities  of  these  offset  lines  were  marked  by  heaps 
of  stones.  When  the  proper  calculation  was  made  the  tract  of 
Equivalent  Land  was  found  to  be  one  mile,  three-quarters  and 
twenty  rods  wide.  This  tract  was  measured  by  running  lines 
east  from  the  heaps  of  stones  in  the  direct  line  just  measured, 
and  the  erection  of  heaps  of  stones  opposite  them,  which 
heaps  marked  the  boundary  line  between  New  York  and  Con- 
necticut. 

At  the  time  of  this  survey  there  were  but  two  or  three  roads 
crossing  the  line,  and  no  villages  near  it,  and  the  lands  were  en- 
tirely unsettled,  except  a  few  miles  from  the  south  end.  The 
natural  result  of  measuring  the  lines  on  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  which  varied  from  level  land  to  rough  and  precipitous 
mountains,  was  that  the  heaps  of  stones  which  marked  the 
boundary  between  the  two  States  of  New  York  and  Connecti- 
cut were  not  in  a  straight  line,  nevertheless  they  are  the  true 
boundary.  The  commissioners  held  a  meeting  at  Dover  after 
completing  the  survey,  and  there  executed  a  deed,  by  which  the 
Equivalent  Lands  were  conveyed  to  New  York  and  they  have 
ever  since  formed  a  part  of  her  territory.  A  patent  for  50,000 
acres  was  granted  to  Hauley  and  his  associates,  in  four  separate 
tracts  and  embracing  the  greater  part  of  the  whole.  The  sur- 
veyor general  was  next  directed  to  survey  these  lands  for  the 
purpose  of  division  among  the  owners.  This  was  done  about 
1732.  The  map  made  by  Cadwallader  Colden,  is  now  among 
the  Colden  papers  in  the  library  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society,  and  is  the  only  map  of  any  of  the  early  surveys  that 


GENERAL  HISTOKY.  113 

can  be  found.  The  land  was  divided  among  the  Hauley  pat- 
entees, who  sold  it  to  settlers  and  by  this  title  the  lands  are 
now  held. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  settlers  could  buy  these  lands,  they  were 
settled  at  an  early  day,  and  the  "Oblong"  was  the  original 
Southeast  Precinct  and  had  many  inhabitants.  The  Oblong  line 
is  still  well  defined  though  in  some  places  obliterated  by  the  re- 
moval of  fences  by  persons  who  own  land  on  both  sides  of  the 
line.  Its  location  at  various  points  is  given  in  the  sketches  of 
the  towns  of  Southeast  and  Patterson.  The  west  line  of  the 
Oblong  was  marked  by  heaps  of  stones  at  intervals  of  two  miles. 
The  following  is  the  description  of  these  points  as  taken  from 
the  report  of  the  commissioners.  The  first  two  monuments  at 
the  distance  of  two  miles  from  the  angle  are  in  Westchester 
county.  The  next,  or  the  sixth  mile  monument,  is  the  first  in 
Putnam  county. 

"At  the  distance  of  six  miles  in  the  said  line  we  set  up  a 
stake  and  heaped  some  stones  around  it  on  the  top  of  a  ridge 
for  a  monument  which  we  esteemed  to  be  about  thirty  rods 
East  of  a  cedar  swamp,  and  marked  some  trees  on  each  side 
of  said  monument  in  a  nearly  North  12  degrees  30  minutes 
Course'." 

"  At  the  distance  of  eight  miles  we  set  up  a  stake  and  heaped 
up  some  stones  round  it  for  a  monument,  being  between  two 
rocky  hills,  about  four  rods  from  the  eastermost  of  them  and 
marked  some  trees  on  each  side  of  said  monument\" 

"At  the  distance  of  ten  miles  we  set  up  a  stake  and  heaped 
ap  some  stones  round  it  for  a  monument  being  on  the  west  side 
of  a  ridge  of  land  and  66  chains  on  the  perpendicular  west  from 
Croton  River  and  marked  some  trees  on  each  side  of  said  monu- 
ment'." 

"  At  the  distance  of  twelve  miles  we  set  up  a  stake  and  heaped 
some  stones  round  it  as  a  monument  being  at  the  east  side  of  a 
hill  near  a  point  of  rocks  to  the  west  of  a  great  swamp  and 
boggy  meadow  in  said  swamp  in  Croton  River."  [This  twelve^ 
mile  monument  is  on  the  land  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Seeley,  about  40 

'  This  monument  is  opposite  the  cedar  swamp,  north  of  Peach  Pond.  The  line 
runs  through  this  lake. 

'  The  eight  mile  monument  is  on  the  land  of  Stephen  Barnum,  about  one-quar- 
ter mile  north  of  the  road  to  Milltown. 

=  The  ten  mUe  monument  is  about  30  rods  north  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Doansburg. 


114  HISTORY   OF   PPTNAM   COUNTY. 

rods  north  of  the  road  leading  from  Ms  honse  to  De  Forrest's 
corners.] 

"  At  the  distance  of  fourteen  miles  we  set  up  a  stake  and 
heaped  up  some  stones  round  it  for  a  monument  near  on  the 
top  of  a  mountain  being  on  the  east  side  of  the  aforesaid  Great 
Swamp  and  near  the  southwest  end  of  the  said  mountains'." 

"At  the  distance  of  sixteen  miles  we  set  up  a  stake  and 
heaped  up  some  stones  round  it  for  a  monument  being  on  the 
northwest  side  of  a  brushy  hill  and  marked  some  trees  on  each 
side  of  said  monument^" 

"  At  the  distance  of  eighteen  miles  we  set  up  a  stake  and 
heaped  up  some  stones  round  it  for  a  monument,  being  on  the 
north  side  of  a  small  run  of  water  and  in  a  low  piece  of  land 
and  marked  some  trees  on  each  side  of  said  monument."  [This 
eighteen  mile  monument  is  in  the  town  of  Pawlings,  on  the 
farm  of  Isaac  Aikin.  It  is  about  one-quarter  mile  north  of  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  Philipse  Patent.  This  monument  was 
two  chains  and  two  rods  north  from  the  northwest  corner 
of  the  Oblong  Lot  No.  23.  J 

Of  the  tract  granted  to  Thomas  Hauley  and  his  associates 
44,250  acres  were  released  to  Adam  Ireland,  John  Thomas  and 
Benjamin  Birdsall,  June  15th,  1731.  The  deed  is  recorded  in 
Dutchess  County  Records,  Liber  N.,  Page  302,  and  these 
parties  sold  Lots  23  and  16  to  Jacob  Haviland,  jr.,  June  16th, 
1731. 

The  original  line  between  New  York  and  Connecticut  was  es- 
tablished by  the  commissioners  who  run  the  Oblong  line,  by 
measuring  lines  perpendicular  from  the  Oblong  line,  from  each 
of  the  before  mentioned  monuments  which  were  two  miles  dis- 
tant from  each  other.  The  following  is  the  description  of  the 
monuments  which  were  placed  to  mark  the  Connecticut  line: 

"  The  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  six  miles 
distance  as  aforesaid  is  a  stake  with  a  heap  of  stones  round  it 
near  the  north  end  of  a  swamp  and  by  a  foot-path  leading  to 
Danbury'." 

"The  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  of  eight 

'  This  fourteen  mile  monument  is  on  the  top  of  the  mountains  north  of  the 
Methodist  chapel  at  "  Cowle's  Corners." 

'^The  16  mile  monument  is  nearly  east  from  "Aikin's  Corners"  and  near 
where  the  road  running  east  from  the  school  house  crosses  the  Oblong  line. 

*This  is  on  a  strip  of  dry  land  between  two  swamps,  the  old  foot-path  running 
on  this  ridge. 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  115 

miles  distance  as  aforesaid,  is  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones  round 
it  in  a  hollow  upon  a  high  rocky  hill'." 

"  The  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  ten 
miles  distance  as  aforesaid  is  a  stake  with  a  heap  of  stones 
round  it  in  a  springy  ground  on  the  west  side  of  a  high  hiir." 

"The  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  twelve 
miles  distance  as  aforesaid  was  set  up  at  the  end  of  two  miles 
on  a  line  running  nearly  north  12  degrees  30  minutes  east  from 
the  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  ten  miles  dis- 
tance, because  we  could  not  carry  the  perpendicular  across  the 
Great  Swamp,  that  was  overiiowed  by  Croton  river;  and  we 
marked  the  trees  in  the  said  two  miles  with  3  notches  on  the 
north  and  south  sides.  This  monument  is  a  heap  of  stones 
round  a  small  white  oak  tree°." 

"The  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  fourteen 
miles  distance  is  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones  standing  on  the 
northwest  side  of  a  hill*." 

"The  monument  corresponding  to  the  monument  at  six- 
teen miles  distance  is  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones  on  a  high  hill, 
there  being  two  small  ponds  to  the  south  east  eastward  of  the 
monument,  the  nearest  to  which  is  about  5  rods  to  the  monu- 
ment."    [This  monument  is  on  top  of  Cranberry  Mountain.] 

"The  monument  col-responding  to  the  monumefit  at  eighteen 
miles  distance  as  aforesaid  is  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones  on  a 
ledge  of  rocks  on  the  west  side  of  a  hill."  [This  monument 
was  found  in  1860.     It  is  north  of  the  county  line. J 

In  1855  commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut to  unite  with  commissioners  to  be  appointed  by  New 
York  to  ascertain  and  settle  the  boundary  line.  In  accordance 
with  a  joint  resolution  of  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  passed 
April  5th,  1856,  Gov.  Myron  H.  Clark  appointed  Hon.  Benjamin 
Field,  of  Orleans  county,  Hon.  Samuel  D.  Backus,  of  Kings, 
and  Col.  Jonathan  Tarbell,  of  Essex,  to  be  commissioners  on 
the  part  of  New  York. 

'This  is  on  the  top  of  Joe's  Hill  and  about  60  rods  south  of  the  road  from  Mill- 
town  to  Danbury. 

'This  monument  is  in  a  piece  of  meadow  lately  belonging  to  Seneca  Salmons, 
who  removed  the  stones.  The  hole  made  in  the  ground  by  the  heap  of  stones  was 
still  visible  in  1860,  when  the  line  was  re-surveyed. 

'The  commissioners  in  1860  could  find  no  trace  of  this  monument. 

"■This  monumeut  was  found  in  1860.  A  small  maple  tree  had  grown  up  through 
it  crowding  off  the  upper  stones  but  leaving  the  foundation  intact. 


116  HISTOKT   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  commissioners  of  both  States  met  but  no  agreement 
could  be  made  between  them.  Connecticut  insisted  on  a  straight 
line  from  the  corner  monument  on  the  Massachusetts  line  to  the 
angle  in  Westchester  county,  while  New  York  insisted  that  the 
line  should  run  through  the  ancient  monuments  erected  by  the 
former  commissioners  in  1731,  although  that  line  would  not  be 
straight,  as  they  were  not  authorized  to  make  a  new  line  but  to 
ascertain  and  perpetuate  the  old  one.  All  efforts  to  agree 
proving  fruitless,  the  commissioners  of  New  York  made  report 
to  the  Senate  in  1857,  giving  a  full  history  of  the  case.  By  an 
Act  of  Legislature,  passed  April  4th,  1860,  "The  commission- 
ers were  directed  and  empowered  to  survey  the  line  between  the 
States  and  to  mark  it  with  suitable  monuments  as  fixed  by 
the  survey  of  1731."  The  commissioners  were  to  give  one 
month's  notice  to  the  Connecticut  commissioners  and  if  they 
refused  or  neglected  to  attend,  they  were  to  run  the  line  with- 
out them.  They  accordingly  surveyed  the  line  (Connecticut 
commissioners  not  consenting)  and  made  report  to  the  New  York 
Senate,  in  1861.  The  old  monuments  were  found  and  identified 
and  monuments  of  sawed  marble  eight  inches  square  and  stand- 
ing out  of  ground  about  two  and  a  half  feet  were  placed  at  road 
crossings  and  other  suitable  places.  For  reasons  given  before  a 
line  connecting! the  ancient  monuments  would  not  be  straight. 
For  the  sake  of  the  curious,  the  course  of  the  line  as  then  run 
is  given  as  far  as  Putnam  county  is  concerned:'  From  6  mile 
monument  to  8  mile  monument,  N.  10°  19'  E.,  159  ch.,  28  L. 
From  8  mile  monument  to  10  mile  monument,  N.  12°,  24'  E., 
155  ch.,  71  L.  From  10  mile  monument  to  14  mile  monument, 
N.  10°,  51'  E.,  313  ch.,  41  L.  From.  14  mile  monument  to 
16  mile  monument,  N.  10°,  11'  E.,  161  ch.,  7  L.  From  16 
mile  monument  to  18  mile  monument,  N.  12°,  19'  E.,  157  ch., 
15  L. 

The  south  line  of  the  county  runs  about  half  a  mile  south 
of  the  six  mile  monument.  The  course  between  the  six 
mile  and  the  four  mile  monument  in  Westchester  is  south  12°, 
20'  W. 

In  1879,  by  an  Act  of  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
the  secretary  of   State,    the  attorney  general,  and   the   State 

^The  distance  in  the  new  survey  was  made  on  horizontal  distances  which 
accounts  for  differences. 


GENERAL  HISTOET.  117 

engineer  and  surveyor  were  appointed  commissioners  to  meet 
with  commissioners  appointed  by  the  State  of  Connecticut  to 
establish  the  boundary  between  the  States.  A  settlement  of 
the  long  vexed  question  was  finally  made,  and  the  line  as  run 
and  marked  by  the  New  York,  commissioners  in  1860  was 
agreed  upon  as  the  boundary  line  between  the  two  States. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


SETTLEMENT  AND  POPULATION. 

AT  the  time  when  Dutchess  county  was  established,  in  1683, 
the  whole  region  was  almost  without  inhabitants.  The 
historian.  Smith,  writing  about  1750,  says,  "  The  inhabitants  on 
the  banks  of  the  river  are  Dutch  but  those  more  easterly  are 
Englishmen  who  have  for  the  most  part  emigrated  from  Con- 
necticut and  Long  Island.  The  growth  of  the  county  has  been 
very  sudden,  and  commenced  but  a  few  years  ago.  Within 
the  memory  of  people  now  living  it  did  not  contain  above 
twelve  families."  The  following  copy  of  a  letter  which  was 
formerly  in  possession  of  T.  Van  Wyck  BrinkerhoflE  of  East 
Fishkill,  may  throw  some  light  on  the  early  settlement  of 
Dutchess  county. 

"In  the  year  1723,  I  saw  Isaac  Upton  a  coaster  from  New 
Port  who  informed  me  that  about  1760  he  came  up  the  North 
river  to  Poughkeepsie,  and  in  company  with  another  person 
went  to  Mabbitt's  store  in  Washington  on  business.  That  on 
their  return  they  took  a  circuitous  route  from  Pleasant  Valley 
and  passed  the  house  of  a  German  by  the  name  of  Hoffman 
who  was  then  118  years  old.  He  supposed  himself  to  be  the 
first  settler  in  Dutchess  county.  When  young  he  deserted  from 
a  Dutch  ship  of  war  in  New  York,  squatted  where  he  then 
lived,  built  him  a  shanty  and  lived  a  number  of  years  a  solitary 
life  without  being  able  to  find  a  white  woman  for  a  wife.  After- 
ward he  found  a  German  familj''  at  Rhinebeck;  married  and  lived 
where  he  then  was  to  that  advanced  age.  I  was  informed  that 
he  died  two  years  afterward  at  the  age  of  120. 

"Paul  Upton." 

In  1723,  the  whole  population  of  Dutchess  county  was  re- 
ported to  be  1,083.  What  is  now  Putnam  county  was  included 
in  the  "South  Ward,"  and  the  following  list  gives  the  names 
of  the  taxable  inhabitants  in  that  district,  at  that  time. 


GENEEAL  HISTORY.  119 

"The  Inhabitants,  Residents,  and  Freeholders  of  Dutchess 
County  (South  Ward)  are  rated  and  assessed  by  ye  assessors 
for  the  same  the  16th  day  of  Jan.  Annoqiie  Dom.  1623-4:  Juerie 
Springsteen,  9  pounds;  Joseph  Arkils,  6;  Isaac  Hardicke,  14; 
Peter  Du  Bois,  25;  Robert  Denze,  7;  Johannes  Peter,  5;  Johan- 
nes Mettler,  10;  James  Hussey,  25;  The  widow  of  Gerrit  Vel- 
dit,  25;  John  Buys,  8;  John  Montross,  14;  Abraham  Buys,  9; 
Johannes  Buys,  9;  Jacobus  Swartwout,  12;  Francis  De  Lange, 
23;  Daniel  Boss,  15;  Jacob  Mousuer,  6;  John  Schouten,  12; 
Peter  Lassink,  20;  Lawrence  Lassink,  8;  Jury  Mousuer,  5; 
Alexander  Grigs,  12;  Johannes  Osterom,  5;  Henderick  Boss,  5; 
Rich.  Lounsbury,  5;  Peter  Arkils,  10;  Peter  Stringal,  5;  The 
widow  of  Roger  Brett,  deceased,  50;  Nicholas  Walder,  7;  Hen- 
drick  Philipse,  8;  The  widow  of  Everet  Jong,  5;  Johannes  Ter 
Boss,  32;  and  for  the  land  of  Mr.  Andrew  Teller  in  his  posses- 
sion, 18,  in  all  50;  Johannes  Ter  Boss,  Jr.,  12;  John  De  Lange, 
5;  Andrus  Frederick  Peck,  9;  Jans  Snider,  110;  The  widow  of 
Simon  Schouten,  16;  Wm.  Lassink,  11;  David  Brill,  5;  Isaack 
Lassing,  8;  Wm.  Schut,  8;  Jacobus  Ter  Boss,  5;  Cornelius  Bo- 
gardus,  5;  Jan  Crankhyt,  Jr.,  6;  Tax  £27, 3s;  £543." 

The  list  is  small,  but  small  as  it  is  none  of  the  persons  named 
are  positively  known  to  have  been  living  on  the  Philipse  Patent. 
In  the  statement  of  David  Mmham,  the  Indian  sachem,  pre- 
sented to  the  governor  and  Council,  in  1765,  it  is  stated  that 
about  40  years  before,  sundry  persons  began  to  settle  upon  the 
land  as  tenants  of  Adolph  Philipse,  and  it  also  seems  that  some 
whites  were  settlers  on  the  land  as  tenants  of  the  Indians  them- 
selves. It  seems  to  be  well  established  that  as  early  as  1740 
there  was  quite  a  number  of  inhabitants.  The  fact  that  when 
the  survey  and  division  of  the  patent  was  made  in  1754,  an 
'■  Old  meeting  house  "  standing  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Lot 
9  is  mentioned  as  a  landmark,  would  indicate  a  population  suf- 
ficiently large  to  establish  a  church  at  least  twenty  years  be- 
fore that  date.  These  were  the  "Englishmen  who  came  from 
Connecticut  and  Long  Island,"  as  mentioned  by  Smith.  About 
1740,  there  was  a  large  number  of  families  who  emigrated  to 
this  region  from  Cape  Cod.  Others  came  from  the  bordering 
towns  in  Connecticut,  while  the  Townsends,  Holmes,  Fields 
and  Hortons  are  prominent  examples  of  the  families  who  came 
from  Long  Island. 

The  lands  in  the' tract  called  the  Oblong,  next  to  the  Connec- 


120  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

ticut  line,  were  speedily  settled,  it  is  said,  because  lands  could 
be  purchased,  witli  an  indisputable  title.  It  was  not  thfe  policy 
of  the  owners  of  the  Fhilipse  Patent  to  sell  their  lands,  and  so 
far  as  ascertained  a  tract  of  245  acres  sold  by  Colonel  Morris 
and  his  wife  to  William  Hill,  in  1765,  was  the  first  tract  that 
was  actually  sold  out  of  the  whole  patent.  The  various  lots 
were  surveyed  and  divided  into  farms  of  various  sizes,  and 
leased  to  tenants  who  paid  an  annual  rent.  In  some  cases  the 
leases  were  given  in  perpetuity,  and  when  the  owner  sold  por- 
tions of  his  farm,  he  took  care  to  charge  the  part  sold  with  a 
due  proportion  of  the  rent  as  a  part  of  the  consideration.  An 
instance  is  the  Dickenson  farm,  which  is  mentioned  in  the 
sketch  of  the  town  of  Carmel.  The  following  affidavit  shows 
the  names  of  some  of  the  early  settlers: 

"affidavit   of  TIMOTHY   SHAVT,  1767. 

"  Sworn  says  that  he  formerly  was  a  tenant  under  Adolph 
Philipse  deceased  within  the  Patent  commonly  called  the  Upper 
Patent,  being  the  land  now  claimed  by  Beverly  Robinson,  Roger 
Morris  and  Philip  Philipse,  and  that  he  is  very  well  acquainted 
with  all  the  settlements  that  have  been  made  in  the  said  Upper 
Patent,  within  the  last  twenty-five  years.  That  when  he  first 
became  acquainted  with  the  said  Upper  Patent  the  following  per- 
sons were  settled  thereon  and  held  as  he  understood  from  them 
as  tenants  under  Adolph  Philipse,  to  wit  Philip  Minthorne, 
Elisha  Tompkins,  John  Tompkins,  Wm.  Hunt,  Daniel  Town- 
tsend,  John  Dickenson,  James  Dickenson,  John  Sprague,  Wm. 
Sturdevant,  Ira  Hill,  Moses  Northrup  Sen.,  Thomas  Philipse, 
Oeorge  Hughson,  James  McCrady,  Samuel  Fields,  Amos  Dick- 
inson, Hezekiah  Wright,  Jeremiah  Calkins,  John  Calkins, 
Joseph  Porter,  Ichabod  Vickery,  Ebenezer  King,  Samuel  Jones, 
James  Paddock,  Peter  Paddock,  David  Paddock,  John  Eagles- 
ton,  two  brothers  of  the  name  of  Bircham,  John  Kiel,  Wm. 
Bardsley,  Thomas  Kirkam,  Nathaniel  Robinson,  one  Cole,  Wm. 
Smith,  John  Smith,  Nathaniel  Underhill,  Edward  Stevens,  one 
Barton,  John  Reynolds,  and  a  great  many  other  persons,  and 
this  deponent  really  believes  that  there  were  upward  of  three 
hundred  settlers  on  said  Patent  (as  tenants  of  the  Philipse 
family)  upward  of  three  miles  from  Hudson  river,  before  the 
year  1756.  That  either  two  or  three  years  ago,  in  the  winter 
season  the  said  Philip  Philipse  was  at  the  house  of  Uriah  Law- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  ,121 

rence  one  of  the  tenants,  where  Daniel  Nimham,  the  Indian 
together  with  at  least  300  persons  chiefly  tenants  of  said, 
Philipse  were  assembled,  and  that  the  said  Fhilipse  then  and 
there  in  his  hearing  and  in  the  hearing  of  as  many  as  could  con- 
veniently crowd  near  enough  to  hear  what  passed,  asked  the  said 
Nimham  where  the  lands  were  which  he  claimed,  whereupon 
the  said  Nimham  said  that  he  had  no  lands.  Upon  which  the 
said  Philip  Philipse  asked  the  said  Nimham,  why  he  made  such 
a  Rout  among  the  tenants,  to  which  he  answered,  that  he  was 
told  to  do  so  by  Stephen  Cowenham  and  One  Pound  pocktwo 
and  other  Indians.  That  the  said  Nimham  never  to  his  knowl- 
edge lived  within  the  bounds  of  the  said  Patent',  and  that  all 
the  Indians  who  formerly  lived  in  the  Patent  had  abandoned  it 
,long  before  the  year  1756,  and  settled  as  this  deponent  as  been 
informed  beyond  Minnisink,  near  Delaware. 

his 
TiMOTHT  X  Shaw. 
^'  Done  this  6th   day  of  March  )  Mark. 

1767  before  me  f 

"  Daniel  Horsmanden." 

TAX   LIST   op   PHILIP    PHILIPSE   PATENT,    1777. 

"  List  of  the  taxable  inhabitants  of  Philipse  Patent  in  the 
year  1777.  South  East  Precinct,  (Oblong):  Joseph  Crane,  4; 
Joseph  Field,  4;  Benjamin  Townsend,  4;  Isaac  Crosby,  3;  Simeon 
Rider,  4;  Nathaniel  Foster,  3;  Nathan  Green,  1;  Tho.  Foster, 
'6;  Tho.  Gage,  2;  James  Birdsall,  8;  Matthew  Burgis,  4;  Matthew 
Benedict,  2;  Elihu  Gage,  3;  Samuel  Benedict,  1;  Steph.  Rock- 
well, 1;  John  June,  1;  Ebenezer  Gage,  2;  Tho.  Baldwin,  5; 
Nathan  Birdsall,  4;  Zebulon  Briggs,  2;  Roger  Haviland,  3;  Jesse 
Lane,  3;  Benj.  Sears,  4;  Shaw  Youngs,  2;  Tho.  Burgis,  1;  Wm. 
Stone,  2;  Daniel  Haviland,  6;  Martin  Hall,  3;  Benj.  Hopkins, 
2;  Wm.  Penney,  3;  Tho.  Sears,  3;  Asa  Barnum,  3;  Roderick 
McKinsy,  1;  Mark  Gage,  1;  David  Penney,  1;  Ebenezer  Hum- 
stead,  2;  John  Purdy,  1;  Joseph  Arnold,  1;  John  Hopkins,  1; 
Wm.  March,  1;  Joseph  Fields,  2;  Wm.  Young,  1;  Edward  Rice,  1; 
Elihu  Youngs,  1;  Wm.  Mott,  5;  Ri.  Honeywell,  1;  John  Star, 
1;   Jacob  Millard,  1;    Samuel  Spencer,  1;   Solomon  Haviland,  1; 

'  In  a  survey  of  the  north  line  of  the  Highlands  made  by  John  Alsop  about 
1765,  Nimham's  wigwam  is  representpd  as  north  of  the  mountains,  in  the  town  of 
Fishkill. 


122  HISTORY   or  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Gilbert  Steadwell,  4;  Reuben  Ryder,  1;  The.  Clements,  1;  Elias 
Jones,   1;  Solomon  Crane,  1;   Nathaniel  Foster,  Jr.,  2;  Elijah 

Doty,  3;  Elnathan  March,  2;  Rowland  Russell,  1;  Nick- 

ersou,— ;  Peter  Field,  2;  Tho.  Sen  tier,  1;  Joseph  Stud  well's 
Farm,  2;  Joseph  Burtis,  1;  Zach.  Hinman  on  Hoag's  farm,  1; 
Silas  Burtis,  1;  Ichabod  Humstead,  1;  Zebulon  Crane,  1;  Sam- 
uel Field,  4;  Uriah  Townsend,  1;  Robert  Townsend,  4;  Benj. 
Sears,  4;  Samuel  Bangs,  6:  Samuel  Elwell,  2;  Seth  Nickerson, 
6;  Peter  Hall,  4:  John  Field,  7;  Noah  Smith,  2;  Joshua  Bea- 
man,  3;  Isaac  Elwell,  3;  Anthony  Gage,  1;  Jabez  Elwell,  2;  Ebe- 
nezer  Benedict,  1;  Benj.  Haviland,  6;  Joshua  Barnum,  Jr.,  1; 
Moss  Kent,  2;  John  Corly,  1;  Seth  Sears,  2;  Samuel  Hall,  3; 
Nathan  Green,  Jr.,  3,  John  Haviland,  1;  Tho.  Higgins,  2;  Ebe- 
nezer  Ryder,  2;  Seth  Nickerson,  2;  Benj.  Higgins,  2;  Joseph 
Hall,  7;  Charles  Cullen,  4;  Jonathan  Green,  1;  John  Purdy,  1; 
Tho.  Comstock,  4;  Nathaniel  Humstead,  1;  Wm.  Clinton,  1; 
Steph.  Morehouse,  1;  John  Foster,  1;  Tho.  Birdsall,  3;  John 
Elwell,  1;  Wm.  Penney  4;  Seth  Sears,  2;  James  Haviland,  1; 
Jonathan  Corly,  1;  Jeremiah  Burgis,  1;  Moses  Gage,  1;  Geo. 
Bentinck,  1;  Ichabod  Goremans,  1;  James  Stedwell,  1;  Isaac 
Haviland,  2;  Caleb  Spencer,  1:  Barns  Hatfield,  4;  Wm.  Field, 
4;  Zadoc  Ryder,  1;  John  Wheeler  Foster,  1;  Silvanus  Gage,  1; 
Mary  Ryder,  1;  John  Crosby,  2;  Eliakim  Barnum,  1;  Benaijah 
Tubbs,  1;  Elias Benjamen,  2;  Jonathan  Paddock's  farm,  1;  Daniel 
Gage,  1;  Eleagar  Burlison,  1;  Daniel  Griffin,  1;  Daniel  Burtis, 
1;  Tho.  Haviland,  2;  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kent's  farm,  Conon,  1, 
Knott,  1;  English,  1. 

"Fredericksburg  Precinct:  Elijah  Tompkins,  2;  David  Pad- 
dock, 2;  James  Dickenson,  estate,  3;  Daniel  Townsend,  1;  John 
Newbury,  6;  Josiah  Baker,  4;  David  Crosby,  3;  Joshua  Crosby, 
3;  Theophilus  Jones,  1;  Tho.  Kelley,  1;  James  Covan,  1;  Jona- 
than Kelley,  2;  Silas  Paddock,  2;  Charles  Townsend,  2;  Robert 
Townsend,  1:  Tho.  Paddock,  3;  Peter  Angevine's  estate,  4; 
Jonathan  Paddock,  4;  Jonathan  Paddock's  widow,  1;  Isaac 
Pearce,  2;  John  Yeoman's  estate,  3;  Jonathan  Bryant,  2; 
Michael  Shaw,  Jr.,  1;  David  Aikins,  4;  Heman  King,  8;  Reuben 
Kelly,  2;  Ebenezer  Robinson,  3;  John  Rhoads,  1;  Jacob  Phil- 
ipse,  Jr.,  1;  Nathan  Crosby,  4;  Hezekiah  Mead,  1;  Tho.  Fow- 
ler, 2;  Daniel  Brundage,  5;  Jeremiah  Whitney,  2;  Ebenezer 
Bro\Vn,  1;  Reuben  Crosby,  2;  Peter  Bunker,  1;  Joseph  North- 
rop, 2;  Hezekiah  Mead,  2;  Robert  Hughson,  3;  James  Covey, 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  123 

2;  Peter  Maybee,  3;  Joseph.  Ganung,  2;  Ebenezer  Jone's  widow, 
2;   Cornelius  Fuller,   2;  John  Dickenson,   7;   Wm.   Palmer,  2; 
Robert  Mooney,  1;  Tho.  Smith,  4;  Wm.  Penney,  3;  Isaac  Chap- 
man, 1;  Edmund  Batner,  2;  Moody  Howse,  4;  Elisha  Cole,  5; 
Simeon  Ellis,  2;    Samuel  Peters,   6;    Benjamin  Townsend,    2; 
Robert  Shaw,   2;    Peter  Badeau,   3;   Jabez  Berry,   2;   Michael 
Slott,  3;  Wm.  Hill,  10;  John  Minch,  3;  Peleg  Weekson  (Wixon), 
1;  John  Jean,  2;  Jeremiah  Hughson,  3;  Widow  Hill,   1;  Jona- 
than Hopkins,  2;  Caleb  Fowler,  8;  Abraham  Maybee,  Jr.,  2; 
Daniel  Bull,  4;  Ebenezer  Bennett,  1;  John  Garrison,  1;  Edward 
Rice,  4;  Josiah  Swift,  2;  Solomon  Jenkins,  4;  Solomon  Field, 
4;  Nehemiah  Jones,   4;    David  Crosby,  Jr.,   4;  Moss  Kent,  7; 
Joseph  Vickney,  1;  Barzillai  King,  2;  Isaac  Lounsbury,  7;  Wm. 
Merritt,  3;  John  Lounsbury,  4;  Andrew  Rubly,  1;  Jacob  Ellis, 
2;  Moses  Fowler,  9;  Ebenezer  Lock  wood,  2;  David  Hawkins,  1; 
Gilbert  Dickenson,  estate,  4;  Tho.  Adams,  1;  Capt.  Brown,  2; 
Joseph  Colwell,   3;    Solomon  Hopkins,  5;    Wm.   Underbill,  2; 
Caleb  Palmer,  1;  Henrj'^  Wooden,  3;  Elisha  Cool,  Jr.,  2;  Charles 
Anwah,  3;  Moses  Mead,  1;  James  Baldwin,  1;  Richard  Airs,  1; 
James  Carl,  2;  Timothy  Hatch,  2;  Zebulon  Bass's  widow,   1; 
Isaac  Secor,  2;  John  Bates,  1;  Seth  Paddock,  4;  Elijah  Week- 
son   (Wixon),   1;  Christopher  Townsend,    1;  Isaac   Barritt,    1 
Benoni  Gray,  1;  Tho.  Baxter's  estate,  1;  Andrew  Beardsley,  1 
Tho.  Menzies,  13;    Roswell  Wilcox,   4;    Michael  Nowland,  1 
James  Calkins,  1;  Benjamin  Birdsall,  3;   Joseph  Hawkins,  2 
Johnson  Dakin,  1;  Elijah  Fuller,  2;  Jacob  Maybee,  estate,  1 
John  Kelley,  2;  Nathan  Cool,  2;  Charity  Austin,  Moses  Knap, 
3;  JohnTerril,  5;  Daniel  Peane,  2;  Joshua  Burdock,  1;  Jedediah 
Willis,  2;  Caleb  Vail,  2;  David  Cowen,  2;  Robert  Wright,  2; 
Daniel  Knap,  3;  Lemuel  Wilmott,  estate,  2;  John  Dean,  1;  John 
Dan,  1;  Phineas  Baker,  1;  Matthew  Patterson,  3;  John  McLean, 
2;  Hackaliah  Merritt,   3;  Wm.  Braidy,  4;  Nathan  Disbrow,  1; 
John  Carpenter,  4;  Richard  Williams,  1;  John  Wilson,  1;  Da- 
vid Merrick,  2;  John  Yeomans,  1;  John  Thomas  Craft,  1;  Samuel 
Rhoa.ds,   4;    Samuel  Dickenson,   4;  Timothy   Delavan,  2;  Tho. 
Furguson,   1;   Isaac  Merritt,   1;  Reuben  Chase,  1;    Theodorus 
Crosby,   3;  Malcom  Morrison,  12;   Wm.   Yeomans,  2;  Samuel 
Washburn,     6;     James    Barret,     1;     Jonathan    Stockman,    1; 
Jeremiah    Burgis,    3  ;     Isaac    Rushny,    1;     Samuel    Carl,     2 ; 
Abner    Crosby,    2;     Abner    Crosby,    Jr.,    2;     John    Birdsall, 
estate,   2;    Alexander  Menzie's  estate,    4;    Stephen    Field,    7; 


124  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Nehemiah  Wood,  2y  John  Tompkins,  1;    James  Townsend, 
1;    James  Forster,   2;    John  Studwell,    4;     Robert   Watts,   4 
Henry  Luddington,  4;  David  Heacock,  2;   Joshua  Conklin,  2 
Matthew  Lane's  farm,  1;  Joseph  Philipse,  3;  Isaac   Austin,  1 
Samuel  Horton,  1;  Zachariah  Paddock,  2;  Timothy  Shaw,  2 
Nathaniel  Dickerson's  widow,  1;  Joseph  Cool,  2;   Samuel  Knif- 
fen,  2;  Lazarus  Griffin,  Jr.,  1;  Uriah  Raymond,  2;  George  Pen- 
ney, 1;  Israel  Wood,  estate,  4;  Daniel  Seelass,  2;  John  Town- 
send,    2;    Richard    Truesdill,    2;      Dennis    Wright.    4;    Asa 
Hains,     2;    Caleb    Dean,    1;  Tho.    Carl,    estate,    3;     Comfort 
Luddington,   2;    Daniel   Wilson,    3;    Wm.    Colwell,    3;    John 
Piatt,  2;  Oliver  Mead,    1;  Tho.  Lynch,  2;  John  Crane,  3;  John 
Wright,  near   J.  Griffin,    3;    Daniel    Robert,  3;    Tho.  Peters, 
estate,  2;  Daniel  Ketchum,   3;  John  Sinclair,  2;  Tho.  Kirkham, 
2;  Wm.   Calkins,  2;   Samuel  Terry,   2;   John  Terry,  1  ;  David 
Fuller,  1;  Tho.  Hall,  3;  David  Frost,  2;  Wm.  Mead,  1;  Charles 
Surine,  2;  John  Clark,  2;  Levi  Townsend,  1;  Henry  Laight,  1; 
Silvanus  Kelly,  1;  Zebedee  Kelly,  1;  Joshua  Philips,  2;  James 
Eggleston,   1;  Joseph  Dykeman,  2;  David  Vickney,  1;  Jehiel 
Stei)hens,  1;  Tertullus  Dickenson,  13;  Charles  Agor,  1;  Samuel 
Jones,    2;     Tho.    Nickerson,     1;    Matthew    Bump,    1;    Gilbert 
Gannung,    estate,    1;   Alexander    Kidd,    3;    Charles   Theal,    3; 
Abraham  Moo  (?),  1;  Lemuel  Fuller,  2;  Wm.  Jones,  1;  Edward 
Arnold,  1;  Jeremiah  Bailey,  1;  Jacob  Gannung,  1;  James  Cox, 
9;  Josiah  Gregory,  1;  Samuel  Jenkins,  1;  Josiah  Aikin's  farm, 
1;    Duncan    McGregory,    1;    Ebenezer  Washburn,   1;    Robert 
Puller,    2;    Solomon  Byington,    1;    Stephen   Baker,    2;    Isaac 
Everitt,  2;    Samuel  Bang's  farm,  1;  James  Birdsall,  2;  David 
Wells,  1;  Mahar  Nelson,  2;  Comfort  Chad  wick,  1;  David  Hill, 
1;  Silas  Austin,  1;  Nathaniel  Rubly,   1;  Seth  Paddock,   Jr.,  2; 
Nathan  Palmer,  1;  David  Fowler,  3;  Joseph  Sunderland,  estate, 
1;  Peter  Win,  1;  Isaac  Bates,  1;  Moses  Knap,   Jr.,  estate,  2; 
Wm.  Wooden,  2;  Nathan  Paddock,  1;  John  Maybee,  2;  David 
Waterbury,   2;   Ezekiel  Dean,  2;    Josiah  Baker,  Jr.,  2;  John 
Fuller,   1;  Isaiah  Hopkins,  1;  John  Smith,  1;  Charles  Arvah, 
Jr.,  2;  Zebulon  Kirkham,  2;  Jacob  Kniflen,  4;  Shubell  Week- 
son,  1;  John  Barrett,  1;  Jonathan  Parrish,  2;  David  Kelly,  1; 
John   White,    1;   Peleg  Bailey,    1;    Obadiah   Chase,    2;    Tho. 
Hinkley,  1;  John  Warring,  4;  Roger  Morris,  estate,  12;  Absalom 
Yeomans,  1;  John  Smith,  1;  Josiah  Jones,  2;  Peter  Brewer,  1; 
John  Dan,  Jr.,  1;  David  King,  1;  John  Secor,  2;-  Simeon  Tryon, 


gejs^eral  histort.  125 

1;  John  Frost,  2;  Nathaniel  Sinclair,  3;  Nathaniel  Finch,  1; 
Frederick  Pickney,  1;  Jeremiah  Mead,  1;  Samuel  Haines,  1; 
Samuel  Bruyster,  1;  John  Haines,  2;  John  Gannung,  1;  Oliver 
Bates,  1;  Caleb  Hazen,  2;  Elijah  Townsend,  1;  Joseph  Chandler, 
1;  Ephraim  Nickerson,  1;  Isaac  Everitt,  Jr.,  1;  George  Everitt, 
1;  John  Field's  farm,  2;  John  Tweedy' s  farm,  2;  Gilbert 
Hyatt,  1;  John  Williams'  estate,  2;  Elijah  Oakley,  2;  Increase 
Bennett,  1;  David  Smith,  2;  Isaac  Birdsall,  1;  Wm.  Palmer,  Jr., 
1;  Eli  Crosby.  2;  Wm.  Lovelace,  1;  Zebnlon  Washburn,  2; 
Abraham  Birdsall,  1;  Peter  Anderson,  4;  Joseph  Gregory,  2; 
Lewis  Ferguson,  1;  Wm.  Griffin,  1;  Gilbert  Merritt,  1;  Edward 
Penney,  2;  Nehemiah  Smith,  2;  John  Philipse.  2;  Samuel 
Gregory,  1;  Reuben  Hinkley,  1;  David  Garrison,  1;  Daniel 
Cool,  2;  Samuel  Jones,  Jr.,  1;  Amos  Burlison,  1;  Eleazer  Hamb 
lin,  2;  Elnathan  Doane,  1;  James  Bryer,  1;  Abraham  Hill,  2; 
Wm.  Springer,  estate,  1;  Samuel  Hitchcock,  estate,  1;  Jonathan 
Burtis,  1;  Joshua  Calkins,  1;  John  Raymond,  1;  Peter  Roberts, 
1;  Reuben  Ferris,  5;  Cornbury  Merritt,  1;  Stephen  Umsted,  1; 
Joseph  Fid,  4;  Elisha  Giflford,  1;  John  Green,  1;  Isaac  Smith's 
estate,  2;  Stephen  Paddock,  1;  Nathan  Sturdevant,  1;  Jacob 
Disbury,  1;  Allen  Cameron,  estate,  2;  Dr.  Samuel  and  Richard 
Bryant,  2;  John  Stuart,  1;  Joseph  White,  1;  John  Lester,  1; 
Solomon  Crosby,  3;  John  Kent,  6;  Moses  Buckley,  2;  James 
Dickenson,  Jr.,  3;  Freeman  Hopkins,  2;  Elisha  Smith,  1;  Henry 
Baldwin,  1;  Joel  Mead,  3;  Gilbert  Drew,  2;  Richard  Price,  2; 
Samuel  Couklin,  1;  Caleb  Peers,  1;  Nathaniel  Bailey,  1;  Elijah 
Hunt,  1;  Wm.  Hitchcock,  1;  Anthony  Hill,  1;  Joseph  Matthews, 
1;  Jacob  Birdsall,  1;  James  Surine,  1;  Justus  Barrett,  1;  Richard 
Barker,  1;  Jedediah  Davis,  estate,  1;  Nathan  Teed,  1;  Moses 
Wint;er,  2;  Joshua  Merrick,  2;  Samuel  Towner,  5;  Josiah 
Crosby,  1;  Moses  Richards,  3;  Ezra  Smith,  2;  Husted  on 
Hunt's  farm,  3;  John  Slott's  estate,  2;  Uriah  Wright's  estate, 
2;  John  Lamorieau,  2;  John  Berry,  l;-Job  Burlison,  1;  Solomon 
Lockwood,  2;  Eleazar  Baker,  2;  Daniel  Doane,  1;  John  Bea 
(Beyea),  2;  Amos  Fuller,  2;  Isaac  Gannung,  2;  Joshua  Main,  2; 
Jeremiah  Burtis,  2;  Isaac  Townsend,  1;  Jacob  Mead,  3;  Con- 
stant Nickerson' s  estate,  1;  John  Robinson,  near  Robinson's 
store,  1;  James  Darby,  1;  Wm.  Peters  estate,  2;  Wm.  Birdsall, 
1;  Moody  Howes,  Jr.,  1;  James  Green,  2;  Nathaniel  Paddock, 
1;  John  Holliday,  1;  John  McLean  on  Capt.  McDonald's  farm, 
2;  Mr.  David  Cloos,   2;   John  Henderson,   1;    John   Chase,    1; 


126  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Thadeus  Warring,  1;  Peter  Hatfield,  4;  Jacob  Reede,  2;  Henry 
Lockwood,  1;  Benjamin  Cheeseman,  2;  Wm.  Craft's  estate, 
1;  Elisha  Baldwin,  2;  Marcus  Brundage,  1;  Joseph  Hop- 
kins, 1;  Tho.  Russell,  1;  Jolm  Vermilya,  2;  Solomon 
Kirkham,  1;  Elisha  Harris,  1;  Henry  Lewis,  2;  Joseph 
Hitchcock  at  the  store,  1;  "Wm.  Hudden,  1;  Samuel 
Gifl'ord,  1;  James  Crawford,  1;  Major  Simpkins,  1;  John 
Barrit,  Jr.,  1;  Daniel  Gregory,  2;  Solomon  Wood,  1;  Ben- 
jamin Dean,  1;  James  Haight,  1;  Henry  Craft's  estate,  1; 
Henry  Charlock,  1;  Thomas  Horton,  1;  Joseph  Moss,  1;  Wm. 
Carl,  2;  John  Price,  1;  Zebulon  Townsend,  1;  Ammiel  Penny, 
2;  Jabish  Chase,  1;  Oliver  Pox,  1;  John  Crap,  1;  Samuel  Peer's 
estate,  2;' Abraham  Covert,  2;  Richard  Chapman,  2;  Conrad 
Harps,  estate,  1;  Wm.  Hughson,  1;  James  Barrit,  Jr.,  1; 
Ezekiel  Bugbee,  2;  Wm.  Barrit,  1;  Doctor  Hamilton,  1;  John 
Merrit,  2;  Zebulon  Wright,  1;  Peter  Arvah,  1;  Wm.  Yermilyer, 
1;  Stephen  Hyatt,  1;  John  Munrow,  1;  Isaac  Chase,  1;  Shubael 
Dimmock,  1;  John  Utter,  1;  James  Wilson,  5;  David  North,  2; 
Eli  Woods,  2;  Benjamin  Golden,  estate,  3;  Wm.  Snow,  1;  Sil- 
vanus  Travis,  1;  Tho.  Swain,  1;  Joel  Borland,  1;  Northrop 
Fuller,  1;  Eliston  on  Zophar  Ketcham' s  farm,  1;  Isaiah  Bennet, 
1;  Jabez  Smith,  1;  Isaac  Purdoe,  1;  Caleb  Brundage,  1;  Eleazar 
Hazen,  2;  Daniel  Brundage,  Jr.,  1;  Tho.  Gregory,  1;  Samuel 
Wilson,  1;  Isaac  Fuller,  1;  Wm.  Lawrence,  2;  Mary  Haines, 
widow,  1;  Noah  Hill,  1;  Robert  Craig' s  estate,  1;  Amos  Towns- 
end,  1;  Elnathan  Gregory,  1;  Israel  Knap,  2;  Benjamin  Knap, 
1;  Joseph  Randell,  1;  Tho.  Carl,  Jr.,  estate,  1;  Wm.  Dutton,  1; 
John  Shaw,  1;  Wm.  Palconier,  1;  Tho.  Ellis,  1;  Johnson  Yeo- 
mans,  1;  Richard  Sturdevant,  1;  Ezekiel  Kirkham,  1;  John 
Ferguson,  1;  Jacob  Sagua,  estate,  1;  Tho.  Donaldson,  estate,  1; 
Stephen  Booth,  1;  Zophar  Kirkham,  1;  Enoph  Shaw,  1;  Daniel 
Crawford,  1;  Philip  Smith,  1;  Joseph  Hitchcock,  Jr.,  1;  Hen- 
drick  Slott,  1;  Samuel  Haight,  1;  James  McFarland,  1;  John 
Langdon,  1;  Rachael  Simmins,  2;  Joshua  Brundage,  1;  Uriah 
Townsend,  1;  Nathan  Disbury,  Jr.,  1;  Moses  Crosby,  1;  Eph- 
raim  Jones,  2;  John  Vermilya  on  Dickinson's  farm,  1;  Absalom 
Simmons,  2;  David  Aikin,  Jr.,  1;  Mr.  James  Sayer's  estate,  2; 
Peter  Chapman,  estate,  1;  Stephen  Griflith,  1;  Beverly  Robin- 
son, Jr.,  farm,  10;  The  Mungis  farm,  1;  Wm.  Higbee,  2;  John 
Brown,  1;  John  Place,  1;  Ebenezer  Cole,  1;  Nathaniel  Jenkins, 
1;  Russell  Gregory,  1;  Seth  Kirkham,  1;  Samuel  Kniffen,  Jr., 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  127 

1;  Joshua  Gregory,  1;  Isaac  Slott,  1;  Gilbert  Shaw,  1;  Marcus 
Barrit,  1;  George  Curry  Sen.,  1;  John  Thurston,  1. 

"Philipse  Precinct:— Wm.  Davenport,  1;  Jacob  Mandeville, 
8;  John  Rogers,  3;  Timothy  Conklin,  6;  Thomas  Davenport,  15; 
Capt.  Peter  Dubois,  12;  John  Van  Amburg,  estate,  4;  George 
Lane,  3;  Isaac  Rhoads,  5;  Christopher  Fow^ler,  1;  John  Nelson, 
2;  Wm.  Dusenbury,  5;  Richard  Hopper,  1;  Samuel  Drake,  Jr.^ 
1;  Solomon  Smith,  2;  Joseph  Husted,  7;  Beverly  Robinson, 
70;  Tho.  Saris,  1;  Caleb  Nelson,  3;  Peter  Drake's  farm,  2;  John 
Armstrong,  2;  Wm.  Gee,  3;  Robert  Oakly,  1;  John  Win,  1;  Reu- 
ben Bunn,  1;  John  Birger,  1;  Philip  Steenbaugh,  1;  Nathaniel 
J  agger,  1;  Benjamin  Bloomer,  1;  Samuel  Yeomans,  1;  Moses 
Dusenbury,  5;  Henridge's  widow,  2;  Gilbert  Budd,  2;  Wm. 
Wright,  3;  Jonathan  Pine,  Jr.,  1;  John  Avery,  2;  Richard  Din- 
nis,  5;  Israel  Knap,  3;  Jonathan  Odell,  1;  Wm.  Colgrove,  2; 
John  McDonald,  1;  Samuel  Warren,  2;  David  Lane's  farm,  2; 
Anthony  Field,  2;  Widow  ArkiU,  1;  Gilbert  Oakley,  1;  Samuel 
Jenkins,  1;  Joseph  Knap,  1;  Ezekiel  Gee,  2;  Thomas  Sutton,  1; 
John  Barton  1;  Albert  Surine,  1;  John  Still  Purdy,  1;  Samuel 
Crommill,  2;  Isaac  Hall's  estate,  2;  Thomas  Bashford,  1;  Martin 
Hazleton,  1;  Abraham  Craft,  1;  Peter  Bill,  2;  Henry  Post,  1; 
Caleb  Hamson,  2;  John  Boice,  1;  Wm.  Lancaster,  1;  Uriah 
Mitchell,  1;  Peter  Ricks,  2;  Jeremiah  Sherwood,  1;  John  Sher- 
wood, 1;  Gabriel  Archer,  2;  Jonathan  Wright,  2;  Nathaniel 
Tompkins,  2;  Hannah  Knap,  5;  Joseph  Crorawells'  estate,  2; 
Caleb  Pells'  farm,  2;  Uriah  Drake's  farm,  2;  Joshua  Tompkins, 
2;  Benjamin  Odell,  1;  Matthew  McCaby,  1;  Lewis  Jones,  1;  Tho. 
Woodward's  farm,  1;  Justus  Nelson,  3;  Joshua  Nelson,  5;  Wm. 
Van  Tassel,  1;  John  Meeks,  4;  Joshua  Lamoraux,  1;  John  Gar- 
rison, 1;  Reuben  Drake,  4;  Thomas  Bryant,  1;  Richard  Arnold, 
2;  Sibert  Kornkhyt,  2;  Anthony  Yeomans,  1;  Cornelius  Tomp- 
kins, 4;  Micaiah  Avery,  1;  Tho.  Williams,  1;  Joseph  Haight, 
5;  Joseph  Sherwood's  farm,  2;  Joseph  Smith,  2;  Peter  Warren, 
2;  Gilbert  Bloomer,  2;  John  Gray,  1;  Jacob  Armstrong,  1; 
Oliver  Odell,  1;  Abraham  Post,  2;  John  Drake,  3;  Stephen 
Conklin,  2;  Jedediah  Ford,  1;  Jeremiah  McKudney,  1;  Col. 
Brinkerhoff's  farm,  1;  Elijah  Smith,  1;  Silvanus  Haight,  2; 
Wm.  Shaw,  1;  John  Haight,  3;  John  Likely,  3;  Silvanus  Tomp- 
kins, 1;  Thomas  Hill,  1;  John  Agard,  1;  Elijah  Dinge,  1; 
Stephen  Lawrence,  1;  Wm.  White,  1;  James  Jaycocks,  1;  Isaac 
Odell,  2;  Daniel  Wilsie,  2;  Nathaniel  Anderson,  1;  Peter  Birger, 


128  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUWTr. 

2;  Elijah  Budd,  2;  Jolin  HoUiday,  1;  Peter  Montross,  1;  Law- 
rence Powers,  1;  Timothy  Oakley,  1;  Wm.  Chatterton,  1;  Isaac 
Washburn,  2;  Henry  Wilsie,  2;  John  Comill,  1;  David  Hannin, 
1;  Daniel  Haight,  1;  Tho.  Hannin,  1;  Reuben  Tompkins,  1; 
James  Bashford,  1;  Joshua  Mead,  1;  Andrew  Doane,  1;  Moses 
Dusenbury,  Jr.,  1;  Jeremiah  White,  1;  Nathan  Lane,  1;  Mat- 
thew Snooks,  1;  Nathaniel  Post,  1;  John  Ruch,  1;  Robert 
Porter,  1;  Daniel  Bugbee,  2;  Tho.  Davenport,  Jr.,  1;  Benjamin 
Rogers,  2;  John  Hopper,  1;  Jonathan  Owens,  1;  Joseph  Bard, 
1;  Peter  Tei'rel,  1;  James  Mead,  1;  Nathan  Lane,  Jr.,  1;  Elisha 
Lamoreaux,  2;  Jonathan  Austin,  1;  Jonathan  Miller,  1;  Peter 
Snouck,  1;  Isaac  Krankhuyt,  1;  James  Nelson,  1;  Widow  Ar- 
kill,  1. 

"The  foregoing  list  signed  by  the  following  Assessors: — 
Jonathan  Dinnis,  John  Colkins,  John  Gr.  Brinkerhoff,  Peter 
Low,  Joseph  Carpenter,  Tho.  Baldwin,  Nathan  Birdsall,  James 
Winchell,  Benjamin  Sherman,  John  Van  Kleek,  Zacheus  New- 
comb,  David  Crosby,  Jr.,  Jabez  Berry,  Isaiah  J.  Tall  man,  Icha- 
bod  Pain,  Matthew  Van  Bunschoten,  David  Van  Ness,  Wm. 
Radlist. 

It  is  quite  evident  that  the  above  assessment  affords  no  in- 
formation as  to  the  actual  amount  of  property  possessed  by  the 
persons  named.  The  same  might  possibly  be  said  of  assess- 
ment rolls  in  more  modern  times,  but  the  proportion  was  prob- 
ably fair.  We  might  remark  the  great  wealth  of  Beverly  Rob- 
inson, when  we  compare  his  assessment  of  £70  with  that  of 
Thomas  Davenport,  £16,  the  next  highest  on  the  list. 

The  population  of  Putnam   county  in  1790  was  as  follows 
Frederickstown,    5932;     Philipstown,    2079;     Southeast,      921 
total,  8932;  in  1800:  Carmel,  1979;  Kent,  1661;  Patterson,  1506 
Philipstown,  2754;  Southeast,  1956;  total,  9896;  in  1810:  Carmel, 
2020;  Kent,   1811;  Patterson,  1446;    Philipstown,   3129;  South- 
east, 1887;  total,  10293;  in  1814:  Carmel,  1763;  Kent,  1119;  Pat- 
terson,  1557;    Philipstown,  3144;  Southeast,   1770;  total,   9353; 
in  1820:    Carmel,  2247;    Kent,  1801;    Patterson,   1578;  Philips- 
town,  3733;  Southeast,  1909;  total,  11268;  in  1825:  Carmel,  2192; 
Kent,    1794;    Patterson,    1572;    Philipstown,   4418;    Southeast, 
1890;  total,  11866;  in  1830,  Carmel,  2371;  Kent,  1931;  Patterson, 
1539;  Philipstown,  4761;  Southeast,  2036;  total  12638;  in  1835; 
Carmel,  2163:  Kent,  1661;  Patterson,   1347;  Philipstown,   4562; 
Southeast,   1818;    total,    11551;   in   1840:    Carmel,   2263;    Kent, 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  129 

1830;  Patterson,  1349;  Philipstown,  3814;  Putnam  Valley,  1659 
Southeast,  1910;  total,  12825;  in  1845:  Carmel,  2389;  Kent,  1729 
Patterson,  1289;  Philipstown,  4209;  Putnam  Valley,  1598 
Southeast,  2044;  total,  13258;  in  1850:  Carmel,  2442;  Kent,  1557 
Patterson,  1371;  Philipstown,  5063;  Putnam  Valley,  1629 
Southeast,  2076;  total,  14138;  in  1855:  Carmel,  2406;  Kent,  1539 
Patterson,  1422;  Philipstown,  4809;  Putnam  Valley,  1573 
Southeast,  2185;  total,  13934;  in  1860:  Carmel,  2559;  Kent,  1479 
Patterson,  1501;  Philipstown,  4530;  Putnam  Valley,  1582 
Southeast,  2350;  total,  14001;  in  1865;  Carmel,  2240;  Kent 
1473;  Patterson,  1476;  Philipstown,  5436;  Putnam  Valley,  1622 
Southeast,  2598;  total,  14845;  in  1875:  Carmel,  2800;  Kent,  1415 
Patterson,  1523;  Philipstown,  5156;  Putnam  Valley,  1843 
Southeast,  3062;  total,  15799. 


CHAPTER  X. 

ROADS  AND  FERRIES. 

THE  want  of  suitable  roads  was  for  long  years  after  the  set- 
tlement a  great  hindrance  to  the  spread  of  population. 
There  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  many  of  the  travelled  roads 
followed  trails  that  had  been  made  by  the  Indians,  with  all 
their  devious  turnings.  For  all  purposes  of  trade  between  New 
York  and  Albany  the  Hudson  River  was  the  great  highway,  and 
a  journey  between  those  places  by  land  was  long,  tedious  and 
even  dangerous.  In  1703,  the  Provincial  Legislature  passed  an 
"  Act  for  the  Laying  out.  Regulating,  Clearing,  and  Preserving 
Publick  Common  Highways  throughout  the  Colony."  Under 
this  act  a  public  highway  was  established  the  length  of  Long 
Island,  another  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  River  to  Albany, 
and  a  third  which  is  thus  described: 

"And  one  other  Publick  and  Common  General  Highway,  to 
extend  from  Kings  Bridge  in  the  County  of  Westchester  through 
the  same  County  of  Westchester,  Dutchess  County  and  the 
County  of  Albany,  of  the  breadth  of  four  rods  English  measure 
at  the  least,  to  be,  continue  and  remain  forever,  the  Publick 
Common  General  Road  and  Highway  from  Kings  Bridge  afore- 
said," to  the  ferry  at  Crawlier  over  against  the  City  of  Albany." 

The  act  went  on  to  provide  for  the  appointment  of  commis- 
sioners to  perform  the  work,  those  for  Dutchess  county  being, ' 
"Mr.  Balthus  Van  Clift,  Mr.  Johannes  Tarbus  and  Mr.  Robert 
Livingston."  These  highways  being  made  in  the  i-eign  of  Queen 
Anne,  were  at  first  called  the  Queen's  roads.  But  the  one  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river  was  generally  known  in  after  times  as 
the  Albany  Post  road,  which  name  it  still  retains.  Among  the 
local  officers  elected  in  the  old  "  South  Precinct"  a  "  Surveyor 
of  the  King's  road,"  was  one. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Albany  Post  road,  the  first  high- 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  131 

ways  in  this  county  were  laid  out  in  1744,  by  David  Hustis  and 
Francis  Nelson,  two  commissioners  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
These,  which  are  recorded  iu  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  Dutchess, 
afford  a  clue  to  many  early  landmarks,  the  memory  of  which 
has  passed  away. 

"  We  Francis  Nelson  and  David  Hustis  being  two  of  the  com- 
missioners for  laying  out  roads  in  the  South  Precinct  have  at 
the  request  of  divers  persons  laid  out  the  following  highways 
as  follows,  viz. : 

"Beginning  at  Thomas  Cercomes  house,  from  thence  by 
marked  trees  to  Ephraim  Forgeson's,  on  Cortlandt  Manor. 

"Another  road  beginning  at  the  farm  of  Eli  Nelson  from 
thence  by  marked  trees  to  Nathan  Lane's,  on  the  line  of  Cort- 
landt, thence  down  the  line  to  the  Shrub  plain. 

"Also  one  road  beginning  at  the  west  branch  of  Croton  river 
at  a  bridge,  from  thence  by  marked  trees  down  to  Joseph 
Travers,  then  running  down  the  division  line  through  the  still 
water'  to  said  Forgeson's. 

' '  One  other  road  beginning  at  the  deep  brook  or  Roge  kill, 
from  thence  by  marked  trees  through  pussapanun",  thence  to 
Daton's  hills. 

"  Also  one  other  road  beginning  at  Hendrick  Brewers  at  pus- 
sapanun  by  marked  trees  to  Daton's  hills. 

"  Also  one  other  road  beginning  at  Sibert  Cronkhyt's  at  ye 
Indian  road.  Beginning  at  Joseph  Jaycox  from  thence  by 
marked  trees  to  the  King's  road  at  Joseph  Areles. 

"One  other  road  beginning  below  pussapanun,  at  Joseph 
Cronkhyt's  house  by  marked  trees  to  Daton's  mill. 

"Performed  by  us  the  said  commissioners  the  28th  day  of 
April,  1744." 

To  locate  all  the  landmarks  in  the  above  description  would 
seem  a  hopeless  task.  "Thomas  Cercomes"  was  probably  at 
Red  mills.  Sibert  Cronkhy t  probably  lived  on  the  north  bounds 
of  Westchester  county. 

In  1745,   the  commissioners  were  Adolph  Philipse,  Thomas- 
Davenport  and  James  Dickenson,  and  in  that  year  they  laid  out 
the  following  roads: 

"  A  highway  beginning  at  the  division    line  between  Esq. 

'The  "  still  water  "  is  south  of  Mahopac  Falls. 

^Pussapanun  was  the  Indian  name  for  what  is  now  Union  Valley  in  the  town 
of  Carmel. 


132  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

PMlipse  Patent  and  Col.  Beekman's  precinct,  near  ye  east  part 
of  ye  precinct  where  ye  path  is  now  used,  so  by  marked  trees 
and  stakes  to  Cortlandt  Patent. 

' '  A  highway  from  James  Dickerson'  s  by  marked  trees  to 
Cortlandt  Patent. 

"A  highway  from  James  Dickerson' s  by  marked  trees  to 
Ridgefield  new  purchase. 

"  A  highway  beginning  at  ye  division  of  ye  two  counties  near 
by  Elihu  Townsend's  at  a  white  oak  tree,  on  ye  east  side  of  ye 
highway,  from  thence  to  a  white  oak  tree,  then  to  Elihu  Towns- 
end's  fence  to  his  corner,  as  ye  fence  now  stands,  then  with  the 
middle  line  of  the  Oblong  until  it  meets  with  Danbury  highway, 
from  thence  by  marked  trees  over  Joes  Hill,  so  called,  until 
it  meets  with  ye  highway  that  comes  from  Wostershire',  so 
called. 

"  A  highway  beginning  at  ye  bridge  by  John  Dickerson' s,  so 
by  marked  trees  until  it  comes  to  Crane's  Mills,  from  thence  by 
marked  trees  to  ye  bridge  by  Jeremiah  Calkins. 

' '  A  highway  from  Crane' s  Mills  by  marked  trees  to  Ridge- 
field new  purchase. 

' '  A  highway  beginning  at  Ed^vard  Grays,  so  by  marked  trees 
to  ye  Meeting  house,  from  thence  to  ye  west  Branch  of  Croten 
by  marked  trees  meeting  with  ye  highway  that  has  already  been 
laid  out  near  by  Hamblins. 

"A  highway  from  Shaws  by  marked  trees  to  Frost  mills, 
from  thence  to  Sprages. 

' '  A  highway  from  ye  bridge  by  John  Dickerson' s,  so  by 
marked  trees  to  the  Meeting  house,  from  thence  by  marked 
trees  to  Elijah  Tompkins. 

' '  A  highway  beginning  near  by  Taylor' s,  so  by  marked  trees 
until  it  meets  with  ye  highway  that  comes  from  ye  Great  Swamp 
by  William  Herns. 

"  A  highway  by  marked  trees  from  Wm.  Herns  on  ye  north 
side  of  ye  Bear  swamp,  so  called,  until  it  meets  with  Madam 
Britts  line. 

' '  A  highway  by  marked  trees  from  Madam  Britts  line  to  the 
Horse  pound,  so  called,  from  thence  to  Shaws,  and  from  ye 
Horse  pound  to  Croten  river  by  marked  trees. 

"A  highway  beginning  at  Joseph  Lee's,  by  marked  trees  to 
Wostershire  highway. 

'  Worcester. 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  133 

"A  highway  from  Samuel  Field's  farm  to  ye  highway  that 
leads  to  Daubiiry. 

"A  highway  from  James  Dickerson's  farm  to  ye  highway 
that  leads  to  Cortlandt  line. 

"  A  highway  from  James  Paddocks  to  Connecticut  line  by 
marked  trees." 

Some  of  the  locations  in  the  above  description  can  be  identified. 
James  Bickerson  lived  a  little  south  of  what  is  known  as  Sodom 
Corners,  in  Southeast.  The  highway  "  from  Col.  Beekman's 
precinct  to  Cortlandt  Patent,"  is  the  one  that  runs  from  Patter- 
son south,  nearly  along  the  west  bounds  of  the  Oblong.  Elihu 
Townsend  lived  at  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of  the  county. 
The  "bridge  by  John  Dickerson's  "  was  at  the  Southeast  Center 
or  Sodom.  Crane's  Mills  were  on  the  Croton  River  north  of 
"Joes  Hill,"  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  Sodom  Corners. 
The  "Meeting  house"  was  the  old  log  church  which  stood  on 
the  farm  of  James  Barnes,  one  mile  east  of  Dykeman's  Station. 
Edward  Graj^  lived  at  Doansburg,  north  of  the  church.  Elihu 
Townsend  lived  on  Lot  6,  on  the  Oblong,  close  to  the  West- 
chester county  line.  The  "  bridge  by  Jeremiah  Calkins  "  was 
at  Milltown.  "Hamblin's"  was  near  the  present  residence  of 
Ira  Crane,  west  of  Carmel.  "  Shaws  "  was  on  the  north  end  of 
Lake  Gleneida.  "Frost  Mills"  were  probably  on  the  Croton 
where  Theodore  Kelly  now  lives.  "  Sprages "  was  where 
Mr.  Le  Grand  Hughson  now  lives,  where  the  New  York  and 
Northern  Railroad  crosses  the  east  line  of  the  town  of  Carmel. 
The  highway  "from  John  Dickerson's  bridge  to  the  meeting 
house"  is  the  road  that  runs  north  over  Brewster's  Hill.  The 
road  to  Elijah  Tompkins  is  the  one  that  runs  through  "  Foggin 
town"  ;  Elijah  Tompkins  lived  north  of  Doansburg.  "  Wm. 
Herns  "  was  probably  where  Aikin's  Corners  are  now,  being  the 
east  end  of  the  road  from  Patterson  village.  .  The  road  "  from 
Wm.  Herns  to  Madam  Britts  line"  is  probably  the  main  street 
of  Patterson  and  its  continuation.  The  "Horse  pound  road" 
is  the  one  running  through  Carmel  village.  Samuel  Field  lived 
on  Lot  5,  on  the  Oblong,  near  Peach  Pond,  and  his  house  is  still 
standing.  The  highway  "from  James  Paddock's"  is  the  road 
south  of  Joe's  Hill.  James  Dickerson's  house  was  south  of  the 
bridge  over  the  Croton,  at  Southeast  Center. 

"April  ye  20th  day,  1747.     A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at 


134  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Abraham  Smiths,  by  marked  trees  to  the  highway  that  leads 
from  Kirkum  Mills  to  ye  Peekskill,  four  rods  wide. 

"A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at  James  Mairude's  so  by 
marked  trees  to  ye  highway  that  leads  from  Kirkum  Mills  to  ye 
Peekskill,  four  rods  wide. 

"A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at  a  former  highway  near  Eli 
Nelson's,  so  marked  by  trees  to  the  former  highway  in  Peeks- 
kill  hollow  four  rods  wide. 

"  A  highway  laid  out  beginning  near  Mickell  Shaws  so  by 
marked  trees  to  the  highway  by  Matthew  Roes,  from  thence 
through  Mr.  Hill's  farm  to  Kirkum  Mills,  four  rods  wide. 

'"*  A  highway  beginning  at  Kirkum  mills  so  by  marked  trees 
to  ye  highway  formerly  laid  out  that  leads  to  the  Peekskill  four 
rods  wide. 

"A  highway  beginning  near  Benjamin  Brundages  so  by 
marked  trees  to  Josiah  Gregory's  four  rods  wide. 

"  March  20th,  174f.  A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at  Kirkum 
mills  so  by  marked  trees  to  Peekskill  hollow,  from  thence  to 
Abraham  Smith's  from  thence  to  the  highway  that  leads  from 
Kirkum  mills  to  ye  Peekskill,  four  rods  wide. 

"A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at  Kirkum  mill  by  marked 
trees  to  ye  highway  east  of  Benjamin  Brundages,  four  rods 
wide. 

"A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at  ye  Peekskill  road,  and 
so  by  marked  trees  to  Josiah  Gregory' s,  four  rods  wide. 

"  A  highway  laid  out  beginning  at  James  Mored's  to  the 
Peekskill  hollow." 

Some  of  these  landmarks  can  be  identified.  Abraham  Smith's 
was  where  Hon.  Saxton  Smith  now  lives  in  the  town  of  Putnam 
Yalley. 

"  Kirkum' s  mills"  were  where  the  "Red  mills"  afterward 
stood,  on  the  outlet  of  Lake  Mahopac.  Michael  Shaw's  was  on 
the  north  end  of  Lake  Gleneida.  "Mr.  Hill's  farm  "  was  where 
the  Hill  Iron  Mine  now  is. 

"Nov.  11,  1748.  A  highway  laid  out  from  Capt.  Wright's 
saw  mill,  by  marked  trees  to  Peach  Pond  or  to  Westchester 
County  line. 

"  A  highway  laid  out  from  Curhelus  Fuller's  by  marked  trees 
until  it  meets  the  road  that  leads  from  ye  Long  bridge  to  Daniel 
Gray's. 

"  A  highway  from  James  Dickenson's  unto  Cortland ts  Manor. 


GENERAL   HISTOEY.  135 

"  A  highway  by  marked  trees  beginning  at  Croton  River  near 
James  Dickenson's  and  from  thenpe  to  ye  highway  by  Latham's 
four  rods  wide." 

"  Whereas  ye  inhabitants  of  the  South  Precinct  of  Dutchess 
County  did  request  several  highways  to  be  laid  out.  The  said 
commissioners  have  laid  out  the  several  highways  as  follows: 

"  Beginning  near  James  Dickenson's,  from  thence  by  marked 
trees  to  Cortlandt  Manor  by  Nathan  Bayley's,  four  rods  wide. 

"  One  more  highway  beginning  near  by  where  Doctor  Calkins 
used  to  live,  from  thence  by  marked  trees  to  ye  Oblong,  thence 
between  Nathaniel  Stevenson  and  Philipse  Patent,  to  Beekman 
precinct,  four  rods  wide. 

"One  more  highway  beginning  near  Morehouses  Mill  by 
marked  trees  to  ye  old  highway,  and  ye  old  highway  by  Greenes 
house  stopt  up. 

"One  more  highway  beginning  by  Joseph  Crane  thence  unto 
ye  highway  by  Samuel  Jones. 

"  One  more  highway  beginning  at  the  south  end  of  Nathaniel 
Stevenson's  land,  from  thence  eastward  between  Stevenson's 
land  and  Joshua  Barns  land,  four  rods  wide  to  the  middle  of 
the  Oblong." 

"Morehouses  Mill"  was  probably  at  Milltown.  The  road 
from  "  Nathaniel  Stevenson's  land  "  was  probably  the  one  that 
runs  northwest  from  Milltown  Cemetery.  In  1752,  a  highway 
was  laid  out  "beginning  at  Jonathan  Lane' s  house  and  from 
thence  by  marked  trees  to  EleazorYeomans  Mills,"  and  another 
"  beginning  at  Timothy  Shaws,  from  thence  over  the  mountains 
to  the  Fishkills."      The  same  year  the  following  were  laid  out. 

"  A  highway  from  Amos  Dickenson's  to  Jeremiah  Jones,  four 
rods  wide. 

' '  A  highway  beginning  at  the  Horse  pound  and  from  thence 
to  Amos  Fuller's  foiar  rods  wide. 

"  Another  beginning  at  John  Dickenson's  mill  from  thence  to 
the  highway  that  leads  to  the  meeting  house." 

In  1754  were  laid  out:  "A  highway  beginning  at  the  bridge 
near  Edward  Hall's  mill  on  the  Oblong,  from  thence  by  John 
Ryder's  door  to  a  stake  in  said  Ryder's  meadow,  from  thence 
between  James  Anderson's  land  and  said  Ryder's  land  as  far  as 
is  convenient  for  a  highway  to  be  made,  from  thence  as  near  to 
Rattle  snake  hill  as  is  convenient  for  a  highway  to  be  made, 
from  thence  to  the  highway  that  leads  across  Joes  Hill. 


136  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"Another  beginning  at  the  highway  that  leads  to  Robert 
Padricks  on  the  top  of  the  hill  in  John  Jones  possession,  from 
thence  to  Jacob  Finches  Bridge  and  from  thence  to  James 
Quimby,  and  from  thence  to  Thomas  Frosts." 

Another  "beginning  on  the  west  side  of  Quimby  farm  at  the 
highway  from  thence  between  John  Frosts  and  James  Quimbys 
farms  and  thence  to  Thomas  Townsends,  and  thence  to  the 
Bridge  by  Jeremiah  Baylees." 

Another  "beginning  near  Nehemiah  Woods  at  the  highway, 
and  from  thence  to  Nathaniel  Byington's  bridge." 

Another  "  beginning  at  Tho.  Higgins  and  from  thence  across 
the  hills  to  Daley  brook  so  called." 

Another  "beginning  at  Anthony  Battersons  house  from 
thence  along  the  colony  line  to  the  highway  that  leads  to 
Danbury." 

The  road  from  "Timothy  Shaws  to  Fishkill"  is  the  road 
from  Carmel  to  Kent  Cliffs  or  Boyd's  Reservoir.  The  road 
"  from  Horse  pound  to  Amos  Fuller's  "  is  now  called  Mud  road. 
"Edward  Hall's  mill"  and  "John  Ryder's"  were  both  prob- 
ably near  Milltown.  Thomas  Higgins  lived  north  of  Milltown. 
Daley  brook  flows  into  the  Croton  from  the  east  at  Milltown. 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolution  an  act  was  passed  April  4th, 
1785,  establishing  a  stage  route  to  Albany.  "Whereas  Isaac 
Van  Wyck,  Talmage  Hall  and  John  Kinne  have  by  their  peti- 
tion prayed  that  on  Account  of  the  great  expense  and  labor 
attending  the  undertaking,  an  exclusive  right  of  carrying  on  a 
stage  from  the  cities  of  New  York  and  Albany,  might  be 
granted  to  them  for  the  term  of  ten  years.  And  whereas  the 
erecting  a  stage  as  aforesaid  will  tend  to  promote  the  Ease  and 
Benefit  of  the  People  of  this  State,  permission  is  granted  them 
to  run  stages  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson  River."  No  other  per- 
sons were  to  run  stages  under  penalty  of  £200,  and  they  were 
"to  provide  at  least  two  good  and  sufficient  covered  stage 
wagons,  to  be  drawn  each  by  four  able  horses."  The  fare  was 
four  pence  a  mile,  including  the  liberty  of  carrying  14  pounds  of 
baggage,  and  for  every  150  pounds  of  baggage  four  pence  a  mile 
was  to  be  charged,  and  they  were  "  to  go  at  least  once  a  week." 

A  few  years  after  the  Revolution,  and  almost  as  soon  as  the 
country  had  become  quiet  after  the  toils  of  war,  the  attention 
of  the  State  government  and  the  people  was  turned  to  the 
necessity  of  better  means  of  communication. 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  137 

Acts  were  passed  for  the  improvement  of  certain  hiigliways 
and  for  laying  out  new  ones.  A  host  of  turnpike  companies 
were  incorporated  and  every  encouragement  was  given  to  their 
enterprise.  Not  a  few  roads  were  opened  and  improved  by  the 
help  of  funds  raised  by  lotteries.  At  first  the  stock  of  the 
various  turnpike  companies  found  ready  purchasers  and  as  the 
right  of  way  cost  very  little  and  labor  was  cheap,  excellent 
roads  virere  made  in  all  directions  at  a  small  expense,  vsrhile  the 
various  laws  in  relation  to  working  on  the  common  highways 
soon  produced  a  manifest  improvement. 

The  first  turnpike  laid  out  within  the  limits  of  Putnam  county 
was  by  the  Highland  Turnpike  Company.  This  company  was 
incorporated  by  an  act  of  Legislature  passed  March  16th,  1804. 
By  its  provisions  William  Edgar,  Joseph  Howland,  Philip  Van 
Cortlandt,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  jr.,  William  Keymees,  William 
Street,  Daniel  Delavan,  Isaac  Van  Wyck,  Gilbert  Livingston, 
Daniel  C.  Verplanck  and  Philip  Verplanck  and  their  associates 
were  authorized  to  make  "  a  good  and  sufiicient  road  beginning 
at  or  near  the  house  of  Matthew  Gage  in  the  town  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  from  thence  across  Croton  river  near  the  house  of 
Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  and  from  thence  to  and  through  the 
village  of  Peekskill,  and  from  thence  by  the  nearest  and  most 
eligible  route,  and  as  near  the  present  post  road  as  circumstances 
will  admit  to  or  near  the  churches  in  the  town  of  Pishkill  in  the 
County  of  Dutchess."  The  official  title  was  the  "President, 
Directors  and  Company  of  the  Highland  Turnpike."  The  com- 
pany was  authorized  to  take  land  if  necessary  and  the  commis- 
sioners who  were  appointed  bj''  the  act  were  William  Edgar, 
William  Denning,  Thomas  Storm,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Joseph 
Howland,  Gilbert  Livingston,  Daniel  W.  Birdsall,  Isaac  Van 
Wyck  and  William  Keymees.  The  usual  powers  were  con- 
ferred upon  the  company,  some  of  the  provisions  being  that  the 
number  of  toll  gates  should  not  exceed  three;  mile  stones  were 
"  to  be  erected  or  placed,  one  for  each  and  every  mile  of  the 
said  road,  and  on  each  stone  shall  be  fairly  and  legibly  marked 
the  distance  the  said  stone  is  from  the  city  of  New  York"  and 
a  bridge  was  to  be  erected  over  the  mouth  of  Croton  River,  to 
be  furnished  with  a  draw. 

Several  years  previous  to  this,  an  act  was  passed  March  28th, 
1797,  "for  opening  and  improving  certain  great  roads  within 
this  State."     This  act  provided  that  the  sum  of  |45,000  should 


138  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

be  raised  by  three  lotteries  and  after  certain  other  appropria- 
tions, "  the  residue  shall  be  laid  out  in  improvements  on  the 
post  road  leading  from  Croton  Ferry  to  the  County  of 
Dutchess." 

The  act  of  1804  was  repealed  and  a  new  act  passed  March 
25th,  1806,  by  which  William  Edgar,  Joseph  Rowland,  Philip 
Yan  Cortlandt,  William  Keymees,  William  Stut,  Daniel  Dela- 
van,  Philip  Verplanck,  Henry  Garrison.  Isaac  Van  Wyck, 
Daniel.  C.  Verplanck,  Robert  Williams,  William  Davies  and 
Philip  J.  Schuyler,  were  incorporated  to  make  and  maintain  a 
turnpike  from  Kings  Bridge  to  Croton  River  near  the  house  of 
Philip  Van  Cortlandt  and  then  by  the  most  convenient  route  to 
Poughkeepsie.  Their  privileges  and  duties  were  similar  to 
those  of  the  former  company.  The  act  was  amended  at  various 
times  and  the  time  for  finishing  the  road  extended,  and  persons 
living  on  the  line  of  the  turnpike  could  work  out  their  high- 
way tax  upon  it  if  they  wished.  The  turnpike  was  not  a  pe- 
cuniary success,  and  the  act  was  repealed  April  8th,  1833,  the 
corporation  was  dissolved,  and  the  commissioners  of  highways 
were  reqiaired  to  cause  the  road  to  be  kept  in  repair  the  same 
as  other  highways.  The  old  mile  stones  which  marked  the  dis- 
tance from  New  York  are  still  remaining,  and  this  is  about 
all  there  is  to  remind  the  traveller  of  the  Old  Highland  Turn- 
pike. 

The  next  company  of  this  county  was  the  Westchester  and 
Dutchess  Turnpike  Company,  organized  by  act  of  March  9th, 
1810. 

This  act  provided  that  William  Taber,  Rowland  Bailey,  Jona- 
than Ferris,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Samuel  Owens,  James 
Mandeville,  John  Oppie,  James  Dewey,  Charles  Dusenbury, 
John  C.  Voght,  John  Jones,  Nathaniel  Drake,  Edward 
Bugby,  St.  John  Constant,  Thomas  Brown,  Solomon  Rundle, 
and  Henry  Luddington  and  such  as  should  associate  with 
them,  "should  make  a  good  and  sufficient  turnpike  road,  to  be- 
gin at  the  Highland  Turnpike  near  the  house  of  Joseph  C. 
Voght,  in  Cortlandt,  thence  to  the  house  of  James  Mandeville, 
and  to  or  near  the  house  of  Samuel  Owens  in  said  town:  thence 
to  the  house  of  Jonathan  Ferris  and  to  or  near  the  house  of 
Edward  Bugby  and  Solomon  Avery  in  Philipstown,  and  from 
thence  running  up  Peekskill  Hollow,  to  the  house  of  Rowland 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  139 

Bailey',  and  from  thence  to  the  house  of  Henry  Ludington',  in 
the  town  of  Frederick,  and  then  to  the  great  road  west  of  Quaker 
Hi]]." 

The  capital  stock  was  1,500  shares  of  $25  each,  the  distance 
was  twenty-four  miles,  and  there  were  to  be  two  toll  gates  on 
the  road.  This  turnpike  througli  Peekskill  Hollow  followed 
the  old  road  which  was  in  use  long  before  the  Revolution  and 
plainly  marked  on  Erskine's  map.  In  1816,  the  time  for  the 
completion  of  the  road  was  extended  to  1821,  and  by  an  act  of 
1820  they  were  authorized  to  extend  the  road  "from  where  it 
now  intersects  the  Philipstown  Turnpike  near  the  house  of  Wm. 
Knapp,  across  the  Fishkill  Mountains." 

The  Philipstown  Turnpike  Comjjany  was  incorporated  by  an 
act  passed  April  14th,  1815.  By  this  act,  Samuel  Goixverneur, 
Amos  Belden,  David  Knapp,  Samuel  Townsend,  John  Haight 
and  others  were  incorporated  as  a  company,  "  for  the  purpose 
of  making  a  good  and  sufficient  road  from  Cold  Spring  landing, 
in  the  town  of  Philipstown,  and  running  from  thence  the  most 
direct  and  common  route,  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  by  way 
of  the  ore  bed,  Milltown',  Abel  Peak's  tavern*,  and  Joseph 
White's  tavern,  to  the  meeting  house  in  the  town  of  Patterson, 
according  to  the  survey  thereof  made  by  Zebulon  Horner,  Jr., 
March  28th,  1814,  and  extending  to  the  Connecticut  line  so  as 
to  promote  the  interest  of  the  Public'." 

The  capital  stock  of  this  company  was  to  be  1,000  shares  at  $30 
each.  This  turnpike  ran  from  Farmer's  Mills,  on  the  west  side 
of  White  Pond  and  up  into  Dutchess  county,  and  making  a 
tiirn  came  back  into  Putnam  county  on  the  west  side  of  the  mill 
pond  at  Ludingtonville.  It  ran  through  the  village  of  Patter- 
son, and  thence  northeast  up  the  hill  and  so  to  the  Connecticut 
line.  In  1829,  the  company  was  authorized  to  abandon  "  so 
much  of  their  road  as  lies  between  the  line  of  Fishkill  near  Peter 
Rites,  and  the  town  of  Patterson,  at  Benjamin  Pugsley's."  In 
1884,  they  were  authorized  ' '  to  abandon  so  much  of  the  road  as 
lies  between  Haviland's  Corners,  in  the  town  of  Patterson  and 
its  intersection  with  the  Connecticut  line  in  the  town  of  Paw- 

'The  present  residence  of  Mr.  Stephens,  at  Boyd's  Corners,  formerly  Dr.  Mat- 
thew Bailey's. 
'At  Ludingtonville  in  Kent. 
'Farmer's  Mills. 

*rhis  was  in  Dutchess  county  at  what  is  called  "Peck  Slip." 
=The  first  12  miles  were  built  by  Dr.  Edward  Parks,  for  $13,000. 


140  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

lings."  In  ]8o7,  an  act  was  passed  providing  "  that  when  the 
persons  holding  a  majority  of  the  stock  of  the  company,  should 
have  transferred  their  shares  to  the  towns  in  which  the  road 
lies,  that  then  such  parts  of  the  turnpike  shall  be  a  public  road 
and  worked  as  other  roads."  The  whole  road  was  finally  aban- 
doned by  the  company,  but  as  a  large  portion  of  it  west  of 
Farmer's  Mills  went  through  a  thinly  settled  region,  there  was 
not  enough  taxable  property  to  keep  it  in  repair.  In  1879,  the 
board  of  supervisors  was  authorized  to  appoint  three  commis- 
sioners to  keep  the  road  in  proper  condition.  Prom  that  time 
the  highway  has  been  kept  in  repair  by  the  commissioners  thus 
appointed  and  the  sum  of  $500  has  annually  been  expended  for 
that  purpose,  and  it  is  generally  known  as  the  "Putnam 
County  road."  Previous  to  this,  in  1862,  an  act  was  passed  by 
which  the  county  judge  was  authorized  to  appoint  three  com- 
missioners to  manage  the  road.  A  part  of  this  act  provided 
that  no  person  should  carry  a  load  of  more  than  4,000  pounds  on 
vehicles  with  wheels  less  than  five  inches  wide,  the  roads  having 
been  much  injured  by  heavy  loads  of  ore  fr®m  the  mines 
on  the  route.  In  1875  a  law  which  is  still  in  force  was  made 
providing  that  |500  annually  should  be  raised  for  keeping  the 
road  in  repair. 

An  effort  to  improve  one  of  the  most  important  roads  in  the 
county  was  made  in  1836,  when  an  act  was  passed  by  which 
James  Towner  and  William  Watts,  of  Putnam,  and  James 
Turk,  of  Westchester,  were  appointed  commissioners  "to  alter 
the  road  from  Frederick  Luddington's  by  way  of  the  Court 
House,  to  Croton  Turnpike,  for  the  purpose  of  shortening  and 
improving  the  same."  This  road,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  in 
the  county,  has  been  known  from  the  earliest  time  as  the 
"Horse  Pound  road."  It  was  once  the  principal  route  between 
Westchester  and  Dutchess  counties,  and  is  mentioned  by  the 
same  name  in  1756.  It  ran  the  width  of  the  county  from  the 
Dutchess  line  at  Ludingtonville,  to  Carmel;  and  by  the  Court 
House  it  ran  south,  running  to  the  west  of  the  present  road 
opposite  the  seminary  and  extended  south  to  where  the  road 
turns  east  that  goes  to  the  Grilead  burying  ground.  It  followed 
that  road  as  far  as  the  burying  ground,  and  from  that  ran  south- 
east (where  the  telegraph  poles  now  stand  and  where  the  line 
of  the  old  road  is  yet  plainly  visible)  to  the  road  that  runs 
south  past  the  "Watts  farm,"  called  the  Croton  Falls  road. 


GJiNEEAL   HISTORY.  141 

The  portion  of  the  road  between  the  burying  ground  and  the 
Watts  place  was  discontinued  after  the  making  of  the  "new 
road  "  running  east  from  Carmel,  by  the  Presbyterian  church. 

The  same  year  Edward  Smith,  of  Carmel,  Hart  Weed,  of 
Southeast,  and  Reuben  R.  Finch,  of  Cortlandt,  were  appointed 
"  to  lay  out  a  road  from  Peekskill  to  the  store  of  James 
Towner',  in  Patterson."  They  were  authorized  "  to  lay  out  the 
road  not  less  than  three  rods  wide,  by  the  Court  House  in 
Carmel,  to  the  store  of  James  Towner,  on  the  most  eligible  and 
direct  route,  or  to  alter  the  road  now  in  use  and  to  discontinue 
such  parts  as  they  deem  unnecessary."  The  commissioners 
were  to  have  $2  per  day  for  service.  This  road  was  from  Peeks- 
kill  by  way  of  the  "Red  Mills",  and  was  made  a  very  excel- 
lent road. 

The  act  was  amended  in  1744,  and  Ray  Tompkins,  of  Somers,. 
John  Crawford,  of  Southeast,  and  Silas  Slawson,  of  Carmel, 
were  appointed  to  lay  out  the  highway  not  less  than  three  rods 
wide  from  the  house  of  James  Towner,  by  the  Court  House  in 
Carmel,  to  "The  house  of  Gilbert  Knapp,  near  the  head  of 
Peekskill  Turnpike,  in  Yorktown,"  and  in  case  the  turnpike 
should  be  free,  they  were  to  lay  out  a  free  road  three  rods  wide. 
These  roads  were  of  great  importance,  as  leading  to  the  only 
convenient  port  on  the  Hudson  River. 

The  " Croton  Turnpike"  was  made  under  an  act  passed 
April  8th,  1811,  by  which  Stephen  Barnum,  Samuel  Haviland, 
Benjamin  Cowls  and  Abijah  Seeley  and  their  associates  were 
authorized  "  to  make  a  good  and  sufficient  road  from  the  north 
end  of  the  Croton  Turnpike  near  the  house  of  widow  Deborah 
Sears,  in  the  town  of  Southeast,  and  running  thence  the  most 
direct  route  to  the  house  of  Abijah  Seeley,  in  the  town  of  Pat- 
terson and  thence  by  the  most  direct  route  to  the  bridge  across 
Croton  Riv.er  about  one  half  mile  west  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Cowls, 
thence  eastwardly  to  the  Connecticut  line,  terminating  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  Timothy  Haviland,  in  said  town  of  Pat- 
terson." 

This  is  the  road  that  runs  through  Haviland  Hollow-.  Abijah 
Seeley  lived  where  his  son,  Dr.  Jonathan  Seeley,  now  lives, 
about  a  mile  north  of  Doansburg.  The  old  Croton  Turnpike 
ran  from  the  Westchester  line  near  Croton  Falls,  to  the  present 

'This  was  at  the  four  corners,  near  the  Baptist  church,  now  the  residence  of 
Philip  D.  Penney. 


142  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COTTNTT. 

site  of  the  Borden  Condensed  Milk  Factory,  near  Brewster, 
and  tlience  on  to  Southeast  Center,  and  thence  to  Doansburg 
where  it  terminated  on  the  west  side  of  the  burying  ground. 
The  above  described  road  is  its  continuation  to  Cowls'  Corners 
and  Haviland  Hollow. 

The  Putnam  and  Dutchess  Turnpike  Company  was  incor- 
porated by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  April  11th,  1827,  by 
which  act  Edward  Smith,  Alvin  Chase,  Herman  R.,  Stephen 
and  Elizer  Baldwin,  and  such  persons  as  should  associate  with 
them,  were  incorporated  to  build  "  a  good  and  sufficient  turn- 
pike road,  to  commence  at  a  point  on  the  Croton  Turnpike  in 
the  town  of  Somersin  Westchester  Co.,  between  the  house  of 
Isaac  Brown  and  the  bridge  over  the  east  branch  of  Croton 
Eiver,  a  few  rods  northeast  of  the  mill  of  John  Owen,  to  run 
from  thence  the  most  eligible  route  through  the  County  of  Put- 
nam, to,  or  near,  the  house  occupied  by  Sylvanus  Merritt,  in 
the  town  of  Pawlings,  in  the  County  of  Dutchess,  passing  on 
this  route  on  the  west  side  of  the  Court  House  in  the  town  of 
Carmel,  Putnam  Co.,  and  near  the  house  of  Edward  Smith,  in 
the  town  of  Kent,  and  near  the  house  of  Sewell  White  in  the 
town  of  Pawlings." 

The  stock  was  to  be  $10,000,  in  shares  of  $20  each,  and  as  soon 
as  any  five  miles  of  the  road  should  be  finished,  they  were 
authorized  to  erect  gates,  but  not  within  one  mile  of  the  Court 
House.  Jonathan  Morehouse,  Benjamin  Isaacs  and  Wheeler 
Gilbert  were  appointed  commissioners  to  lay  out  the  road  and 
were  authorized  to  appropriate  any  land  then  used  as  a  road. 

The  end  of  all  these  turnpike  companies  was  the  same.  They 
proved  unprofitable  and  the  cost  of  main taining\  toll  gates  and 
keeping  the  road  in  repair  exceeded,  or  at  least  equaled,  the 
income.  They  were  gradually  abandoned,  and  became  common 
highways,  but  Putnam  county  is  indebted  to  these  learly  cor- 
porations for  its  best  roads,  and  the  traveller  may  well  call  to 
mind  the  names  of  their  founders  and  bless  their  memory. 

"We  hear  no  more  of  the  clanging  hoof, 

And  the  stage-coach  rattling  by  ; 
For  the  steam-king  rules  the  travelled  world, 

And  the  old  pike's  left  to  die. 
The  grass  creeps  o'er  the  flinty  path, 

And  the  stealthy  daisies  steal, 
Where  once  the  stage-horse,  day  by  day. 

Lifted  his  iron  heel. 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  143 

"  No  more  the  weary  stager  dreads 
The  toil  of  the  coming  morn  ; 
No  more  the  bustling  landlord  runs 

At  the  sound  of  the  echoing  horn  ; 
For  the  dust  lies  still  upon  the  road, 

And  the  bright-eyed  children  play 
Where  once  the  clattering  hoof  and  wheel, 
Rattled  along  the  way." 

Eev.  John  Piebpont. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution  there  v^as  but  little  need  of  a 
regularly  established  ferry  across  the  river  from  any  portion  of 
this  county,  the  population  being  small  and  the  occasions  for 
crossing  being  few.  It  was  not  till  the  war  began  that  the  im- 
portance of  West  Point  as  a  military  post  became  apparent. 
Up  to  1795,  the  power  of  licensing  ferries  to  carry  passengers 
for  hire,  was  vested  in  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas,  which 
granted  the  license  and  prescribed  the  rates  of  fare. 

"  An  Act  for  establishing  and  regulating  a  ferry  across  the 
North  River,  in  the  town  of  Philips,  in  the  County  of  Putnam, 
March  16th,  1821. 

"That  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  Harry  Garrison  of  the 
town  of  Philips,  his  heirs  and  assigns  to  set  up  and  keep  and 
maintain  a  ferry  across  the  North  River,  to  any  convenient  place 
on  the  west  shore  of  the  said  river  in  the  County  of  Orange, 
for  and  during  the  term  of  twelve  years  from  and  after  the  pas- 
sage of  this  act." 

By  an  act  passed  April  12th,  1830,  it  was  granted  to  John 
Garrison  of  the  town  of  Philips,  and  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to 
set  up  and  keep  a  ferry  across  the  river,  from  the  land  of  said 
Garrison,  between  the  north  point  of  Constitution  Island  and 
the  north  point  of  Conshook  Island  to  any  convenient  place  on 
the  west  side  of  the  river  in  the  County  of  Orange,  for  the  period 
of  ten  years  from  the  16th  day  of  May,  1833.  In  1843,  this  privi- 
lege was  extended  to  twelve  years.  In  1833,  the  following  rates 
of  ferriage  were  established  by  the  County  Court: 

''For  carrying  every  wagon  with  2  horses,  $1.25;  for  cai'rying 
every  wagon  with  1  horse,  75c. ;  for  single  horse,  50c. ;  each  head 
of  cattle,  37^0. ;  hog,  sheep  or  calf,  6c. ;  wagon,  sulky  or  chaise, 
50c;  single  passenger,  18c. ;  barrel  of  pork  or  beef,  12^0." 

These  rates  might  be  doubled  after  the  first  of  December, 
until  the  succeeding  March,  between  the  hours  of  8  p.  m.  and 
snnrise. 


144  HISTORY   OF  tiJTNAM   COUNTY. 

In  1826,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  Thomas  Ketcham  and 
Samuel  Gouverneur  to  keep  a  ferry  across  the  Hudson  River 
from  Putrock  Landing,  in  Orange  county,  to  Cold  Spring 
Landing. 

In  1850,  Edward  Hubbard,  Christopher  D.  Miller  and  Thomas 
J.  De  Lancy  were  empowered  to  run  a  ferry  from  Cornwall  to 
Cold  Spring  for  the  term  of  ten  years. 

In  1851,  Henry  R.  Purdy  was  empowered  to  keep  a  ferry 
"  from  Cold  Spring  Landing  between  the  north  point  of  Con- 
stitution Island,  and  the  south  part  of  Stony  Point,  to  some 
convenient  place  on  the  opposite  shore,"  for  the  term  of  twelve 
years. 

In  1863,  a  grant  of  land  under  water  was  made  to  the  Grarri- 
son  and  West  Point  Ferry  Company,  the  same  being  contiguous 
to  their  property. 

The  present  Garrison  and  West  Point  Ferry  Company,  organ- 
ized under  a  law  of  1853,  consists  of  Henry  W.  Belcher, 
Henry  E.  Belcher,  George  E.  Belcher,  Charles  D.  Hoflfman, 
Ethan  D.  Griswold  and  Frank  D.  Griswold.  The  capital  stock 
is  $25,000,  and  the  company  owns  real  estate  and  boats  to  the- 
amount  of  $53,000. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


POLITICAL  DIVISIONS. 


WITH  the  English  conquest  of  New  Netherland  came  of 
course  a  new  system  of  government,  and  by  an  act  of 
the  General  Assembly,  November  1st,  1683,  the  province  of  New 
York  was  divided  into  twelve  counties.  Of  these  Dutchess 
was  one,  and  its  boundaries  are  described  and  defined  to  be 
"from  the  bounds  of  the  County  of  Westchester  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Highlands,  and  along  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  river 
as  far  as  Roeliflf  Jansen's  Kill",  and  east  into  the  woods  twenty 
miles."  At  the  time  of  its  establishment,  there  were  scarcely 
any  inhabitants  in  the  entire  region,  and  for  many  years  it  was 
practically  a  part  of  Ulster  county,  where  the  courts  were  held, 
and  its  public  business  performed;  and  provision  was  made  for 
the  freeholders  to  give  their  votes  in  that  county  as  if  they  were 
residents  therein.  This  continued  till  1701,  when  the  county 
first  came  to  have  a  separate  existence. 

Up  to  1701,  Dutchess  county  was  thought  incapable  of  bearing 
the  expense  of  a  representative  in  the  General  Assembly,  "  but 
the  people  of  that  county  animated  by  the  heat  of  the  times, 
sent  Jacob  Rutsen  and  Adrian  Garretson  to  represent  them  in 
the  Assembly." 

The  next  attempt  at  a  form  of  civil  government  for  the 
county,  was  in  1713,  when  the  following  was  enacted: 

"An  Act  for  Dutchess  County  to  elect  a  Supervisor,  a  Treas- 
urer, Assessor  and  Collector. 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  Council  and  Assembly  and 
by  the  Authority  of  the  same,  That  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  in 
Dutchess  County  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  and  are  hereby  re- 
quired to  issue  their  Warrant  to  the  Constables  of  the  said 
County,  to  give  warning  to  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants,  in 

'  Now  Livingston  Creek,  opposite  Catskill. 
10 


146  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM    COXJNTY. 

the  respective  Precincts  thereof  to  assemble  and  meet  at  the 
most  convenient  place,  as  the  Justices  or  any  two  of  them  shall 
appoint,  at  any  time  before  the  first  Tuesday  in  September  next, 
there  to  make  choice  of  one  Freeholder  to  be  Supervisor,  one 
Treasurer,  two  Assessors  and  two  Collectors,  in  the  said  County, 
who  shall  have  the  same  Power,  Authority,  Office  and  Function, 
and  do,  perform,  execute  and  serve,  and  be  liable  to  the  same 
Pains  and  Penalties,  as  the  Supervisors,  Treasurers,  Assessors 
and  Collectors  of  the  several  and  respective  Counties  within  this 
Colony  until  the  first  Tuesday  in  April  next  ensuing,  and  then 
one  Supervisor,  one  Treasurer,  and  so  many  Assessors  and 
Collectors  to  be  chosen  and  elected  annually." 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  officers  men- 
tioned were  elected  annually,  but  no  document  in  existence 
gives  their  names  or  tells  of  their  acts;  and  the  next  informatin 
to  be  found  is  contained  in  an  act  passed  in  1719,  entitled,  "  An 
Act  to  elect  Supervisors  in  Dutchess  County."  "  Whereas  by 
an  Act  made  in  the  Twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  the  late  Queen 
Anne,  Entitled: 

"  An  Act  for  Dutchess  County  to  elect  a  Supervisor,  a  Trea- 
surer, Assessors  and  Collectors,  the  County  since  being  increased 
in  Inhabitants  and  Settlements  made,  Now  for  the  more  ease 
and  better  defraying  the  public  Charge  of  the  said  County.  Be 
it  therefore  enacted  by  the  Grovernor,  Council  and  General 
Assembly,  and  it  is  hereby  Enacted  by  the  authority  of  the 
same.  That  from  and  after  the  Publication  of  this  Act,  the  said 
County  shall  be  divided  into  three  Divisions.  The  South 
Division  to  begin  at  the  South  side  of  the  Highlands,  and  ex- 
tend to  Wappingers  creek,  the  Middle  Division  to  begin  at  the 
aforesaid  Wappingers  creek  and  so  northward  to  the  Kline 
Sopus  Island,  and  the  North  Division  to  begin  on  the  North 
side  of  the  middle  Division  and  ending  on  the  northmost  Bounds 
and  extent  of  the  County. 

"  And  for  the  better  advantage  and  more  easie  adjusting  the 
Accounts  of  Taxes  in  the  said  County,  and  payment  of  the 
County  charge.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
the  Inhabitants  of  every  respective  Division  are  hereby  required 
and  Authorized,  yearly  and  every  year  upon  the  publick  Elec- 
tion, being  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,  to  elect  and  appoint  in 
every  Division  a  Supervisor  for  the  said  County  who  shall  have 
the   same  power.    Function  and  Authority  to  raise    Publick 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  147 

Money  to  defray  the  necessary  charge  of  the  County  and  also 
adjust  the  charges  of  the  same,  as  all  otherj  Supervisors  of  the 
Colony  by  Law  have  a  right  to  have." 

The  divisions  thus  established  were  called  "  Wards,"  not  by 
legal  authority,  but  by  popular  usage.  The  South  Ward  in- 
cluded, of  course,  all  the  region  now  embraced  in  Putnam 
county,  and  also  a  large  portion  of  the  present  county  of 
Dutchess.  As  the  population  increased,  some  difficulty  arose 
as  to  the  true  location  of  the  northern  boundary,  as  is  shown  by 
the  following  entry: 

"  At  a  General  Court  of  Sessions  held  at  the  Court  House  at 
Poughkeepsie  in  Dutchess  County  on  the  21st  day  of  May, 
Anno  Dom.  1728.  Taking  into  consideration  the  information  of 
the  Grand  Jury  who  imparted  that  a  great  inconvenience  was, 
and  more  might  thereby  ensue.  Whereas  the  bounds  between 
the  middle  and  South  Wards  of  said  County  not  being  plainly 
distinguished,  therefore  it  is  now  agreed  that  the  Division  shall 
begin  at  the  mouth  of  Wappingers  Creek,  and  so  up  the  said 
creek  until  a  line  drawn  from  the  house  of  Hendrick  Boss  due 
west  doth  cross  ye  said  Creek,  due  east  to  the  line  of  Connec- 
ticut Colony,  so  that  all  remaining  on  ye  South  shall  be,  and  is 
hereby  distinguished  as  ye  South  Ward." 

The  early  records  of  the  elections  of  officers  in  these  wards 
are  lost  and  the  first  found  is  in  1722.' 

"  At  an  Election  held  in  Dutchess  County  in  the  South  Ward, 
on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,  it  being  the  second  day  of  said 
Month  1722.  These  following  are  chosen  for  Dutchess  County 
for  the  South  Ward:— John  Montross,  Constable  &  Collector; 
Jacobus  Swartwout,  Supervisor;  Peter  Du  Boys,  Assessor; 
Johannes  Ter  Boss,  Jr.,  Assessor;  Jan  De  Lange,  Overseer  of 
the  King's  Highway;  Jacobus  Terbos,  Overseer  of  the  High- 
way; Jan  Buys,  Surveyor  of  the  fences:  Gerrit  Van  Vliet,  Sur- 
veyor of  the  fences. 

"Henry  Vakderburg,  Clerk." 

'.'  At  a  meeting  of  Sundry  Freeholders  &  Tenants  of  Dutchess 

County  assembled  this  first  Tuesday  in  April  1724,  in  ye  South 

Ward,  the  following  persons  were  chosen  by  Majority  of  votes 

to  sarve  for'  this  year  viz: — Jacobus   Swartwout,   Supervisor; 

James  Hussey  and  I^rancis  De  Langen,  Assessors;   Hendrick 

Philipse,  Constable  &  Collector;   Isaac   Lossing',   Surveyor  of 

'From  the  family  of  this  name  is  descended  Benson  J.  Lossing,  LL.D.,  the  cele- 
brated historian. 


148  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

King's  Highway;  Jan  Buys,  Surveyor  of  ye  roads  about  ye 
Fishkill;  Daniel  Bush,  Surveyor  of  ye  roads  about  Pough- 
quaick';  Peter  Du  Bois  and  Jan  Buys,  Surveyors  of  fences; 
Jan  Buys,  Pounner  (Pounder). 

"Agreed  by  a  majority  of  votes  that  all  fences  shall  be  in 
height  from  ye  ground  upward  to  ye  uppermost  part  of  ye  top 
rail  or  log  or  Ryder,  4  foot,  4  inches,  English  measure.  Also 
agreed  that  ye  Hogs  in  ye  said  Ward  has  priviledge  to  run^from 
ye  1st  day  of  Oct.  till  ye  month  of  April." 

A  curious  example  of  county  expenses,  in  the  early  part  of 
the  last  century,  is  the  following  account  of  bills  allowed  by 
the  Supervisors  in  1724: 

"Dutchess  County  Anno  Dom.  172|,  February  the  2nd  day." 

"At  a  meeting  of  Supervisors  at  Poughkeepsie  to  adeciate 
the  debts  and  arrearages  of  ye  said  Co.  we  have  proceeded  and 
allowed  to  the  persons  hereafter  named  the  following  accounts 
viz: 

"To  Col.  Leonard  Lewis  to  service  in  Gen.  Assembly, 

63  days,  Sertificate  date  ye  14  July  An.  1724.     .     .  £18, 18s. 

"Ordered  that  20s.  be  given  to  the  Clerk  Mr.  Henry 
Van  Der  Burg  for  to  purchase  a  book  of  the  Laws 
of  the  Province  for  the  use  of  the  County,     .        .      1,00 

"Ordered  that  the  Clerk  shall  have  £4  for  his  years 

salary  which  was  expired  the  15th  of  last  Oct.  past,      4,00 

"  To  Harm  anus  Ryder  for  his  Salary,  ....        ,30s. 

"  To  Leonard  Lewis  Esq.  for  Beer  and  Rum  for  ye  As- 
sessors and  Supervisors, ,12s. 

"To  Mr.  Jacobus  Van  Den  Bogart  for  victualing  the 

Supervisors  and  Assessors, ,09s. 

"To  Mr.  Traphagen  for  service  upon  the  Kings  High- 
road which  was  never  afore  brought  in,  for  two 
days  at  6s.  per  day, ,12s. 

"  To  Col.  Leonard  Lewis  for  6s.  disbursed  for  the  Co. 
to  Harmanus  Rynders,  as  Cryer  in  ye  Circuit  Court 
several  years  agoe, ,6s. 


£27, 07s. 
"  Barent  Van  Wagner, 
"Jacobus  Swartwout, 
"Jacobus  Van  den  Bogart." 

'Now  the  town  of  Beekman. 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  149 

Taxes  were  small  In  those  days  as  may  be  seen  by  the  fol- 
lowing receipt: 

"New  York  18  June  1724,  Received  from  John  Montross 
Collector  of  the  South  Ward  of  Dutchess  Co.  by  the  hands  of 
Leonard  Lewis  Esq.  the  sum  of  5  pounds  6  shillings  and  8 
pence,  being  on  the  acct.  for  Raising  the  Quantity  of  Three 
thousand  ounces  of  plate  for  the  effectual  sinking  and  cancel- 
ling bills  of  credit  to  that  value. 

"  I  say  received  by  me. 

"£5,  6s.  8d. 

"A.  D.  Peyster,  Jr." 

As  the  Dutch  language  was  used  by  a  large  portion  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  county  at  that  time,  receipts  are  occasionally 
found  given  in  that  language  : 
"  Dutsers  Co.  1726  July  17. 

'  •  Ontsange  von  Mr.  Welliam  Lessen  de  sam  von  twelf  pont 
en  elf  Segillings  en  een  penny,  Synde  en  vol  voor  Syn  tax  lyst 
by  myn 

Lowwerens  Vajs"  Clebk 

Treasurer." 

Supervisors  of  the  South  Ward  of  Dutchess  county:  Jacobus 
Swartwout,  1722-24;  James  Hussy,  1725;  Peter  Du  Bois,  1726; 
Jacobus  Swartwout,  1727;  Abraham  Brinkerhoff,  1728;  Jacobus 
De  Peyster,  1729-31;  James  Hussy,  1732. 

The  comparative  wealth  of  these  three  wards  may  be  seen 
from  the  following  amounts  of  tax  paid  in  the  year  1725:  North 
Ward,  £53,  15s.,  3d.;  Middle  Ward,  £36,  9s.,  3Jd.;  South 
Ward,  £27,  9s.,  l^d. 

The  next  change  in  political  divisions  was  December  16th, 
1737,  when  the  following  was  passed: 

''An  Act  to  divide  Dutchess  County  into  Precincts. 

"  Whereas  Dutchess  County  by  an  Act  made  in  the  5th  year 
of  his  late  Majesty's  reign',  enfitled  'an  Act  to  elect  Super- 
visors in  Dutchess  County,'  was  divided  into  three  Divisions, 
and  whereas  since  that  time  the  Number  of  Inhabitants  is  much 
increased  and  many  new  settlements  have  been  made,  whereby 
it  is  become  necessary  for  the  Ease  and  Convenience  of  the 

'  As  Acts  of  Parliament  and  deeds  for  land  in  colonial  times  are  dated  from  the 
year  of  the  beginning  of  the  Sovereign's  reign  the  following  may  be  of  value  as 
reference:  William  and  Mary  began  to  reign  in  1689;  Queen  Anne  in  1703; 
George  I.  in  1715;  George  II.  in  1728. 


150  HISTORY    01'  PUTJNTAaC   COUNTY. 

Inhabitants  thereof  that  the  said  County  should  be  divided  into 
more  Precincts. 

"Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  Lieut.  Governor,  tlie  Council 
and  the  General  Assembly,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the 
Authority  of  the  same.  That  from  and  after  the  Publication 
of  this  Act,  the  said  County  shall  be  divided  into  seven  Pre- 
cincts in  the  following  manner  : 

"  The  south  Precinct  to  contain  all  that  part  of  the  Highlands 
which  is  granted  by  Patent  to.Adolph  Philipse  Esq.. 

"  The  Rumbout  or  Fishkill  Precinct  to  contain  all  that  part 
of  Rumbout  Patent  South  of  Wappinger's  Creek. 

"The  Beekmen  Precinct  to  contain  all  that  land  granted  to 
Henry  Beekman  Esq." 

The  act  goes  on  to  establish  the  precincts  of  Crom  Elbow, 
Rhynbeck  and  Northeast. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  the  South  Precinct  em- 
braced all  the  present  county  of  Putnam  and  also  the  south- 
western portions  of  the  town  of  Fishkill  in  Dutchess. 

The  loss  of  many  of  the  early  records  renders  it  impossible  to 
give  a  complete  list  of  the  officers  of  the  South  Precinct,  and 
we  can  only  give  the  names  of  the  officers  from  1754. 

Supervisors :  Samuel  Field,  1754-56;  Petrus  Dubois,  1757; 
Philip  Philipse,  o^  New  York,  1760-62;  Beverly  Robinson, 
1763—65;  Philip  Philipse,  1766-69;  TertuUus  Dickenson, 
1770-71. 

Assessors :  James  Dickenson,  Joseph  Lane,  1754;  James 
Dickenson,  William  Nelson,  1755-56;  Joseph  Lane,  Daniel 
Townsend,  1757;  Valentine  Perkins,  Joseph  Lane,  1758;  Daniel 
Townsend,  Joseph  Lane,  1759;  James  Dickenson,  George 
Hughson,  1760;  James  Dickenson,  George  Hughson,  1761-2-3-4-5; 
Joseph  Lane,  Edward  Gray,  1766;  Malcolm  Morrison,  TertuUus 
Dickenson,  1767-8-9;  Roswell  Wilcox,  Samuel  Peters  Esq., 
1770;  William  Penny,  James  Dickenson  jr.,  1771. 

Clerks:  Schuman  Travis,  1761;  Samuel  Dickenson,  1763; 
Edward  Rice,  1766;  Eleazar  Baker,  1767. 

Constables  in  1754:  Israel  Taylor,  Nathan  Taylor,  Uriah 
Hill,  Thomas  Philipse. 

The  first  overseers  of  the  poor  were  George  Hughson,  Edward 
Gray,  Peter  Drake  and  Nathaniel  Porter,  1762.  In  this  year 
there  was  a  great  addition  made  to  the  number  of  precinct 
officers,  there  being  elected,  six  "Pounders,"  four  fence  viewers. 


GEKTERAL   HISTORY.  151 

and  forty  eight  pathmasters.  In  1763,  a  new  officer  makes  his 
appearance,  in  the  person  of  Jacob  Parrish,  "Whipper." 
Whether  the  precinct  ceased  to  have  any  need  for  the  services 
of  this  officer,  or  whether  no  one  cared  to  fill  the  position,  is 
unknown  to  the  writer,  but  he  seems  to  have  been  the  first  and 
the  last  elected  to  that  office. 

For  several  years  before  the  Revolution,  the  population  of 
the  South  Precinct  increased  with  rapidity,  especially  the  eastern 
portion,  and  on  the  24th  of  March,  1772,  the  following  was 
passed: 

"An  Act  for  dividing  the  South  Precinct  of  the  County  of 
Dutchess  into  three  Precincts. 

"Whereas  the  South  Precinct  in  the  County  of  Dutchess  is 
so  extensive  that  many  of  the  inhabitants  cannot  attend  the 
annual  meeting  for  Election  of  officers,  without  great  incon- 
venience, and  is  become  so  populous  that  the  Elections  can  no 
longer  be  held  with  due  Order  and  Regularity. 

"I.  Be  it  enacted  by  his  Excellency  the  Governor  the  Coun- 
cil and  the  General  Assembly,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the 
Authority  of  the  Same.  That  the  said  South  Precinct  shall 
after  the  first  day  of  April  next  be  divided  into  three  Precincts 
in  the  Manner  following: 

"  The  west  Division  or  Precinct  is  to  be  called  Philips  Pre- 
cinct, bounded  as  follows,  to  wit.  Southerly  by  Westchester 
County,  Easterly  by  East  line  of  Beverly  Robinson's  Long  Lot 
No.  4;  Northerly  by  the  Division  line  between  Rumbout  and 
Philipse  Patents,  and  Westerly  by  Hudson's  river.  And  the 
Middle  Division  or  Precinct  to  comprehend  that  part  of  Philipse 
Patent,  within  the  said  South  Precinct  known  by  the  name  of 
ihe  three  east  short  Lots  and  the  two  eastern  Long  Lots,  to  be 
called  Fredricksbarg  and  bounded  as  follows,  to  wit,  Southerly 
by  Westchester  County,  Northerly  by  Pawlings  Precinct,  East- 
erly by  the  Oblong  and  Westerly  by  Philipse  Precinct.  The 
Eastermost  Division  or  Precinct  to  comprehend  the  lands  called 
the  Oblong  lying  within  the  said  South  Precinct,  to  be  called 
the  South  East  Precinct,  and  bounded  as  follows,  to  wit,  South- 
erly by  Westchester  County,  Westerly  by  Predricksburg  Pre- 
cinct, Northerly  by  Pawlings  Precinct,  until  it  comes  to  the 
Connecticut  line.  Easterly  by  the  Connecticut  line.  In  which 
said  three  Precincts  there  shall  be  annually  chosen  by  the  ma- 
jority of  voices  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants,  in  each  re- 


152  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

spective  Precinct,  One  Clerk,  one  Supervisor,  two  Assessors,  one 
Collector,  two  Constables,  three  Overseers  of  Poor,  three  fence 
viewers,  two  Pound  Masters  and  Overseers  of  Highways  or  as 
many  Pound  Masters  and  Overseers  of  Highways  as  the 
majority  of  the  Inhabitants  at  their  said  annual  meeting  shall 
think  fit.  Which  said  officers  so  elected  shall  each  and  every 
of  them  have  the  same  Power  and  Authority  that  any  of  the 
like  officers  have  in  any  other  of  the  Precincts,  in  the  said 
County,  and  shall  be  liable  to  the  same  Pains  and  Penalties, 
any  thing  in  this  or  any  other  Act,  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing. 

"11.  And  be  it  enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid.  That  the 
Justices  and  Overseers  of  the  Poor  shall  as  soon  as  possible  after 
the  Division  of  the  said  Precincts,  call  together  all  the  Poor  of 
the  said  Precincts  and  make  an  equal  Distribution  of  them  as 
is  possible  in  the  said  Precincts,  to  be  for  the  future  maintained 
by,  and  reside  in  the  Precinct  they  shall  be  allotted  to:  and  that 
all  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  that  shall  or  may  be  due  by  the 
said  Precinct  at  the  Division  thereof,  for  the  Maintainance  of 
the  Poor  shall  be  levied  proportionally  on  each  of  the  respec- 
tive Precincts  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Supervisors  and 
Assessors. 

"III.  And  be  it  enacted,  Thatf  the  Inhabitants  of  Fredericks- 
burg Precinct  shall  annually  meet  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April, 
for  the  election  of  officers  for  said  Precinct,  at  the  house  of 
Thomas  Smith  in  Fredricksburg;  and  that  Ihe  Inhabitants  of 
Philipse  Precinct  shall  meet  on  the  same  day,  for  the  like  pur- 
pose at  the  house  of  John  Compton  in  Philipse  Precinct:  and 
that  the  Inhabitants  of  the  South  East  Precinct  shall  meet  on 
the  same  day  for  the  like  purpose  at  the  dwelling  of  John  Ryder, 
in  the  said  Precinct. 

"  IV.  And  be  it  enacted,  That  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for 
the  Inhabitants  of  each  of  the  aforesaid  Precincts,  at  any  of 
their  annual  meetings  for  electing  officers  as  aforesaid,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  voices  of  the  Inhabitants  so  met,  to  appoint  any  other 
certain  place  for  the  next  election:  which  shall  continue  to  be 
the  place  of  Election  till  another  appointment  be  made  in  the 
same  manner. 

"V.  And  be  it  enacted  by  the  Auihority  aforesaid  that  the 
Inhabitants  of  Philipse  and  Fredricksburg  Precincts  having 
personal  estate  to  the  value  of  sixty  pounds,  free  from  all  in- 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  153 

cumbrance,  shall  be,  and  hereby  are  made  liable  to  serve  as  jur- 
ors, on  the  trial  of  Cases  in  Justices  Courts  in  the  said  Precincts 
of  Philipse  and  Fredricksburg  anything  in  the  aforesaid  Act  to 
the  Contrary  notwithstanding." 

The  records  of  these  precincts  are  very  scanty,  and  almost 
the  only  thing  remaining  is  the  book  of  accounts  kept  by  the 
overseers  of  the  poor,  which  has  lately  been  found  and  placed 
in  the  county  clerk's  office.  As  this  contains  the  only  account 
of  any  official  proceedings  in  the  days  before  the  Revolution,  a 
few  extracts  may  be  of  interest.  They  carry  us  back  to  a  time 
when  the  population  was  small,  and  life  in  its  primitive  sim- 
plicity; to  days  when  each  family  was  supported  by  its  own 
labor,  when  the  rooky  farm  supplied  the  few  wants  of  its  owner, 
and  when  the  "homespun"  clothed  the  entire  community. 

"  Dec.  the  27th,  1768.  Personally  appeared  before  us  James 
Dickenson  Samuel  Peters  and  John  Ryder  Esqsrs.  Justices  of 
the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Dutchess,  Tertullus  Dickenson 
Malcom  Morrison  and  Peter  Drake,  poor  masters  of  the  South 
Precinct  of  sd  County,  and  paid  out  under  our  Inspector  all  the 
money  that  they  have  received  for  the  use  of  the  poor  for  two 
years  past,  which  was  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  eight 
Pounds. 

"James  Dickenson, 
"  Samuel  Peters, 
"John  Ryder." 

On  the  7th  of  May,  1770,  we  find  the  following: 

"  The  Poor  of  the  South  Precinct  are  this  day  put  out  as  doth 
appear  under  written,  until  7th  of  May,  1771.  Allowed  to  Jere- 
miah Burgess  for  keeping  David  Austin,  £12;  allowed  to  Mrs. 
Sileven  for  keeping  her  husband,  8,19;  allowed  to  John  Rhodes 
for  keeping  his  sister,  5,00;  allowed  John  Brewer  for  keeping 
Martha  Mead,  8,18;  allowed  Elijah  Colkins  keeping  Joseph 
Barber's  daughter,  11,18;  allowed  to  pay  the  rent  of  Gideon 
Ellis'  farm  the  ensueing  year,  2,00;  and  also  the  rent  of  James 
Prown's  farm,  2,00;  allowed  to  Francis  Baker  for  taking 
care  of  a  poor  child  to  date,  2,16;  allowed  to  John  Ryder  Esq. 
.for  taking  care  and  keeping  Abigail  and  Levina  Discomb, 
twenty  three  pounds  and  he  promises  to  save  the  Precinct 
harmless,  from  any  further  charge  that  may  happen  by  said 
children  until  they  arrive  to  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  The  said 
children  are  allowed  to  be  three  years  old. 


154  HISTOKT   OF  PUTNAM   COUJ^TY. 

"Whereas  Mary  Golden  and  her  three  children  were  lately- 
Removed  by  an  order  of  Thos.  Menzies  and  Malcom  Morrison 
to  the  Manor  of  Philipsburg  from  the  South  Precinct  and 
whereas  the  said  Mary  Golden  and  her  children  are  sent  back 
by  order  of  two  Justices  of  Westchester  County.  Resolved 
that  advice  shall  be  taken,  and  the  order  of  the  said  Justices  of 
Westchester  County  be  disputed,  and  that  the  three  Precincts 
of  Fredericksburg,  South  East  and  Philipse  shall  bear  their 
proportionable  expense,  and  that  Thos.  Menzies  shall  apply  to 
the  King's  Attorney,  for  his  advice,  and  do  whatever  is  neces- 
sary in  consequence  of  his  advice.  Tlie  children  to  continue 
where  they  are  until  the  matter  is  decided,  May  7th,  1772." 

At  the  time  when  the  South  Precinct  was  divided  into  the 
three  Precincts  of  Fredericksburg,  Philipse  and  South  East,  the 
following  division  of  the  poor  was  made: 

"'  It  is  this  day  agreed  by  the  Justices  and  Overseers  of  the 
Poor,  that  the  Poor  of  the  late  South  Precinct  be,  from  and 
after  this  day  maintained  and  provided  for  in  the  following 
manner,  to  wit,  The  South  East  Precinct  to  take  William  Gray 
and  his  wife,  Fredericksburg  Precinct  paying  to  the  South  East 
Precinct  five  pounds  yearly,  as  long  as  said  Wm.  Gray  and  wife 
shall  live. 

"Fredericksburg  Precinct  to  take  David  Ashton,  John 
Sullivan,  Martha  Mead,  Joseph  Barber,  the  children  of  Gilbert 
Clapp,  Rachel  Hughs,  John  Carr  and  Samuel  Goodspeed. 

"  Philipse  Precinct  to  take  the  widow  Farrington  and  John. 
Rhodes'  sister.  If  any  mistake  or  omission  hereafter  appear  it 
is  hereby  agreed  that  all  Errors  shall  be  Rectified.  John  Dufif's 
children  to  be  removed,  the  charges  of  removal  and  whatever 
charges  may  accrue  from  said  removal  to  be  proportionately  de- 
frayed by  the  said  three  Precincts." 

The  Bible  says,  "The  poor  ye  have  always  with  you,"  but  it 
would  seem  by  the  above  list  that  Putnam  county,  as  it  then 
was,  had  very  few  of  that  class.  The  certificate  attached  to  the 
foregoing  arrangement  is  given  iufac  simile.  It  is  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Beverly  Robinson,  doubtless  the  most  prominent  man 
of  the  precinct  in  those  days. 

"Oct.  12th,  1773.  Agreed  with  Samuel  Peters,  Esq.,  that  he 
is  to  build  a  log  house  twenty  five  feet  long,  and  18  feet  wide, 
with  a  stone  chimney  at  each  end,  and  the  sd  house  is  to  be 


/"^^-^^^c^Z^' 


e^ 


^r7^^>l^ 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  155 

finished  the  16th,  day  of  May  next  &  sd  Peters  is  to  have  Thirty 
Pounds  for  building  said  house." 

The  following  account  shows  the  prices  of  things  in  1775: 

"Samuel  Peters,  Esq.  for  supplying  the  poor  House  with 
grain  a  year  ending  this  day  viz.  May  6th,  1775:  14J  bushels 
Corn  at  3s.  6d.,  £2,10,9;  11  bushels  Rye  at  4s.,  2,04,0;  2i 
bushels  wheat  at  6s.,  0,15,0;  21^  lbs.  veal  at  3d.,  0,05,4^ ;  a  bed- 
stead, 0,04,4;  1  cwt.  Pork,  1,10,0.     Total,  £7,09,5i" 

In  1778,  the  following  prices  were  current:  Pork  per  lb.,  4d. ; 
Bacon  per  lb.,  8d.;  Mutton,  3d.;  Beef,  3d.;  Salt  per  bushel, 
16s. ;  Tow  cloth  per  yard.  Is.  5d. ;  Candles  per  lb,  4d. 

The  issue  of  Continental  money  caused  an  inflation  of  prices, 
as  in  more  modern  times.  1778,  Dec.  22d.  Allowed  to  :  "  Elihu 
Secord  for  one  barrel  Sope,  £12;  to  6  lbs.  candles,  2,08;  two 
bushel  of  corn,  2,08;  25  lbs.  salt  pork,  5;  to  four  bushels  of 
Turnips,  1,12;  To  four  bushels  of  Tators  (potatoes),  2,08;  mak- 
ing up  clothing,  7,12;  one  pair  of  shoes,  1,4;  to  keeping  Sarah 
Adkins  one  week,  finding  her  victuals,  1,04." 

A  yoke  of  oxen  sold  to  Elihu  Secor  were  valued  at  £80.  The 
rapid  changes  in  prices  were  arranged  for  as  in  the  following, 
and  thus  marks  the  depreciation  of  Continental  money: 

"Dec.  24th,  1778.  To  Esq.  Peters  for  ]05  lbs.  Pork,  £1,17,8. 
The  price  of  the  above  Article  is  to  be  paid  what  is  current  for 
said  article  when  said  Peters  receives  his  money." 

"April  27th,  1779,  1  bushel  of  wheat,  £3,04." 

"Allowed  to  Joseph  Teed  April  3,  1779  for  the  use  of  one 
cow,  16.  To  16J  bushels  of  wheat,  12  bushels  of  Rye  and  2 
bushels  of  corn,  155,08.  Price  of  said  grain  to  be  paid  what  is 
current  when  said  Teed  receives  his  money." 

"  May  7  1779  To  a  cow,  £100." 

"May  13  1779  The  Precinct  Dr.  to  Elijah  Townsend,  £100. 
The  above  account  was  settled  when  money  was  eight  to  one, 
which  is  to  be  paid  at  that  rate." 

OITICEES    OF   THE   PRECINCTS. 

The  following  ofiicers  were  elected  (after  the  formation  of  the 
Precincts  in  1772)  for  Philipse  Precinct  and  Fredericksburg. 
The  ofiicers  elected  for  the  South  East  Precinct  do  not  appear 
for  that  year  on  the  Records  in  Poughkeepsie. 

Philipse  Precinct :  Supervisor,  Beverly  Robinson;  assessors, 
Caleb  Nelson,    Joseph  Lane;    collector,   William  Dusenbury; 


156  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

constables,  Israel  Taylor,  Isaac  Davenport;  poor  masters, 
Justus  Nelson.  Cornelius  Tompkins.  Fredericksburg:  Super- 
visor, Tertullus  Dickenson;  assessors,  Henry  Luddington, 
James  Dickenson;  collector,  Edward  Rice;  constables,  Wm. 
Underbill,  Wm.  Nelson,  Elijah  Townsend,  Edward  Rice;  poor 
masters,  Jehiel  Bazely,  James  Dickenson. 

The  first  election  of  commissioners  of  highways  was  in  1773, 
when  the  following  were  chosen:  Philipse  Precinct:  Justus 
Nelson,  Moses  Dusenbury,  Isaac  Rhodes;  Fredericksburg: 
James  Dickenson,  Jehiel  Beardsley,  James  Dickenson,  Jr.; 
South  East:  Thomas  Baldwin,  Owen  Hull,  Seth  Nickerson. 

Pound  masters  first  appeared  in  1774,  when  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing occupants  of  that  important  office:  Cornelius  Tompkins, 
John  Oakley,  Joseph  Haight,  Caleb  Nelson. 

Supervisors  of  Philipse  Precinct:  Moses  Dusenbury,  1773; 
Beverly  Robinson,  1774;  Joshixa  Nelson,  1775;  George  Lane, 
1786;  John  Hyatt,  1787.  Of  Fredericksburg,  Tertullus  Dick- 
enson, 1773-76;  Henry  Luddington,  1777,  1778;  Reuben  Ferris, 
1779-84;  John  Drake,  1786;  Reuben  Ferris,  1787.  Of  South 
East:  Joseph  Crane,  jr.,  1773;  John  Field,  1774-76;  Joseph 
Crane,  1778;  William  Mott,  1779,  1780;  Isaac  Crosby,  1782-84; 
Joseph  Crane,  1787. 

Assessors  of  Philipse  Precinct:  Joseph  Lane,  1772;  William 
Dusenbury,  Caleb  Nelson,  1773;  Joshua  Nelson,  William  Dusen- 
bury, 1774;  Cornelius  Tompkins,  Joshua  Nelson,  1775;  John 
Armstrong,  Morris  Smith,  Titus  Travis,  Joshua  Horton,  Isaac 
Davenport,  1786.  Of  Fredericksburg:  Henry  Luddington, 
James  Dickenson,  1772;  Jabez  Berry,  William  Penney,  1773; 
Jabez  Berry,  David  Crosby,  1774-76;  Roswell  Wilcox,  Reuben 
Crosby,  1778;  Alexander  Kidd,  Jonathan  Paddock,  Heman 
King,  Elijah  Townsend,  Elisha  Cole,  James  Wilson,  Jabez  Berry, 
1779;  David  Hecock,  Nehemiah  Jones,  Moody  Howes,  Ebenezer 
Robinson,  Elijah  Townsend,  Solomon  Hopkins,  Jabez  Berry, 
1780;  David  Hecock,  Stephen  Field,  Jabez  Berry,  1782;  Roswell 
Wilcox,  William  Penney,  Timothy  Delavan,  David  Cole, 
Elijah  Townsend,  John  Berry,  1783;  Roswell  Wilcox, 
William  Penney,  Moody  Howes,  Solomon  Hopkins,  Elijah 
Townsend,  John  Berry,  1784;  Jabez  Berry,  David  Crosby, 
jr.,  Roswell  Wilcox,  1786.  Of  South  East:  John  Field,  Samuel 
Berry,  1773;  Robert  Hall,  James  Birdsall,  1774;  Peter  Hall, 
Daniel  Haviland,  1775;  William  Mott,   Nathan  Birdsall,    1776, 


GENERAL   HISTOKY.  157 

William  Mott,  Thomas  Baldwin,  N  athan  Birdsall,  1778;  Thomas- 
Baldwin,  Simeon  Ryder,  1779;  Thomas  Baldwin,  Thomas  Hig- 
gins,  Nathan  Birdsall,  1782;  Thomas  Baldwin,  Thomas  Higgins,^ 
John  Elwell,  1783;  Thomas  Baldwin,  Joseph  Crane,  jr.,  John 
Elwell,  1784;  Joseph  Crosby,  jr.,  Thomas Higgins,  Nathan  Pad- 
dock, 1785;  Thomas  Baldwin,  John  Hopkins,  Thomas  Higgins, 
1786. 

FOEMATION   OF  TOWNS. 

After  the  Revolution  and  upon  the  adoption  of  the  State  Con- 
stitution, an  act  was  passed  for  dividing  the  State  into  counties. 
This  act  established  Dutchess  county  according  to  its  ancient 
boundaries  except  as  to  its  northern  limits,  which  extended 
only  to  the  south  bounds  of  the  Manor  of  Livingston.  March 
7th,  1780,  an  act  was  also  passed  for  dividing  the  counties  of  the 
State  into  towns,  in  which  are  the  following  provisions: 

"And  all  that  part  of  the  County  of  Dutchess,  bounded 
Southerly  by  the  County  of  Westchester,  Westerly  by  Hud- 
son's river,  Northerly  by  the  north  Bounds  of  the  lands  granted 
to  Adolph  PhilipseEsq.,  and  Easterly  by  the  East  bounds  of  the 
Long  Lot  No.  4,  formerly  belonging  to  Beverly  Robinson:  shall 
be,  and  hereby  is  erected  into  a  Town  by  the  name  of  Philips- 
town.  ' ' 

"  And  all  that  part  of  the  said  County  of  Dutchess,  bounded 
Southerly  by  the  County  of  Westchester,  Westerly  by  Philips- 
town,  Northerly  by  the  north  bounds  of  the  lands  granted  to 
Adolph  Philipse  Esq.,  and  Easterly  by  the  East  bounds  of  the 
same  Patent:  shall  be,  and  hereby  is  erected  into  a  Town  by  the 
name  of  Fredericks  Town." 

"  And  all  that  part  of  the  said  County  of  Qutchess,  bounded 
Southerly  by  the  County  of  Westchester,  Westerly  by  Fred- 
ericks Town,  Northerly  by  the  northern  line  of  Fredericks 
Town  continued  to  Connecticut,  and  Easterly  by  Connecticut: 
shall  be,  and  hereby  is  erected  into  a  Town  by  the  name  of 
Southeast  Town." 

The  history  of  these  towns  and  their  subsequent  changes,  will 
be  given  in  separate  chapters,  but  as  the  town  of  Fredericks  was 
a  few  years  later  divided,  the  list  of  town  officers  up  to  the  time 
of  its  division  is  here  given.  At  the  first  election  in  1788,  the  fol- 
lowing officers  were  elected:  Supervisor,  Reuben  Ferris;  town 
clerk,  John  Sickly;   assessors,  Samuel  Towner,  David  Crosby, 


158  HISTORY   OF   PCrTNAM   COUNTY. 

jr.,  Benjamin  Crosby,  David  Cole;  collector,  Timothy  Carver; 
constables,  Archibald  Luddington,  Matthew  Beale,  Jesse  Smith, 
Timothy  Carver;  overseers  of  poor,  Samuel  Towner,  Theodoras 
Crosby,  Benjamin  Crosby. 

The  last  change  that  was  made  in  the  towns  previous  'to  the 
establishment  of  Pntnam  county  v^as  the  following  act,  passed 
March  14th,  1806: 

'•An  Act  to  annex  a  part  of  the  town  of  Philips  to  the  town 
of  Fishkill  in  Dutchess  County." 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly.  That  from,  and  after, 
the  passing  of  this  act,  all  such  part  of  the  town  of  Philips  as 
lies  north  and  west  of  a  line  beginning  by  the  north  river  at 
the  South  westermost  end  of  Break  neck  hill,  running  from 
thence  North  fifty  two  degrees  east  to  the  division  line  between 
the  same  towns  is  hereby  annexed  to  the  town  of  Fishkill,  any 
law  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding." 

li  is  this  change  that  caused  the  northwest  corner  of  Putnam 
county  to  appear  to  be  cut  off,  as  it  really  is. 

Reuben  Ferris  was  re-elected  to  the  office  of  supervisor  of 
Frederickstown  till  1795,  the  year  of  the  division. 

The  assessors  in  1789  were  Samuel  Towner,  David  Crosby  jr., 
Jabez  Berry,  Solomon  Hopkins;  in  1790,  Jacob  Nelson,  David 
Crosby  jr.,  Jabez  Berry,  Solomon  Hopkins;  in  1791,  David 
Cole,  Thatcher  Hopkins,  Samuel  Towner. 

The  disproportion,  in  the  geographical  extent  of  Fredericks- 
town  and  Southeast,  was  so  apparent  and  the  inconveniences 
arising  from  it  were  so  manifest,  that  the  proposal  to  divide 
these  towns  met  with  great  favor,  and  in  accordance  with  this 

general  desire  the  Legislature,  in  1795,  passed  the  following 
Act: 

"■  An  Act  to  divide  Frederickstown  and,  Southeast  town  in 
Dutchess  county,  into  four  towns. 

Passed  17th  of  March,  1795. 

"Be  it  enacted  hy  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  That  all  that  part  of 
Frederickstown,  lying  west  of  the  east  line  of  Philips' s  long  lot, 
and  south  of  a  line  to  begin  at  a  point  in  the  west  bounds  of 
Frederickstown,  six  miles  from  the  north  bounds  of  the  county 
of  Westchester,  and  running  north  eighty-seven  degrees,  and 
thirty  minutes  east  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  shall  be  erected 


GENERAL   HISTOEY.  159 

into  a  separate  town,  by  the  name  of  Carmel,  and  the  tirst  town 
meeting  in  the  said  town  of  Carmel,  shall  be  held  at  the  dwelling 
house  of  John  Crane,  Esquire,  in  said  town.  That  all  those 
parts  of  Fredericks  town  and  Southeast  town,  lying  east  of  the 
said  east  line,  of  Philips' s  long  lot,  and  south  of  the  above 
mentioned  line,  beginning  at  a  point  in  the  west  bounds  of  said 
Frederickstown,  six  miles  from  the  north  bounds  of  the 
county  of  Westchester,  and  running  north  eighty  seven  degrees 
and  thirty  minutes  east,  and  continued  to  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, shall  be  erected  into  a  separate  town,  by  the  name  of 
Southeast,  and  the  first  town  meeting  in  the  said  town  of  South- 
east shall  be  held  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Zalman  Sanford  in 
the  said  town,  that  all  those  parts  of  Fredericks  Town  and 
South-East  town,  lying  east  of  the  said  east  line  of  Philips' s 
long  lot,  and  north  of  the  above  mentioned  line,  beginning  at  a 
point  in  the  west  bounds  of  said  Fredericks-town,  six  miles 
from  the  north  bounds  of  the  county  of  West- Chester,  and  run- 
ning north  eighty- seven  degrees,  and  thirty  minutes  east,  and 
continued  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  shall  be  erected  into  a 
separate  town,  by  the  name  of  Franklin,  and  the  first  town 
meeting  in  the  said  town  of  Franklin,  shall  be  held  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  James  Philips,  in  the  said  town,  and  that  all 
the  remaining  part  of  Fredericks- town,  shall  remain  and  con- 
tinue a  separate  town,  by  the  name  of  Frederick,  and  the  first 
town  meeting  in  the  said  town  of  Frederic,  shall  be  held  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  the  widow  Boyd,  in  the  said  town. 

' '  And  he  it  further  enacted^  That  the  towns  herein  before 
mentioned  to  be  divided,  shall  be  considered  as  divided  from 
and  after  the  first  Monday  in  April  next,  and  that  the  free- 
holders and  inhabitants  of  the  said  towns,  respectively  shall  be, 
and  hereby  are  empowered  to  hold  town  meetings  and  elect 
such  town  officers  as  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  the 
other  towns  of  this  State,  elect  by  a  law  entitled,  '  An  act  for 
dividing  the  counties  of  this  State  into  towns,  passed  7th  March 
1788,'  and  that  the  town  officers  to  be  by  them  elected,  shall 
have  the  like  powers  and  privileges,  as  the  freeholders  and  in- 
habitants, and  town  officers  of  any  other  town  in  this  State,  may 
exercise  by  the  law  aforesaid. 

' '  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  as  soon  as  may  be  after  the 
first  Tuesday  in  April  next,  the  supervisors  and  overseers  of 
the  poor  of  the  towns  aforesaid,  shall  by  notice  to  be  given  for 


160  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

that  purpose  by  the  supervisors  of  the  towns  aforesaid,  meet 
together  and  apportion  the  poor  maintained  by  the  said  towns 
previous  to  the  division  thereof,  between  the  said  former  towns- 
and  the  towns  erected  by  this  act  into  separate  towns  in  an 
equitable  manner;  and  if  the  supervisors  and  overseers  of  the 
poor  cannot  agree  upon  such  division  of  the  poor  as  afore- 
said, then  and  in  such  case  the  supervisors  of  the  county,  shall 
at  their  next  meeting,  apportion  and  divide  the  poor  maintained 
as  aforesaid,  in  such  manner  as  shall  appear  to  them  most  Just 
and  equitable,  and  the  said  towns  shall  thereafter  respectively^ 
maintain  their  own  poor." 


CHAPTER  XII. 


ESTABLISHMENT  OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY;  COUNTY  INSTITU- 
TIONS AND  COUNTY  OFFICERS. 


REVISED   BY   HON.    EDWARD  WRIGHT. 


IN  March,  1807,  a  bill  was  introduced  into  the  Legislature  to 
divide  Dutchess  county.  This  bill  passed  the  Senate  by  a 
vote  of  16  to  13,  but  was  lost  in  the  Assembly  by  a  vote  of  48 
to  47.  In  a  motion  to  reconsider,  the  vote  stood  49  to  49,  and 
the  speaker  voting  in  the  negative,  the  motion  was  lost. 

In  the  Journals  of  the  Legislature,  of  1812,  is  the  following: 
"  Monday,  March  9th.  The  petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  of 
the  Southern  part  of  Dutchess  County  comprised  in  the  towns 
of  Philipstown,  Carmel,  Frederick,  Southeast  and  Patterson, 
praying  for  a  division  of  the  County,  and  the  erection  of  the 
southern  part  thereof  into  a  new  county:  was  read  and  referred 
to  a  select  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Comstock,  Mr.  Crosby, 
Mr.  Trowbridge,  Mr.  Darrow  and  Mr.  Stanly." 

"March  15th,  Mr.  Taylor  then  made  a  motion  that  jjursuant 
to  the  order  of  the  day,  the  house  should  resolve  itself  into  a 
committee  of  the  whole  on  the  bill  entitled,  '  An  Act  to  divide 
the  County  of  Dutchess.' 

"Mr.  Radcliff  then  made  a  motion  that  the  house  should 
agree  to  a  resolution  with  a  recital  which  was  read  in  the  words 
following,  to  wit.  Whereas  it  is  reported  to  this  house  by  a 
member  thereof  from  the  County  of  Dutchess,  that  the  names 
of  several  persons  appearing  upon  the  petition  heretofore  pre- 
sented, for  the  division  of  the  County  of  Dutchess,  have  been 
subscribed  thereto  without  their  knowledge  or  consent,  which 
fact  is  also  verified  by  affidavit.  Resolved  that  the  further  con- 
sideration of  the  bill  for  dividing  the  Cotinty  of  Dutchess,  be 
postponed  till  next  Session  to  the  end  that  in  the  mean  time 
11 


162  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

due  inquiry  be  made  into  the  truth  of  said  allegation  and  meas- 
ures be  taken  respecting  the  same."  "The  Yeas  and  Nays 
being  called  for  by  Mr.  Jones,  seconded  by  Mr.  Bryan,  were  as 
follows:  Nays  56,  Afl.  42."  "Thereupon  the  house  resolved 
itself  into  a  committee  of  the  whole,  and  after  some  time  spent 
thereon,  Progress  was  reported,  and  leave  asked  for,  and 
granted,  to  sit  again." 

"  May  25th,  The  house  then  resolved  itself  into  a  committee 
of  the  whole  on  the  bill  to  divide  Dutchess  County.  That  all 
that  part  of  the  County  of  Dutchess  included  in  the  towns  of 
Philipstown,  Carmel,  Frederick,  Patterson  and  Southeast, 
bounded  on  the  east  by  Connecticut,  on  the  south  by  West- 
chester County,  on  the  west  by  Hudson  river,  and  on  the  north 
by  the  towns  of  Fishkill  and  Pawling,  shall  be,  one  separate 
and  distinct  County,  and  shall  be  called  and  known  by  the  name 
of  ."     "Passed,  Yeas  58,  Nays  38."     "Ordered 

that  the  committee  of  the  whole  be  discharged  from  the  con- 
sideration of  the  last  mentioned  bill,  and  that  it  be  referred  to 
a  select  committee  consisting  of  Mr.  Taylor,  Mr.  Van  Rensalaer 
and  Mr.  Weeks,  to  report  the  same  complete." 

"  May  29th,  the  engrossed  bill,  an  'Act  to  divide  the  County 
of  Dutchess '  read  the  third  time.  Mr.  Speaker  put  the  ques- 
tion, carried,  Yeas  62,  Nays  34." 

"  An  ACT  to  divide  the  County  of  Dutchess. 

"  Passed  June  12,  1812. 

"I.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly,  That  all  that  part  of  the 
county  of  Dutchess  included  in  the  towns  of  Philipstown,  Car- 
mel, Frederick,  Patterson  and  Southeast,  bounded  on  the  east 
by  Connecticut,  on  the  south  by  Westchester  county,  on  the 
west  by  Hudson's  river,  and  on  the  north  by  the  towns  of  Fish- 
kill  and  Pawling,  shall  be  one  separate  and  distinct  county, 
and  shall  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Putnam. 

"  II.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  there  shall  be  held  in 
and  for  the  said  county  of  Putnam  a  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
and  a  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  and  that  there  shall 
be  two  terms  of  the  same  courts  in  the  same  county  in  every 
year,  to  commence  as  follows,  to  wit:  The  first  term  of  the  said 
court  shall  begin  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  October,  and  the 
second  term  shall  begin  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  April,  and 


GENEEAL   HISTORY.  163 

may  continue  to  be  held  until  the  Saturday  following,  inclusive; 
and  the  said  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  General  Sessions  of  the 
Peace  shall  have  the  same  jurisdiction,  powers  and  authority, 
in  the  said  county,  as  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  General 
Sessions  of  the  Peace  in  the  other  counties  of  this  State  have  in 
their  respective  counties:  Provided,  That  nothing  in  this  act 
contained  shall  be  construed  to  affect  any  suit  or  action,  in  any 
court  whatever,  already  commenced  before  the  last  Monday  in 
June,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twelve,  so  as 
to  work  a  wrong  or  prejudice  to  any  of  the  parties  therein,  or 
to  affect  any  criminal  or  other  proceedings  on  the  part  of  the 
people  of  this  state,  but  all  such  civil  and  criminal  proceedings 
shall  and  may  be  prosecuted  to  trial,  judgment  and  execution, 
as  if  this  act  had  not  been  passed. 

"III.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  Courts  of 
Common  Pleas  and  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  in  the  said 
county  of  Putnam,  shall  be  holden  at  the  Baptist  meeting 
house,  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  until  a  court  house  shall  have 
been  built  as  herein  after  directed  and  provided,  after  which 
time  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  said  courts  to  adjourn 
to  the  said  court  house,  and  thereafter  continue  to  hold  the 
terms  of  the  said  courts  at  the  said  court  house,  and  no  action 
or  prosecution  depending  in  the  said  courts  shall  be  abated,  dis- 
continued or  in  any  wise  prejudiced  in  law  by  such  adjourn- 
ment. 

"IV.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  that  the  freeholders  and  in- 
habitants of  the  said  county  hereby  erected,  shall  have  and  en- 
joy all  and  every  the  same  rights,  powers  and  privileges,  as  the 
freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  any  other  county  in  this  state 
are  by  law  entitled  to  have  and  enjoy. 

"V.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  said  county  of  Put- 
nam shall  be  entitled  to  elect  one  member  of  Assembly,  and 
the  county  of  Dutchess  shall  be  entitled  to  elect  five  members 
of  Assembly,  in  the  same  manner  as  other  counties  in  this  state 
are  by  law  entitled. 

"VI.  And  be  it  further  enacted;  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  supervisors  of  the  said  counties  of  Dutchess  and  Putnam  to 
•meet  together  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  October  in  the  year  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  twelve,  at  the  village  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  and  adjust  all  accounts,  and  apportion  all  the  monies 
in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  of  the  said  county  of  Dutchess,  as 


164  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

to  them,  or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  appear  just  and  equit- 
able. 

"  VII.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  supervisors  in  the 
several  towns  in  the  county  of  Putnam,  for  the  time  being,  or 
a  majority  of  them,  shall  be  and  they  are  hereby  authorized 
and  required  to  direct  to  be  raised  and  levied  on  the  freeholders 
and  inhabitants  of  the  said  county,  a  sum  not  exceeding  six 
thousand  dollars  for  building  a  court  house  and  gaol  in  said 
county,  with  the  additional  sum  of  three  cents  on  each  dollar 
for  collecting  the  same  which  sums  shall  be  raised  at  such  times 
levied  and  collected,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other  necessary 
and  contingent  charges  of  the  county  are  levied  and  collected. 

"VIII.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  Joseph  Crane, 
Stephen  Barnum,  Joel  Frost,  Jonathan  Ferris  and  John  Jewitt, 
are  hereby  appointed  commissioners  to  fix  on  the  site  of  a  court 
house  and  gaol  in  said  county  of  Putnam,  and  to  superintend 
the  building  thereof;  and  the  said  commissioners,  or  a  majority 
of  them,  may  contract  with  workmen,  and  purchase  materials 
for  erecting  said  court  house  and  gaol,  and  shall,  from  time  to 
time,  draw  upon  the  treasurer  of  the  said  county  for  such  sums 
of  money,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  as  shall  come  into  the 
treasury  by  virtue  of  this  act;  and  the  treasurer  is  hereby  re- 
quired, out  of  the  monies  aforesaid,  to  pay  to  the  order  of  the 
said  commissioners  the  several  sums  of  money  to  be  by  them 
drawn  for,  and  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  the  said  commis- 
sioners to  account  with  the  supervisors  of  the  said  cou  nty.  for 
the  monies  which  they  shall  have  received  from  the  'treasury, 
when  thereunto  required. 

"IX.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  and  may  be 
lawful  for  all  courts,  and  officers  of  the  said  county  of  Putnam, 
in  all  cases  criminal  and  civil,  to  confine  their  prisoners  in  the 
gaol  of  the  county  of  Dutchess,  until  a  gaol  shall  be  erected  and 
finished,  in  the  manner  hereafter  mentioned,  in  the  said  county 
of  Putnam. 

"  X.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  building  to  be 
erected  for  a  gaol  at  the  place  which  shall  be  designated  as 
aforesaid,  shall  be  the  gaol  of  the  said  county  of  Putnam;  and 
as  soon  as  the  same  shall  be  completed  in  such  manner  as,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  sheriff  of  the  county,  is  sufficient  to  confine 
his  prisoners,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  such  sheriff  to 
remove  his  prisoners,  either  upon  civil  or  criminal  process,  to 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  165 

such  a  gaol,  and  confine  them  therein,  and  such  removal  shall 
not  be  deemed  an  escape  in  such  sheriff. 

"XI.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
the  treasurer  of  said  county  of  Putnam  to  retain  in  his  hands 
one  cent  on  each  dollar  for  his  trouble  in  receiving  and  paying 
out  the  monies  directed  to  be  raised  in  the  said  county  by  this 
act." 

On  the  7th  of  September,  1812,  Dr.  Robert  Weeks,  who  was 
a  member  of  the  Legislature  when  the  act  was  passed,  sold  to 
the  supervisors  of  the  county  of  Putnam,  "  all  that  certain  lot 
of  land  situated  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  bounded  as  follows: 
Beginning  at  a  poplar  tree  marked  P.  standing  on  the  east  side 
of  the  highway,  thence  south  five  degrees  east,  two  chains; 
thence  north  eighty  five  degrees*  east,  two  chains,  fifty  links; 
thence  north,  five  degrees  west  two  chains,  thence  to  the  place 
of  beginning,  containing  one  half  acre,  for  the  purpose  of  erect  ■ 
ing  thereon  a  Court  House  and  Graol  for  the  county  of  Putnam, 
and  such  other  buildings  as  shall  be  necessary  for  the  con- 
venience and  accommodation  of  said  county  and  no  others." 

The  Court  House  was  built  in  1814,  the  first  court  being  held 
in  it  February  15th,  1815.  Previous  to  that  they  were  held  in 
the  Baptist  meeting  house.  Tn  1842,  an  act  was  passed  by  the 
Legislature,  authorizing  the  county  officers  to  sell  the  Court 
House  and  grounds,  as  a  change  of  site  was  strongly  urged, 
one  party  being  in  favor  of  moving  the  county  seat  to  Cold 
Spring,  while  another  favored  a  new  site  near  the  south  end 
of  the  village  of  Carmel.  When  it  was  found  that  the  deed  did 
not  permit  the  erection  of  any  other  than  county  buildings,  the 
subject  was  dropped  and  never  afterward  agitated.  The  Court 
House  was  repaired  and  improved  about  1840,  at  which  time  the 
present  portico  and  pillars  and  the  belfry  were  added.  The 
jail  was  a  very  small  stone  building  standing  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  Court  House.  The  Court  House  was  again 
repaired  and  enlarged  in  1855,  and  the  present  jail  was  then 
built.  The  first  county  clerk's  office  was  a  small  one  story 
building,  nearly  square,  built  of  brick,  with  a  slate  roof  and  a 
marble  floor.  This  was  built  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  passed 
April  17th,  1822,  "authorizing  the  building  of  a  fire-proof 
Clerk's  office  in  the  County  of  Putnam,"  by  which  the  super- 
visors were  to  appoint  three  commissioners  to  build  the  office, 
and  the  sum  of  $750  was  to  be  raised  by  tax  to  pay  for  the  same. 


166 


HISTORY   OF  l-iiTNAM   COUNTY. 


Before  that  time  the  ofBce  of  the  county  clerk  was  wher- 
ever he  resided.  The  present  county  clerk's  office  was 
built  in  1871,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  by  which  Saxton  Smith,  Charles  W.  Budd,  and 
Sylvester  Mabie  were  appointed  "  a  building  committee  to  cause 
to  be  erected  a  fire-proof  building  on  or  near  the  site  of  the 
present  Clerk's  office,  with  sufficient  accommodations  for  the 
county  clerk's  and  suri'ogate's  offices,"  and  they  weve  authorized 
to  borrow  $10,000  for  that  purpose.  The  committee  reported 
on    December    20th,   1871,    that    they    had    contracted    with 


COUKT  HOUSE  AND  COUNTY  CLERK'S  OFFICE. 


Thaddeus  R.  Ganung  for  the  erection  of  the  building  and  that 
the  contract  had  been  fulfilled  and  that  they  had  given  him 
ten  bonds  of  the  county  for  $1,000  each  in  payment.  The 
stone  was  taken  from  a  quarry  north  of  Lake  Gilead.  Some 
of  the  stone  which  was  originally  cut  for  the  proposed  Drew 
Seminary  vras  used  in  the  building. 

•  The  civilization  and  enlightenment  of  the  present  age,  is  shown 
by  nothing  more  plainly  than  by  the  care  and  attention  that  are 
now  bestowed  upon  the  unfortunate  persons  who  are  de- 
pendent on  public  charity.     During  the  times  of    the   "  Pre- 


GENEEAL   HISTORY.  167 

cincts,"  and  up  to  the  year  1830,  the  poor  were  supported  by 
the  barbarous  practice  of  "  farming  out,"  by  which  they  were 
sold  to  the  lowest  bidder  and  their  style  of  support  corresponded 
to  the  small  sums  received  for  their  maintenance.  In  1830,  the 
superintendents  of  the  poor  purchased  from  Warren  Townsend 
three  acres  of  land  in  the  town  of  Kent,  bounded  east  by  the 
west  line  of  Philipse  Long  Lot  No.  6,  south  and  west  by  the 
brook,  and  north  by  Ferris  Brown;  and  another  piece  of  106 
acres  east  of  the  same;  and  also  another  piece  of  27  acres  on  the 
east  side  of  the  highway.  They  also  bought  50  acres  of  Abra- 
ham Hopkins,  bounded  east  by  Philipse  Lot  line.  The  second 
piece  of  106  acres  bought  of  Townsend  is  bounded  west  by 
Philipse  Lot  line.  This  line  runs  west  of  the  house  and  build- 
ings and  crosses  the  brook  and  the  highway  toward  the  north 
end  of  the  farm.  Some  lots  of  woodland  have  since  been  pur- 
chased for  the  use  of  the  institution. 

In  1856,  the  oflBce  of  the  county  superintendent  of  poor  was 
abolished,  and  the  Board  of  Supervisors  were  authorized  to 
employ  a  keeper  of  the  poor  house,  who  makes  an  annual 
report. 

The  old  house  and  buildings  becoming  dilapidated  and  en- 
tirely unfit  for  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  intended,  an 
effort  was  made  by  some  ladies  connected  with  the  State  Board 
of  Charities,  to  have  more  suitable  accommodations  provided: 
for  the  poor.  Prominent  among  those  who  thus  exerted  them- 
selves in  the  cause  of  humanity,  were  Miss  Julia  Livingston, 
Mrs.  G.  Miller,  Mrs.  Benjamin  D.  Crane  and  Miss  Martha  Barnes. 
As  usual  in  those  cases  the  proposal  met  with  some  opposition, 
from  the  selfish,  but  at  length  the  Board  of  Supervisors  took 
action  and  the  present  convenient  and  comfortable  buildings  were 
erected  in  1879.  The  number  of  paupers  supported  here  dur- 
ing the  past  year  was  44,  and  the  management,  under  the  care 
of  William  C.  Eutrott,  is  creditable  to  the  county. 

The  cost  of  building  the  Court  House  and  jail  is  shown  by  the 
following  extracts: 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Supervisors  at  the  house  of  Widow 
Waring,  August  26th,  1815,  the  Commissioners  for  building  the 
Court  House  in  &  for  the  County  of  Putnam,  the  Commission- 
ers made  and  presented  to  the  Supervisors  an  account  of  the 
expenses  for  the  Court  House  for  monies  paid  for  the  building, 
the  account  accepted." 


168  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY.' 

"  The  County  of  Putnam.  Dr. 

"  To  Joseph  Crane  for  thirty-nine  days  service  as  Com- 
missioner for  building  Court  House.         .  .        .     $78  00 

Dr.  to    .     45 


33 
"  To  Stephen  Barnura  for  33  days  service  as  Commis- 
sioner for  building  Court  House $66  00 

Dr.  to     .30 


36 
"  To  Joel  Frost  for  25  days  service  as  Commissioner  for 

building  Court  House $50 

Dr.  to     .     30 


20 
"  To  John  Jewitt  28  days  as  Commissioner  for  build- 
ing Court  House. $55 

Dr.  to     .     30 


25 
"  To  Jonathan  Ferris  8- days  as  Commissioner  to   build 
the  Court  House $16 

"  Memorandum  of  Monies  expended  by  the  Commissioners 
appointed  to  fix  the  site  and  build  a  Court  House  and  Gaol  for 
the  County  of  Putnam. 

"To  Cash  paid  to  James  Townsend  for  Building 
Court  House  &  Q-aol  as  per  contract.       .        .        .  $3,800  00 

"  To  Cash  paid  for  extra  iron 41  16 

"  To  Cash  paid  for  chairs  for  Court  room.  .         16  00 

"  To  Cash  paid  for  extra  timber 12  00 

"  To  Cash  paid  extra  iron  and  Smith  work.        .         .         13  70 


$3,882  86" 

"Agreement  with  Supervisors  of  Dutchess  County. 

"These  may  certify  that  we  the  Subscribers,  Supervisors  of 
the  County  of  Dutchess  and  Putnam  for  the  present  year,  hav- 
ing met  at  the  Court  House  of  Poughkeepsie  on  the  first  Tues- 
day in  October,  1812,  pursuant  to  a  law  of  the  State  of  New 
York  passed  June  12th  in  the  same  year,  for  the  purpose  of 
adjusting  accounts  in  the  said  counties,  and  appropriating  the 


GENERAL   HISTORY. 


169 


monies  thereof,  have  agreed  and  determined  as  follows,  viz  : 
that  each  county  shall  pay  the  respective  charges  for  removing 
paupers  and  special  Courts  of  Sessions  originating  or  held  in 
the  towns  Composing  or  Constituting  the  said  counties  and 
that  we  find  due  from  the  County  of  Putnam  to  the  County  of 
Dutchess  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  two  dollars  and 
thirty-five  cents,  which  the  Supervisors  of  the  said  County  of 
Putnam  for  themselves  promise  and  engage  shall  be  paid  to  the 
Treasurer  of  Dutchess,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  March  next 
ensuing  the  date  hereof.  And  the  Supervisors  of  the  County  of 
Dutchess  do  by  these  presents  for  themselves  and  their  succes- 
sors exonerate  and  discharge  the  said  County  of  Putnam  from 
all  charges  and  demands,  originating  or  existing  under  the 
County  of  Dutchess,  anterior  to  the  12th  day  of  June,  1812. 
Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  this  8th  day  of  October, 
1812. 

"  Elisha  Barlow,  Chairman,  John  Hayt, 


"  Henry  A.  Livingston, 

"  John  Cox  Jr., 

"  Jeremiah  Sherill, 

" Du  Bois, 

"  Archibald  Campbell, 
*'  Aaron  Stockton, 
'  James  Ketcham, 
"  Isaac  Sherwood, 
'■  Samuel  Mott, 

"  Supervisors  of  the  Co.  of 

"  Dutchess." 


Joshua  Barnum, 
Barnabas  Carver, 
Jonathan  Ferris, 
John  Hazen, 
Supervisors  of  the  Co.  of 
Putnam. 


At  the  organization  of  the  County  Court,  John  Jewitt  was 
the  first  clerk,  and  appointed  Robert  Weeks  his  deputy.  The 
following  is  the  record  of  the  first  term  : 

"October  Term  1812. 
"  At  a  Court  of  Common  Pleas  held  at  the  Baj^tist  Meeting 
house  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  in  and  for  the  County  of  Putnam,  on 
the  20th  day  of  October  1812.  Present :  Stephen  Barnum,  First 
Judge ;  Robert  Johnston,  Harry  Garrison,  Barnabas  Carver. 
Judges. 

"  Court  opened  by  Proclamation  at  the  hour  of  12  o'clock. 


170  HISTOKT   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"Proclamation  that  Sheriff  return  all  Process,  returnable 
here  this  day. 

"Wm.  H.  Johnston,  high  Sheriff  of  the  County  aforesaid 
returns  the  venires  with  the  i>anel  of  Jurors  annexed. 

•'  Proclamation  that  the  Jurors  appear  and  answer. 

"The  panel  being  called  the  following  Jurors  appear,  viz: 
Benjamin  Benedict,  Benjamin  Carl,  Peter  Terry,  Ebenezer 
G".  Palmer,  Philo  Lewis,  Samuel  Maybee,  John  Foshay,  Eden 
Curtis,  Edward  Smith  Jr.,  Joseph  Col  well,  Jesse  Cole.  David 
Knapp,  Cyrus  Horton,  Stephen  Purdy,  Ezra  Hubbell,  Elijah 
Townsend,  John  Gregory,  Peter  Harvey,  Jeremiah  Maybee, 
William  Ally,  William  Miller,  Archibald  Young,  and  Darius 
Doane. 

"Ordered  by  the  Court  here  now  sitting  that  the  seal  here- 
unto annexed,  with  the  following  device  to  wit,  an  oxes  head, 
and  a  two  handled  plough  with  the  words  (seal  of  Putnam 
County  Common  Pleas)  be  adopted  as  the  seal  of  this  Court, 
and  that  precepts  and  process  or  proceedings  which  require 
the  seal  of  the  Court  shall  be  sealed  with  said  seal. 

"Geo.  W.  Niven  applies  to  the  Court  now  sitting  for  R.  C. 
Austin  to  be  admitted  as  an  attorney  &  counsellor  at  Law  in 
this  Court.     Ordered  he  be  admitted  as  such. 

"  Geo.  W.  Niven  makes  application  to  this  Court  now  sitting 
for  Joseph  Silliman  to  be  admitted  as  an  Attorney  and  Counsel- 
lor at  Law  in  this  Court.     The  like  order. 

"George  W.  Niven  makes  application  to  this  Court,  for 
Walker  Todd  to  be  admitted  as  a  Counsellor  and  Attorney  at 
Law  of  this  Court.     Ordered  he  be  admitted  as  such. 

"On  presenting  of  the  license  of  William  Nelson  in  the 
Supreme  Court  of  this  State  whereby  it  appears  that  he  is  an 
Atty.  of  that  Court.  Ordered  on  his  own  motion  that  he  be 
admitted  as  an  Attorney  &  Counsellor  at  Law  of  this  Court. 

"The  like  order  as  to  Frederick  Stone.  J.  Coffin,  William 
Silliman,  and  John  Oppie. 

"  Stephen  Lyon  as  one  of  the  petty  Jurors  absent  and  sick. 
By  the  oath  of  Benjamin  Cowl.     Ordered  him  excused. 


GENEKAL   HISTORY. 


171 


Cornelius  Tompkins 

vs. 

Oliver  Cole. 

Jonathan  Ferris 

vs. 

Israel   Owens. 

Cornelius  Tompkins 

vs. 

Thomas  Denny. 

Martha  Sickely 

PS. 

Ezra  Hubbell. 


On  filing  of  the  Oyer  Com. 
Bail  Bond  and  also  a  cogno- 
vit of  the  Attorney  for  the 
Deft,  whereby  he  confesses 
the  Debt  of  the  Pl'f.  in  this 
cause  to  eighty  dollars,  on 
Motion  of  Mr.  Oppie  Atty. 
for  Pl'f,  ordered  Judgment. 


The  like  to  one  hundred 


dollars  of  Debt. 


I       The  like  in  all  things  for 
$150  Debt. 


The  like  in  all  things  for 
$42  damage. 


"Court  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

"Present — Stephen  Barnum,  Eobert  Johnston,  Barnabas 
Carver,  Judges. 

"  Court  adjourned  until  the  next  Term  of  Common  Pleas  to 
be  held  at  this  place." 

"June  3rd,  1813.  On  application  of  Joseph  Crane  Esq.,  one 
of  the  Judges  of  this  Court,  for  the  manumission  of  Nimrod  a 
man  of  Colour  belonging  to  said  Joseph  Crane,  whereupon  the 
Court  on  due  examination  find  said  slave  to  be  under  the  age 
of  fifty  years  and  of  sufficient  bodily  strength  and  ability  to 
maintain  and  support  himself  and  that  said  applicant  has  com- 
plied with  the  regulations  of  the  Statute  in  such  case  made  and 


172  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

provided.  Therefore  the  Court  orders  and  directs  the  said 
Nimrod  to  be  manumitted  and  also  do  exonerate  and  discharge 
the  said  Joseph  Crane  and  his  heirs  from  rendering  the  said 
Nimrod  any  further  support  or  sustentation." 

The  jail  limits  as  established  in  1818,  "  began  at  a  stump  near 
the  margin  of  the  pond  nearly  west  from  the  school  house." 
The  school  house  here  mentioned  stood  at  the  north  end  of  the 
park,  opposite  the  present  school  building.  The  bounds  then 
ran  east  17  chains,  90  links,  then  north  58  chains,  then  west  17 
chains,  then  south  27  chains  "to  a  Button  wood  tree  at  the 
shore  of  the  pond  and  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Charles 
Minur's  garden"  (now  the  residence  of  Edwin  Fisher),  and 
thence  to  the  beginning,  embracing  an  area  of  110  acres.  These 
were  enlarged,  in  1820,  to  141  acres. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  act  establishing  Putnam  county 
simply  sets  off  certain  towns  as  a  new  county,  without  actually 
defining  the  true  line  between  Putnam  and  Dutchess.  The  act 
of  the  Colonial  Legislature  in  establishing  the  South  Precinct 
of  Dutchess  county,  describes  it  as  including  the  whole  of  the 
patent  granted  to  Adolph  Philipse.  Whether  the  true  county 
line  was  the  north  line  of  the  "Gore,"  or  the  line  of  the  sur- 
vey of  the  Philipse  Patent,  run  in  1753,  or  a  due  east  line  from 
the  mouth  of  Fishkill  Creek,  remained  in  doubt  ^md  uncer- 
tainty. In  1832,  an  act  was  passed  "To  suryey,_q,Qd.  settle  the 
North  Boundary  Line  of  the  County  of  Putnam."  "It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Surveyor  General  to  survey,  run  out  and 
designate  by  proper  land  marks,  the  boundary  line  between  the 
Counties  of  Putnam  and  Dutchess,  the  same  being  the  northerly 
line  of  the  County  of  Putnam,  as  the  same  is  described  in  the 
third  volume  of  the  Revised  Statutes,  as  nearly  as  the  said 
boundary  line  can  be  ascertained,  but  such  survey  shall  not  be 
made  until  the  expense  thereof  shall  be  provided  for  by  the 
counties  of  Dutchess  and  Putnam,  or  one  of  them." 

There  were  three  lines  proposed.  The  first  consisted  of  the 
Compromise^  Lines,  or  the  north  lines  oi  the  Gores  of  the 
Rumbout  and  Beekman  Patents.  The  second  was  the  line  of 
survey  of  the  north  line  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  in  1753,  which 
began  at  the  mouth  of  Fishkill  Creek  and  ran  north,  87  degrees 
east,  to  the  Oblong.  The  third  was  a  due  east  line  from  the 
mouth  of  Fishkill  Creek,  to  the  Connecticut  line.  A  map 
showing  these  lines  is  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  State. 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  173 

Among  the  records  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Dutchess 
county,  is  a  letter  from  the  surveyor  general,  stating  that  he 
should  consider  the  east  and  west  line  as  the  true  boundary. 
A  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  that  county  states 
that  "the  east  and  vs^est  line  being  generally  known,  there  was 
no  necessity  of  voting  any  money  to  locate  it."  Consequently 
nothing  was  ever  done  to  mark  the  line  by  proper  monu- 
ments. 

A  traditionary  line  is  accepted  at  various  points  as  the  county 
line;  for  example,  the  south  line  of  the  farm  of  Gilbert  Tabor, 
in  Patterson,  and  the  north  line  of  the  Ludington  property,  in 
Kent;  bat  there  is  no  certainty  about  the  matter.  No  action 
was  taken  by  Putnam  county  in  regard  to  the  disputed 
boundary. 

Judges  of  Putnam  County  Court  of  Common  Pleas  from 
1812  to  1884:— 1812,  Stephen  Barnum,  1st.,  Eobert  Johnston, 
Henry  Garrison,  Barnabas  Carver.  1813,  Joseph  Crane,  Robert 
Johnston,  Henry  Garrison,  John  Crane,  Stephen  Hayt.  1815, 
Barnabas  Carver,  Robert  Johnston,  Henry  Garrison,  Jonathan 
Morehouse,  John  Patterson.  1818,  Henry  Garrison,  1st.,  Bar- 
nabas Carver,  John  Patterson,  Jonathan  Morehouse.  1820, 
Abraham  Smith,  William  Watts,  David  Jackson,  John  Patter- 
son, John  Hoyt.  1821,  Barnabas  Carver,  Jonathan  Morehouse, 
William  Watts,  Abraham  Smith.  1823,  Henry  Garrison,  Bar- 
nabas Carver,  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  James  Lowner,  Edward 
Smith.  1829,  Frederick  Stone,  1st.,  Bennet  Boyd,  Samuel 
Washburn,  Ebenezer  Foster,  Cyrus  Horton.  1832,  Henry  Gar- 
rison. 1833,  Bennet  Boyd,  1st.,  David  Kent.  1835,  Stephen 
Pinckney.  1836,  Ebenezer  Foster.  1838,  David  Kent,  Bennet 
Boyd,  1st.,  John  Garrison.  1841,  Henry  J.  Belden,  Cornelius 
Warren.  1843,  Robert  P  Parrott,  1st.,  Azor.  B.  Crane,  Benja- 
min B.  Benedict,  Thatcher  B.  Theall.  1845,  Nathaniel  Cole. 
1847,  Azor.  B.  Crane,  elected  Judge  and  Surrogate  under  the 
new  Constitution  of  1846. 

County  Judges  from  1847:— 1847,  Azor.  B.  Crane.  1851,  Am- 
brose Ryder.     1863,  Edward  Wright.     1884,  William  Wood. 

Surrogates  from  1813  to  1847:— 1813,  Joel  Frost.  1819, 
Walker  Todd.  1821,  Joel  Frost.  1823,  Jeremiah  Hine.  1827, 
Jeremiah  Hine.  1832,  Walker  Todd.  1836,  Walker  Todd.  1839, 
Howard  H.  White.  1840,  Abraham  Smith.  1844,  Azor.  B. 
Crane. 


174  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  offices  of  coantj'^  jndge  and  surrogate  have  been  com- 
bined since  1846. 

District  Attorneys:— 1818,  Walker  Todd.  1821,Frederic  Stone. 
1829,  Jeremiah  Hine.  1838,  Frederic  Stone.  1847,  Charles  Ga 
Nun.  1850,  John  Gr.  Miller.  1850,  Frederic  Stone.  1853,  John 
G.  Miller.  1856,  Peter  M.  Jordan.  1858,  Levi  H.  McCoy.  1861, 
Jackson  O.  Dykman.  1864,  James  D.  Little.  1870,  Samuel  J. 
Owen.  1876,  William  Wood.  1883,  Frederic  S.  Barnum.  1885, 
Abram  J.  Miller. 

Names  of  Attorneys  on  Court  Roll :— 1812,  Goorge  W.  Niven. 
1813,  Frederic  Stone,  William  Nelson,  Amos  Belden.  1815, 
Walker  Todd,  Henry  B.  Lee,  William  Brow^n,  John  Philips. 
1816,  Cornelius  Master,  Philo  Ruggles.  1817,  William  H. 
Johnston,  Edvrard  Buckbee,  Moses  Hatch,  Jonas  Strong,  Isaac 
Hoffman,  Robert  P.  Lee.  1818,  E.  Nye.  1819,  James  Youngs, 
Stephen  Cleveland,  James  W.  Oppie,  Samuel  B.  Halsey, 
Jeremiah  Hine,  Samuel  Youngs,  J.  W.  Strang.  1820,  Henry  B. 
Cowles.  1836,  Stephen  D.  Horton,  Lewis  Robinson.  1839, 
Eleazar  M.  Swift,  Elijah  Yerks,  Howard  H.  White.  1840, 
Thomas  Nelson,  Ebenezer  C.  Southerland,  Silas  H.  Hickok, 
Owen  T.  Coffin,  William  FuUerton.  1841,  J.  H.  Ferris.  1842. 
Samuel  F.  Reynolds,  Benjamin  Bailey.  1843,  John  Curry, 
Charles  Ga  Nnn,  Peter  S.  Jordan,  William  J.  Blake.  1844, 
John  S.  Bates,  Thomas  R.  Lee,  James  H.  Borland.  1846, 
William  A.  Dean,  Calvin  Frost.  1847,  John  G.  Miller,  James 
D.  Stevenson,  Charles  M.  Tompkins,  Amri  L.  Dean.  1855, 
Charles  H.  Ferris.  1857;  Thomas  G.  Barnum.  1866,  Seymour 
B.  Nelson.  1876,  William  Wood,  George  E.  Anderson.  1877, 
James  Gardiner.  1878,  George  W.  Horton.  1880,  Ward  B. 
Yeomans.     1881,  Clayton  Ryder,  Frederic  S.  Barnum. 

Representatives  in  Congress  : — 1817,  Henry  B,  Lee.  1837, 
Gouverneur  Kemble.     1847,  Cornelius  Warren. 

State  Senators:— 1828-31,  Walker  Todd.  1848-49,  Saxton 
Smith.     1864-65,  Saxton  Smith. 

Members  of  Assembly:— 1814,  Joshua  Barnum,  jr.  1815, 
David  Knapp.  1816,  Henry  B.  Lee.  1817,  Edward  Smith,  jr. 
1818,  William  H.  Johnston.  1819,  Hart  Weed.  1820,  David 
Knapp.  1821,  Elisha  Brown.  1822,  Edward  Smith.  1823,  Wil- 
liam Watts.  1824,  Stephen  C.  Barnum.  1825,  David  Knapp. 
1826-28,  Henry  B.  Cowles.  1829,  Thomas  W.  Taylor.  1830, 
James  Towner.  1831,  Bennet  Boyd.  1832,  Reuben  D.  Barnum. 
1833,  John  Garrison.     1834,  Jonathan  Morehouse.     1835,  Daniel 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  175 

Kent.  1836,  Moses  C.  Robinson.  1837,  John  Crawford.  1838, 
Saxton  Smith.  1839,  Herman  R.  Stephens.  1840,  Saxton  Smith. 
1841,  James  H.  Cornwall.  1842,  Ebenezer  Foster.  1843,  Syl- 
vanus  Warren.  1844,  Saxton  Smith.  1845-47,  Benjamin 
Bailey.  1847,  Benjamin  B.  Benedict.  1848,  Chauncey  R. 
Weeks.  1849,  James  J.  Smalley.  1850-51,  William  Bowne. 
1852-53,  ISTathan  A.  Howes.  1854-55,  James  J.  Smalley.  1856, 
Benjamin  Bailey.  1857,  Chauncey  R.  Weeks.  1858,  John  Gar- 
rison. 1859-60,  Edwin  A.  Pelton.  1861,  Charles  T.  Brewster. 
1862,  Thomas  H.  Reed.  1863,  Saxton  Smith.  1864-65,  Jeremiah 
Sherwood.  1866-67,  Stephen  Baker.  1868,  Samuel  D.  Humph- 
rey. 1869-70,  Morgan  Horton.  1871,  Sarles  Drew.  1872,  James 
B.  Dykeman.  1873,  William  S.  Clapp.  1874,  Hamilton  Fish, 
jr.  1875,  William  H.  Christopher.  1876-79,  Hamilton  Fish,  jr. 
1880,  George  McCabe.  1881,  Charles  H.  Everett.  1882,  Robert 
A.  Livingston.  1883,  James  W.  Brooks.  1884,  Henry  D.  Clapp. 
1885,  Robert  A.  Livingston.     1886,  Henry  Mabie. 

County  Clerks:— 1812,  John  Jewett.  1815,  William  H.  John- 
ston. 1817,  James  Townsend,  jr.  1820,  Rowland  Bailey.  1821, 
James  Towner.  1822,  Jonathan  Morehouse.  1837,  William  H. 
Sloat.  1840,  Reuben  D.  Barnum.  1852,  Ira  Mead.  1857,  Agus- 
tus  Hazen.  1860,  Edward  Wright.  1863,  John  K.  Watt.  1875, 
Edward  B.  Thompson.     1884,  Edward  C.  Weeks. 

Sheriffs:— 1812,  William  H.  Johnston.  1813-14,  Peter  Crosby. 
1815-18,  Peter  Warren.  1819-20,  Edward  Buckbee.  1821, 
Joseph  Cole.  1822  23,  Edward  Buckbee.  1826,  Thomas  W. 
Taylor.  1829,  Joseph  Cole,  2d.  1832,  Nathaniel  Cole.  1885, 
Thomas  W  Taylor.  1838,  George  W.  Travis.  1840,  William 
W.  Taylor.  1843,  James  Smith.  1846,  William  W.  Taylor. 
1849,  James  J.  Smalley.  1849,  Joseph  E.  M.  Nobby,  ap.  1852, 
Harvey  Mead.  1855,  Charles  T.  Brewster.  1858,  Daniel  B. 
Lockwood.  1861,  Charles  T.  Brewster.  1864,  John  J.  Smalley. 
1867,  John  Butler.  1870,  Richard  R.  Horton.  1873,  James  O. 
Cole.  1876,  Edmund  Doane.  1879,  James  0.  Cole.  1883,  James 
J.  Dakin.     1884,  Jeremiah  W.  Hazen. 

County  Treasurers: — 1848,  Thomas  W.  Taylor.  1854,  Leonard 
K.  Everett.  1857,  Addison  J.  Hopkins.  1860,  James  J.  Smalley. 
1869,  Thatcher  H.  Theall.  1870,  John  Cornish.  1873,  Ambrose 
Ryder.  1873,  Daniel  Baker.  1876,  Hillyer  Ryder.  1885,  Hillyer 
Ryder. 

School  Commissioners  from  1859  to  present  time : — George  F. 


176  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Sherman,  Jackson  O.  Dykman,  Peter  B.  Curry,  William  Town- 
send,  2d,  Charles  H.  Ferris,  John  H.  Spencer,  Thomas  H.  Reed, 
James  A.  Foshay. 

Coroners  :— 1812,  William  Brown,  Edward   Buckbee.     1813, 
Edward  Buckbee.     1816,  Joseph  Benedict,  Samuel  Townsend. 
1817,    Joseph    Benedict.     1818,    Orrin    M.    Armstrong,  David 
Mooney,  Henry  Haldane,  Samuel  Townsend.     1819,  Orrin  M. 
Armstrong,  Henry  Haldane,   Samuel  Townsend.     1820,  Henry 
Haldane,  David  Dingee,  Erastus  Smith,   Orrin  M.  Armstrong, 
James    Dykeman.     1821,    James    Dykeman,    Henry   Haldane, 
David   Dingee,   William   Brown.     1822,    Henry   Haldane,   Na- 
thaniel   Delavan,    James  Dykeman.      1823,    Henry    Haldane, 
Azahel  Cole,  William  Eaymond.  1826,  Benjamin  Dykeman  jr., 
William  H.  Sloat,  Edmund  Burtch,  Nathaniel  Delavan.     1829, 
William  Raymond,  John  Garrison.     1832,  Lewis  Rogers,  Sey- 
mour Allen,    David   Dingee,    John  F.    Haight.      1835,    Lewis 
Rogers,    John    F.    Haight,    Stillman    Boyd.     1837,    James   J. 
Smalley.    1838,  John  F.  Haight,  Cornelius  Nelson  jr.,  Abraham 
Everett.     1839,   Amos  Tompkins,   Sela  G-age.     1841,  Cornelius 
Nelson  jr.,  Jeremiah  Dewel.     1843,  Addison  J.  Hopkins,  James 
Barker.     1845,   Hart  Weed,  Elisha   C.   Baxter,    Cyrus   Chase. 
1846,  James   Barker.     1847,   John   Simonson.     1848,  Cornelius 
Dean.     1849,  A.  G.  Travis.     1851,  Jeremiah  Dewel,  George  W. 
Mikmak.     1852,  Cornelius  Dean,  Henry  W.  Lewis.     1855,  Har- 
rison  Chapman.     1856,  Henry   Smith.      1859,  Stephen  Minor, 
Charles  H.  Minor.     1862,  A.  J.  Barnes,   Stephen  Minor.     1863, 
Edwin  Fowler,    J.  Hazen  Perry.     1864,    Robert  A.  Ketchum. 
1866,  Andrew  J.  Foshay,  J.  Hazen  Perry,  Edmond  J.  Wixon. 
1868,   Robert  A.  Fletcher,  Alfred  Bailey,   Alvin  Chase.     1869, 
Andrew  J.  Foshay,  Sylvester  B.  Truesdell.     1871,  Daniel  Til- 
lotson.     1872,  Charles  Bullock.     1872,  Daniel  S.  Judd.     1874, 
Joseph  G.  Cole,  Philip  D.  Penny.     1875,  Wellington  Ketchum, 
Sylvester  B.  Truesdell.    1877,  Joseph  G.  Cole,  Walter  S.  Crosby. 
1878,   John  A.  Reed,   Martin  V.  B.    Stevens.     1880,  Joseph  G. 
Cole,   Francis  Butterfass.     1882,  Martin  V.  B.  Stevens.     1883, 
William  H.   Cowl,  Francis  Butterfass.     1884,   John  A.   Reed, 
1885,  Martin  V.  B.  Stevens. 

AGRICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

The  Agricultural   Society  of    the  County  was   organized  in 
1851.    Its  first  president  was  Thomas  B.  Arden,  of  Philipstown; 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  177 

first  secretary,  Hugh  C.  Wilson,  of  Putnam  Valley;  first  treas- 
urer, Saxton  Smith,  of  Putnam  Valley.  The  first  County  Fair 
was  held  Oct.  8th  and  9th,  1851,  at  Carmel. 

For  several  years  its  annual  fairs  were  successively  held  at 
Carmel,  Lake  Mahopac  and  Brewster;  Ttc  fairs  are  now  con- 
tinuously held  at  Carmel,  the  society  1  ing  acquired  a  per- 
petual lease  of  about  eight  acres  of  land,  on  which  it  has  erected 
a  large  and  commodious  building  for  its  exhibitions  and  con- 
structed an  excellent  half-mile  driving  track. 


13 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


THE  CLAIM  OF  JOHN  JACOB  ASTOR. 

THE  most  important  episode  in  the  modern  history  of  Put- 
nam county  was  the  great  trial  and  controversy  which 
attended  the  claim  of  John  Jacob  Astor  to  the  ownership  of  the 
reversionary  right  to  the  lands  included  in  Lots  3,  5  and  9, 
which  were  the  share  of  Mary  Morris  as  one  of  the  three  owners 
of  the  Philipse  Patent.  For  the  full  understanding  of  the 
origin  of  this  claim,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  deed  of  mar- 
riage settlement  made  by  Mary  Philipse  and  Roger  Morris  pre- 
vious to  their  marriage,  a  copy  of  which  may  be  found  in  this 
work. 

According  to  the  terms  of  this  deed,  the  lands  belonging  to 
Mary  Philipse  were  to  be  to  the  use  of  Mary  Philipse  and  her 
husband,  Roger  Morris,  during  their  lives,  and  after  their  de- 
cease, the  lands  were  to  go  to  their  children.  After  the  Revo- 
lution Mary  Morris  and  her  husband  removed  to  England  and 
never  afterward  returned  to  their  native  land.  As  stated  in  a 
previous  chapter  their  lands  were  confiscated  and  sold  to  various 
purchasers,  most  of  whom  were  already  in  actual  possession  as 
tenants  under  Col.  Morris  and  his  wife.  It  soon  became  known 
that  the  only  title  which  the  State  could  lawfully  give  was  the 
title  actually  existing  in  Mary  Morris  and  her  husband,  at  the 
time  of  the  sale,  and  could  not  affect  the  title  of  their  children. 

Roger  Morris  died  about  1795,  and  his  wife  died  July  2d, 
1825.  The  children  of  their  marriage  were:  Amherst,  who  died 
unmarried  and  intestate,  in  1802;  Joanna,  who  married  Thomas 
Cowper  Hincks;  Margaret,  who  died  when  two  years  of  age; 
Maria;  and  Henry  Gage  Morris,  all  of  whom  resided  in  Eng- 
land. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature,  February  16th 
1787,  by  Joanna  Morris  on  behalf  of  herself  and  her  brothers 


GEISTEBAL   HISTOKY.  179 

and  sisters,,  stating  their  claims  and  praying  for  ^relief.  This 
petition  was  referred  to  a  committee,  who  reported  that  if  the 
statements  therein  made  were  true,  the  ordinary  course  of  law 
was  competent  for  their  relief,  without  legislation,  and  this 
report  was  adopted  by  the  Legislature.  Some  alarm  was  felt 
by  the  persons  owning  farms  under  the  confiscation  sale,  for 
in  1807  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature  by  Enoch 
Crosby  and  others,  calling  attention  to  the  claim  presented  by 
the  children  of  Roger  Morris,  and  praying  that  steps  might  be 
taken  to  quiet  thesg  claims,  but  no  decided  action  was  taken. 

In  1809,  John  Jacob  Astor,  the  famous  millionaire  of  his  day, 
purchased  from  the  children  of  Roger  Morris  all  their  right  to 
the  lands  in  question.  The  conveyance  was  made  in  the  old 
form  of  lease  and  release,  by  which  the  heirs  gave  a  lease  of  the 
land  "  for  one  whole  year,"  "  In  order  that  the  said  John  Jacob 
Astor  should  be  in  actual  possession,  by  force  of  the  Statute 
for  transferring  uses  into  possession."  The  lease  was  dated 
December  18th,  1809,  and  a  formal  deed  was  executed  on  the 
following  day  as  follows: 

"  This  Indentuee  made  the  nineteenth  day  of  December  in 
the  fiftieth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the 
third  by  the  grace  of  God  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  King  defender  of  the  faith  and  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  nine  Between 
Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  of  Somerset  street  Portman  Square  in 
the  Parish  of  Saint  Mary  Le  Bone  and  County  of  Middlesex 
Esquire  and  Joanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  of  the  City  of  York 
Spinster  &  Henry  Gage  Morris  of  Somerset  street  aforesaid  Es- 
quire a  Commander  in  his  Majesty's  Royal  Navy  which  said 
Joanna  Hincks  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  are  the 
three  surviving  children  of  Mary  Morris  now  of  the  said  City  of 
York  but  formerly  of  New  York  in  America  by  Roger  Morris 
her  husband  deceased  of  the  one  part  and  John  Jacob  Astor 
of  the  City  of  New  York  in  America  Merchant  of  the  other 
part  Whereas  under  and  by  virtue  of  Letters  Patent  of  his 
Majesty  King  William  the  third  under  the  Great  Seal  of  the 
Province  of  New  York  bearing  date  on  or  about  the  seven- 
teenth day  of  June  in  the  year  one  thousand  six  hundred  and 
ninety-seven  all  that  tract  of  Land  in  Dutchess  County  situate 
lying  and  being  in  the  highlands  on  the  east  side  of  Hudsons 
river  Beginning  at  a  red  cedar  tree  marked  V  on  the  north  side 


180  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

of  the  Hill  commonly  called  Anthony's  nose  which  "is  likewise 
the  bound  of  Colonel  Stephen  Van  Courtlandts  land  on  his 
Manor  of  Courtlandt  and  from  thence  bounded  by  the  said 
Hudsons  river  as  the  said  river  runs  northerly  until  it  comes 
to  the  Creek  River  or  run  of  water  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  the  great  fish  Kill  to  the'  northward  and  above  the 
said  Highlands  which  is  likewise  the  southward  bounds  of 
land  belonging  to  the  said  Colonel  Stephen  Van  Courtlandt 
and  Company  and  so  easterly  along  the  said  Courtlandt' s  line 
and  the  south  bounds  of  Colonel  Henry-  Beekman  until  it 
comes  twenty  miles  or  unto  the  division  or  'partition  line  be- 
tween the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  said  Province  and 
Easterly  by  the  said  division  line  and  being  bounded  northerly 
and  southerly  by  east  and  west  lines  unto  the  said  division  line 
between  the  said  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Province  afore- 
said the  whole  being  bounded  westward  by  the  said  Hudson's 
river  northward  by  the  Land  of  Colonel  Courtlandt  and  Com- 
pany and  the  Land  oE  Colonel  Beekman  eastward  by  the  parti- 
tion line  between  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  Province 
of  New  York  and  southerly  by  the  Manor  of  Courtlandt  to  the 
Land  of  the  said  Colonel  Courtlandt  including  therein  a  certain 
Island  at  the  north  side  of  the  said  High  Lands  called 
Pollaples  Island  with  the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances 
thereto  belonging  and  granted  unto  Adolph  Philipse  Esquire 
his  heirs  and  assigns  forever  who  shortly  after  the 
granting  of  the  said  Letters  Patent  departed  this  life  intestate 
leaving  Frederick  Philipse  Esquire  his  Nephew  and  heir 
at  Law  and  Whereas  the  said  Frederick  Philipse  in  and 
by  his  last  will  and  testament  in  writing  duly  executed  and  at- 
tested for  the  devise  of  Lands  of  Inheritance  and  bearing  date 
on  or  about  the  sixth  day  of  June  in  the  year  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  fifty-one  devised  the  aforesaid  tract  of  Land 
unto  his  son  Philip  Philipse  his  daughter  Susannah  then  the  wife 
of  Beverly  Robinson  his  daughters  the  said  Mary  Morris  by  her 
then  name  of  Mary  Philipse  and  Margaret  Philipse  in  equal 
shares  to  them  and  the  heirs  of  their  bodies  forever  and  if  any  or 
either  of  them  should  die  without  issue  in  such  case  the  quarter 
part  thereby  devised  to  him  her  or  those  of  them  so  dying  with- 
out issue  should  be  equally  divided  among  the  survivors  And 
Whereas  the  said  Margaret  the  youngest  daughter  of  the  said 
Frederick  Philipse  departed  this  life  without  having  had  any 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  181 

issue  of  her  body  Lawfully  begotten  whereby  the  said  Philip 
Philipse  Susannah  Robinson  and  Mary  Philipse  became  entitled 
to  the  said  lands  and  hereditaments  in  equal  shares  And  Where- 
as in  or  about  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty- 
three  the  said  Philip  Philipse  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah 
his  wife  and  Mary  Philipse  duly  suffered  a  common  recovery  of 
the  said  Land  and  hereditaments  and  under  the  uses  of  that  re- 
covery became  seized  of  the  said  tract  of  land  and  heredita- 
ments as  Tenants  in  Common  in  fee  And  Whereas  by  indenture 
bearing  date  on  or  about  the  seventh  day  of  February  in  the 
year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  four  duly  acknowl- 
edged before  Joseph  Murray  then  one  of  his  Majesty's  Council 
for  the  said  Province  of  New  York  and  made  or  expressed  to 
be  made  between  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robin- 
son and  Susannah  his  wife  of  the  one  part  and  the  said  Mary 
Morris  by  her  then  name  of  Mary  Philipse  of  the  other  part 
after  reciting  the  said  Letters  Patent  herein  before  in  part  re- 
cited and  also  reciting  that  the  said  parties  had  by  Jonathan 
Hampton  their  Surveyor  divided  the  greatest  part  of  the  said 
tract  of  land  and  distinguished  the  same  by  Lots  signed  and 
delivered  by  Hampton  and  left  with  the  said  Beverly  Robinson 
for  the  use  of  himself  and  the  other  Parties  to  the  now  reciting 
Indenture  and  that  in  order  to  have  an  equal  division  they  had 
according  to  divers  assortments  made  by  the  said  Jonathan 
Hampton  drawn  their  several  Lots  whereupon  the  Lots  No.  3 
No.  Sand  No.  9  and  one  third  part  of  the  meadow  land  lying  in 
Lot  No.  2  laid  down  in  the  Map  did  then  belong  to  the  share  of 
the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Mary  Philipse  and  were  butted  and 
bounded  as  follows  Lot  No.  3  Beginning  at  two  hemlock  bushes 
standing  in  a  Grully  between  Bull  and  Breakneck  hills  on  the 
east  side  of  Hudsons  river  and  from  thence  running  north  seventy 
seven  degrees  East  three  hundred  and  eighty  six  chains  to  a 
heap  of  stones  and  walnut  bush  marked  P.  R.  1753  Standing  in 
the  west  line  of  Lot  No.  4  and  is  also  the  north  east  corner  of 
Lot  No.  2  then  North  ten  degrees  Bast  two  hundred  and  twenty 
eight  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  thirty  links  north  of  a  white 
oak  tree  marked  P.  1753  being  the  north  west  corner  of  Lot 
No.  4  then  south  eighty  seven  degrees  west  four  hundred  and 
eighty  chains  to  the  mouth  of  the  Fish  Kill  from  thence  down 
the  several  courses  of  Hudson's  river  to  the  beginning  includ- 
ing Pollaples  Island  containing  about  eight  thousand  six  hun- 


182  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

dred  acres.  Lot  No.  5  Beginning  at  a  heap  of  Stones  in  the  line 
of  the  Manor  Courtlandt  at  the  South  East  corner,  of  Lot  No. 
4  then  north  ten  degrees  east  nine  hundred  and  forty  seven 
chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  north  east  corner  of  Lot  No. 
4  then  North  eighty  seven  degrees  east  three,  hundred  and 
forty  four  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  virhich  is  the  northwest 
corner  of  Lot  No.  6  then  south  ten  degrees  west  along  the  line 
of  Lot  No.  6  nine  hundred  and  sixty  chains  to  a  heap  of 
stones  in  the  line  of  the  Manor  Courtlandt  at  the  South 
west  corner  of  Lot  No.  6  then  west  along  the  line  of  the 
Manor  Courtlandt  three  hundred  and  forty  chains  to  the  Begin- 
ning containing  about  thirty  one  thousand  two  hundred  acres. 
Lot  No.  9  Beginning  at  a  hemlock  tree  standing  on  the  south 
side  of  the  east  branch  of  Croton  River  and  a  heap  of 
stones  on  the  north  side  which  is  also  the  south  east  corner 
of  Lot  No.  6  in  the  line  of  the  Manor  Courtlandt  from  thence 
running  north  ten  degrees  ease  three  hundred  and  thirty  three 
chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  and  a  walnut  tree  marked  P.  R.  1753 
on  the  south  side  of  the  hill  near  an  old  Meeting  House  in  the 
line  of  Lot  No.  6  being  the  South  West  corner  of  Lot  No.  8  then 
east  along  the  line  of  Lot  No.  8  three  hundred  and  thirty  seven 
chains  to  a  chestnut  Bush  marked  P.  R.  1753  Standing  in  the 
oblong  line  on  the  west  side  of  Rocky  Hill  which  is  the  south 
east  corner  of  Lot  No.  8  then  southerly  as  the  oblong  line  runs 
three  hundred  and  thirty  chains  to  the  north  east  corner  of  the 
Manor  of  Courtlandt  in  Peach  Pond  then  west  along  the  said 
Manor  of  Courtlandt  three  hundred  and  thirty  six  chains  to 
the  beginning  containing  about  eleven  thousand  two  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  and  the  one  third  part  of  the  Meadow  Land 
lying  in  Lot  No.  2  Beginning  five  chains  from  the  upland  upon 
Danfords  Creek  and  running  to  Crooked  Creek  five  chains  from 
the  upland  then  down  Crooked  Creek  to  the  Meadow  belonging 
to  Lot  No.  7  then  north  west  to  Martlers  Rock  then  along  the 
upland  the  North  side  of  a  little  Island  in  the  Meadow  to  the 
mouth  of  Danfords  Creek  then  up  the  said  Creek  to  the  begin- 
ning containing  about  eighty  two  acres.  It  is  Witnessed  that 
in  consideration  of  the  mutual  grant  from  the  said  Mary  Morris 
then  Philipse  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  Susannah  Robin- 
son and  their  heirs  of  divers  other  lands  in  the  said  Letters 
Patent  mentioned  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robin- 
son and  Susannah  his  wife  did  grant  bargain  sell  alien  release 


GENEEAL   HISTORY.  183 

and  confirm  unto  the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  her  heirs 
and  assigns  all  and  singular  the  Lots  before  described  with  the 
appurtenances  To  hold  the  same  unto  and   to  the  use  of  the 
said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  her  heirs  and  assigns  forever 
And  Whereas  by  Indenture  of  lease  and  release  bearing  date 
respectively  on  or  about  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  days  of 
January  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  eight 
and  made  or  expressed  to  be  made  between  the  said  Mary  Mor- 
ris then  Philipse  of  the  first  part  Major  Roger  Morris  of  the 
second  part  and  Joanna  Philipse  and  the  said  Beverly  Robinson 
of  the  third  part  being  the  settlement  made  previous  to  the 
marriage  then  intended  to  be  and  afterwards  duly  solemnized 
between  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  the  said  Mary  his  wife.     It 
is  witnessed  that  for  the  consideration  therein  mentioned  she 
the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  did  grant  bargain  sell  release 
and  confirm  unto  the  said  Joanna  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robin- 
son and  their  heirs  the  aforesaid  several  lots  or  parcels  of  land 
herein  before  particularly  described  and  all  other  the  lands  and 
hereditaments  of  her  the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  To 
hold  the  same  unto  the  said  Joanna  Philipse  and  Beverly  Rob- 
inson and  their  heirs  to  the  use  of  the  said  Joanna  Philipse  and 
Beverly  Robinson  and  their  heirs  until  the  solemnization  of  the 
said  then  intended  marriage  and  after  the  solemnization  thereof 
to  the  use  of  the  said  Mary  Philipse  and  Roger  Morris  and  the 
survivor  of  them  for  and  during  the  terra  of  their  natural  lives 
without  impeachment  of  waste  Remainder  to  the  use  of  such 
child  or  children  as  should  or  might  be  procreated  between 
them  and  to  his  her  or  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever.     But  in 
case  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  Mary  Philipse  should  have  no 
child  or  children  begotten  between  them  or  that  such  child  or 
children  should  happen  to  die  during  the  life  time  of  the  said 
Roger  and  Mary  and  the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  should 
survive  the  said  Roger  Morris  without  issue  then  to  the  use  of 
the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  her  heirs  and  assigns  for 
ever.     And  in  case  the  said  Roger  Morris  should  survive  the 
said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  without  any  issue  by  her  or  that 
such  issue  should  then  be  dead  without  leaving  issue  then  after 
the  decease  of  the  said  Roger  Morris  to  the  use  of  such  person 
or  persons  as  the  said  Mary  Morris  then  Philipse  should  by 
her  last  will  and  testament  appoint.     And  Whereas  by  Inden- 
ture bearing  date  on  or   about    the   fourteenth    day   of  April 


184  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  one  duly 
acknowledged  before  one  of  his  Majesty's  Council  and  made  or 
expressed  to  be  made  between  the  said  Philip  Philipseand  Bev- 
erly Robinson  of  the  one  part  and  the  said  Roger  Morris  of  the 
other  part  after  reciting  the  said  herein  before  in  part  recited 
Indenture  of  the  seventh  day  of  February  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  four  and  also  reciting  that  by  Letters  Patent 
under  the  great  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York  dated  the 
twenty  seventh  day  of  March  then  last  therein  reciting  that  the 
said  Philip  Philipse  Beverly  Robinson  and  Roger  Morris  by 
their  petition  to  the  Honorable  Cadwallader  Golden  President 
of  New  York  on  or  about  the  twenty  sixth  day  of  November 
then  last  past  did  set  forth  that  in  the  year  one  thousand  six 
hundred  and  eighty  three  a  line  of  division  was  established  be- 
tween the  said  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Colony  of  Con- 
necticut running  parallel  and  at  the  equal  distance  of  twenty 
Miles  in  all  its  parts  from  Hudsons  river  and  that  before 
the  actual  running  of  the  said  line  the  said  in  part  recited  Let- 
ters Patent  had  issued  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  for  all  that 
tract  of  Land  in  Dutchess  County  hereinbefore  described  and 
that  since  the  establishment  of  the  said  line  and  grant  of  the 
said  Letters  Patent  certain  Commissioners  had  been  appointed 
by  the  then  respective  governments  of  New  York  and  Connec- 
ticut for  running  out  and  marking  the  said  line  who  finding  it 
impracticable  to  perform  the  same  exactly  agreeable  to  the  said 
Establishment  did  actually  run  and  mark  out  a  line  as  near  as 
could  be  parallel  to  the  main  course  of  Hudsons  River  which 
line  was  afterwards  confirmed  that  the  said  line  so  run  not  be- 
ing in  all  its  parts  the  equal  distance  of  twenty  miles  from  Hud- 
sons River  occasioned  by  the  variation  of  its  course  from  a 
straight  line  the  said  line  as  far  as  it  extended  along  the  rear  of 
the  said  Patent  did  in  some  parts  exceed  and  in  other  parts  fall 
short  of  that  distance  notwithstanding  which  the  said  Adolph 
Philipse  and  those  who  held  under  him  conceiving  that  the  said 
line  so  actually  run  ought  for  reasons  of  public  and  private 
utility  to  be  the  rear  line  of  the  said  Patent  had  always  claimed 
and  then  claimed  by  virtue  of  the  same  all  the  lands  included 
within  the  north  and  south  boundaries  of  the  said  Patent  as  far 
Eastward  from  Hudsons  River  as  the  said  line  of  division  actu- 
ally run  out  and  marked  as  aforesaid  although  some  disputes 
had  then  lately  arisen  concerning  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  said 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  185 

Patent  on  pretense  that  the  said  tract  thereby  granted  extended 
to  the  equal  distance  of  twenty  miles  from  Hudson's  river  in  a 
similar  line  to  the  windings  and  turnings  of  the  said,  river  ac- 
cording to  which  construction  a  considerable  tract  would  be  ex- 
cluded the  said  Patent:  But  even  admitting  that  there  was 
some  color  for  such  a  construction  of  the  Eastern  bounds  of  the 
said  patent  since  the  actual  running  and  marking  out  of  the 
said  line  as  would  restrict  the  said  petitioners  to  the  distance  of 
twenty  miles  east  of  the  said  river  in  every  part  of  their  rear 
line  which  they  conceived  was  not  as  yet  a  considerable  part  of 
the  line  granted  by  the  said  Letters  Patent  within  that  distance 
did  lie  to  the  eastward  of  the  then  present  line  of  division  and  was 
held  and  enjoyed  by  others  his  Majesty's  subjects  not  claiming 
tinder  his  said  Letters  Patent  upon  a  supposition  that  the  same 
were  not  included  in  the  said  patent  since  the  running  of  the 
then  present  line  of  the  division  the  petitioners  in  order  to  re- 
move all  doubts  and  controversies  were  willing  to  surrender  and 
release  all  their  right  and  title  to  the  same  to  his  Majesty  in 
trust  for  those  of  his  subjects  then  holding  the  same  on  condition 
the  petitioners  obtaining  ,a  grant  and  confirmation  of  all  the 
lands  that  might  be  between  the  distance  of  twenty  miles  from 
Hudson's  river  and  the  said  then  present  line  of  division  and 
th.e  north  and  south  bounds  of  the  said  Patent  extended  to 
the  said  line  which  would  not  only  quiet  the  said  inhabitants  in 
their  respective  possessions  but  also  prevent  any  further 
controversy  respecting  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  said 
Patent  and  that  as  the  X'^titioners  were  willing  to  pay 
the  usual  quit  rents  for  the  said  land  lying  between  the 
distance  of  twenty  miles  from  Hudsons  river  and  the 
then  Colony  line  and  the  north  and  south  bounds  of  the  said 
Patent  extended  to  the  said  line  they  humbly  conceived  them- 
selves equitably  entitled  to  such  grant  and  confirmation  in  pref- 
erence to  any  others  who  had  no  title  to  the  same  therefor  the 
petitioners  prayed  his  Majesty's  Letters  Patent  confirming  to 
them  the  said  tract  of  land  granted  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse 
and  granting  and  confirming  to  them  all  other  lands  that  might 
lie  between  the  distance  of  twenty  miles  from  Hudson's  river 
and  the  said  division  line  and  the  north  and  south  bounds  of 
the  said  Patent  extended  to  the  said  line  his  Majesty  gave 
granted  ratified  and  confirmed  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse  Bev- 
erly Robinson  and  Roger  Morris  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever 


186  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

as  tenants  in  common  all  those  two  tracts  or  parcels  of  land  situ- 
ate lying  and  being  in  the  County  of  Dutchess  at  the  distance 
of  twentymiles  from  Hudson's  river  between  the  lands  formerly 
granted  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  deceased  and  the  equiva- 
lent lands  surrendered  by  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  to  the 
Province  of  New  York  the  one  of  which  tracts  begin  at  a  monu- 
ment of  a  large  heap  of  stones  erected  in  the  west  bounds  of  the 
said  equivalent  lands  thirty  eight  links  north  twenty  five  de- 
grees west  from  a  large  rock  having  the  letters  H.  B.  P.  P.  and 
B.  R.  marked  thereon  which  said  monument  or  heap  of  stones 
was  erected  in  the  month  of  April  in  the  year  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  four  by  the  proprietors  of  the  lands 
formerly  granted  to  Colonel  Henry  Beekman  and  of  the  afore- 
said lands  formerly  granted  to  the  said  Adolph  Philipse  for  a 
corner  between  and  division  between  the  said  Patents  and  run- 
ning from  the  said  monument  or  heap  of  stones  along  the  south 
boundaries  of  the  said  Henry  Beekman' s  lands  west  ninety 
chains  then  south  fifteen  degrees  west  three  hundred  and  sixty 
chains  then  south  twenty  four  degrees  east  one  hundred  and 
sixty  chains  then  south  fourteen  degrees  east  fifty  nine  chains 
to  the  said  west  boundaries  of  the  said  equivalent  lands  then 
along  the  said  west  boundaries  five  hundred  and  sixty  chains 
to  the  place  where  the  said  tract  began,  containing  four  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  four  acres  and  the  usual  allowances  for 
highways  and  the  other  of  the  said  tracts  begins  at  a  stake  stand- 
ing in  the  north  boundaries  of  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt  and  on  the 
west  side  of  a  pond  of  water  called  Peach  Pond  and  runs  from 
the  said  stake  along  the  north  boundaries  of  the  said  Manor 
west  thirty  seven  chains  thence  north  forty  two  degrees  east 
one  hundred  and  thirty  six  chains  to  the  west  boundaries  of  the 
aforesaid  equivalent  lands  then  along  the  said  west  boundaries 
forty  eight  chains  to  the  aforesaid  Pond  and  then  along  the 
west  side  of  the  said  Pond  to  the  place  where  this  second  tract 
began  containing  four  hundred  and  twenty  one  acres  of  land 
and  the  usual  allowance  for  highways  the  said  two  tracts,  con- 
taining together  four  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty  five 
acres  and  the  usual  allowance  for  highways  and  reciting  that  a 
part  of  the  lands  by  the  last  recited  Letters  Patent  granted  was 
included  within  the  bounds  and  limits  of  Lot  9  before  described: 
It  is  by  the  now  reciting  Indenture  of  the  fourteenth  day  of 
April  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  one  witnessed 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  187 

that  in  consideration  of  mutual  grants  and  releases  from  the 
said  Roger  Morris  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  Beverly- 
Robinson  and  of  ten  shillings  the  said  Philip  Philipse  and  Bev- 
erly Robinson  did  grant  bargain  sell  alien  convey  release  and 
confirm  unto  the  said  Roger  Morris  his  heirs  and  assigns  all 
such  parts  of  the  said  lands  by  the  said  in  part  recited  Letters 
Patent  of  the  twenty  seventh  day  of  March  granted  as  are  in- 
cluded and  comprehended  within  the  boundaries  and  limits  of 
the  said  Lot  No  9  as  herein  and  therein  before  described  with 
the  appurtenances  except  all  mines  and  minerals  whatsoever. 
To  hold  the  same  unto  the  said  Roger  Morris  his  heirs  and  as- 
signs forever  and  Whereas  by  an  Act  of  the  third  session  of 
the  Legislature  of  New  York  passed  on  or  about  the  twenty 
second  day  of  October  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy 
nine  entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  forfeiture  and  sale  of  the 
estates  of  persons  who  have  adhered  to  the  enemies  of  this  State 
and  for  declaring  the  Sovereignty  of  the  People  of  this  State  in 
respect  to  all  property  within  the  same"  it  was  enacted  that 
sundry  persons  therein  named  and  among  others  the  said  Roger 
Morris  Beverly  Robinson  Susannah  the  wife  of  the  said  Beverly 
Robihson  and  Mary  the  wife  of  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  each 
of  them  should  be  and  they  were  thereby  severally  declared  to 
be  ipso  facto  convicted  and  attainted  of  adhering  to  the  enemies 
of  the  said  State  and  that  all  and  singular  the  estate  both  real 
and  personal  held  and  claimed  by  them  severally  and  respec- 
tively whether  in  possession  reversion  or  remainder  within  the 
State  of  New  York  on  the  day  of  passing  that  act  should  be 
and  thereby  was  declared  to  be  forfeited  to  and  vested  in  the 
People  of  the  State  and  Whereas  the  said  Roger  Morris  de- 
parted this  life  in  or  about  the  month  of  September  in  the  year 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety  four  leaving  the  said 
Mary  Morris  his  widow  him  surviving  and  which  said  Mary  Mor- 
ris his  widow  is  still  living  and  Whereas  there  were  five  children 
of  the  marriage  between  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  Mary  Morris 
that  is  to  say  the  said  Joanna  the  wife  of  the  said  Thomas  Cowper 
Hincks  Amherst  Morris  Margaret  Morris  and  the  said  Maria 
Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  And  Whereas  the  said  Margaret 
Morris  departed  this  life  in  or  about  the  year  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  sixty  six  an  infant  of  the  age  of  two  years 
or  thereabouts  and  whereas  the  said  Amherst  Morris  also  de- 
parted this  life  some  time  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hun- 


188  HISTORY   or   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

dred  and  two  intestate  and  a  batchelor  and  by  the  death  of  the 
said  Amherst  Morris  and  Margaret  Morris  as  aforesaid  the  said 
Joanna  Hincks  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  became 
and  are  now  entitled  to  the  said  lands  and  hereditaments  hereby 
released  or  intended  so  to  be  in  equal  shares  And  Whereas  the 
interests  of  the  said  Joanna  Hincks  Maria  Morris  and  Henry 
Gage  Morris  of  and  in  the  said  lands  and  heredits  are  preserved 
to  them  by  the  fifth  article  of  the  definitive  treaty  of  Peace 
between  Great  Britain  and: the  United  States  of  America  bear- 
ing  date  on  or  about  the  third  day  of  September  in  the  year  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty  three  by  which  it  was  de- 
clared that  all  persons  who  had  any  interest  in  Confiscated 
Lands  either  by  debts  marriage  settlements  or  otherwise  should 
meet  with  no  lawful  impediments  in  the  prosecution  of  their 
just  rights.      And  Whereas  all  the  lands  and  hereditaments 
mentioned  and  included  in  the  said  recited  Letters  Patent  were 
not  divided  between  the  said  Philip  Philipse  Mary  Morris  and 
Susannah  Robinson.     And  Whereas  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor 
hath  contracted  and  agreed  with  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks 
and  Joanna  Hincks  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage 
Morris  for  the  absolute  purchase  of  all  the  Estate  right  titl*  and 
interest  of  them  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna 
his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  of  in  to  or  out  of 
the   said  lands  or  hereditaments  hereinbefore   mentioned  and 
comprised  in  the  said  hereinbefore  in  part  recited  Indentures  of 
the  seventh  day  of  February  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  four  and   the   thirteenth  day  of  January  one   thousand 
•seven  hundred  and  fifty  eight   and  all  other  their  lands  and 
hereditaments  in  the  Dutchess  county  aforesaid  subject  to  the 
interest  of  the  said  State  of  New  York  or  their  Grantees  therein 
for  the  life  of  the  said  Mary  Morris  and  all  other  interests  or 
claims  conditions  or  consequences  to  which  the  same  or  any  part 
thereof  may  can  or  shall  be  legally  subject  by  reason  or  means 
of  the  said  hereinbefore  mentioned  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
I^ew  York  at  or  for  the  price  or  sum  of  twenty  thousand  j)Ounds 
Now  this  Indenture  Witnesseth  that  in  consideration  of  the  said 
sum  of  Twenty  Thousand  Pounds  of  lawful  money  current  in 
Great  Britain  to  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna 
his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  well  and  truly 
paid  by  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor  immediately  before  the  exe- 
cution of  these  presents  in  equal  shares  and  proportions  the 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  189 

receipt  of  which  said  sum  of  twenty  thousand  pounds 
they  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna  his 
wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  do  hereby 
respectively  acknowledge  and  thereof  and  of  and  from  the 
same  and  every  part  thereof  do  and  each  and  every  of  them 
doth  acquit  release  and  discharge  the  said  John  Jacob  As  tor 
his  heirs  executors  administrators  and  assigns  and  every  of 
them  for  ever  they  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks -and  Joanna 
his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  according  to  their 
several  and  respective  shares  estates  rights  and  interests  but 
not  further  or  otherwise  Have  each  and  every  of  them  hath 
granted  bargained  sold  aliened  released  and  confirmed  and  by 
these  presents  do  and  each  and  every  of  them  Doth  grant  bar- 
gain sell  alien  release  and  confirm  unto  the  said  John  Jacob 
Astor  his  heirs  and  assigns  in  the  actual  possession  of  said 
John  Jacob  Astor  now  being  by  virtue  of  a  bargain  and  sale 
thereof  made  to  him  by  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and 
Joanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  in  con- 
sideration of  five  shillings  paid  to  each  of  them  by  the  said 
John  Jacob  Astor  by  Indenture  bearing  date  the  day  next  be- 
fore the  day  of  the  date  of  these  presents  for  one  whole  year 
commencing  from  the  day  next  before  the  day  of  the  date  of 
the  same  Indenture  of  bargain  and  sale  and  by  force  of  the 
statute  made  for  transferring  uses  into  possession  all  and 
singular  the  lands  and  hereditaments  herein  before  particularly 
mentioned  and  described  and  by  the  said  herein  before  in  part 
recited  Indenture  of  the  seventh  day  of  February  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  four  allotted  to  the  said  Mary  Morris 
her  heirs  and  assigns  and  also  all  and  singular  other  the  Lands 
and  hereditaments  comprized  in  the  said  herein  before  in  part 
recited  Indenture  of  the  thirteenth  day  of  January  one  thous- 
and seven  hundred  and  fifty  eight  and  all  other  their  lands  and 
hereditaments  in  Dutchess  county  aforesaid  with  their  and 
every  of  their  rights  members  and  appurtenances  subject  Never- 
theless to  the  Estate  vested  in  the  said  government  of  New 
Y  ork  or  their  grantees  for  the  life  of  the  said  Mary  Morris  and 
all  other  interests  and  claims  conditions  or  consequences  to 
which  the  same  or  any  part  thereof  may  can  or  shall  be  legally 
subject  by  reason  or  means  of  the  said  act  of  the  Legislature  of 
New  York  as  aforesaid  and  all  houses  cottages  outhouses 
edifices  buildings  closes  of  land  meadow  and  pasture  woods 


190  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  underwoods  and  the  ground  and  soil  thereof  hedges  ditches 
fences  mounds  ways  paths  passages  waters  land  covered  with 
water  watercourses  liberties  privileges  easements  profits  com- 
modities advantages  emoluments  and  appurtenances  whatsoever 
to  the  said  land  and  hereditaments  released  or  intended  so  to 
be  or  any  of  them  respectively  belonging  or  in  anywise  apper- 
taining or  accepted  reputed  redeemed  taken  known  held  oc- 
cupied or  enjoyed  as  part  parcel  or  member  of  the  same  or  of 
any  of  them  respectively  and  the  reversion  and  reversions  re- 
mainder and  remainders  yearly  and  other  rents  issues  and  pro- 
fits thereof  and  of  every  part  thereof  and  all  the  Estate  right 
title  interest  use  trust  inheritance  term  and  terms  for  years  and 
for  life  or  lives  property  possession  benefit  and  equity  of  re- 
demption claim  and  demand  whatsoever  at  law  or  in  equity  of 
them  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and   Joanna  his  wife 
Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  and  each  and  every  of 
them  respectively  of  in  to  and  out  of  the  same  land  and  here- 
ditaments and  every  part  thereof  with  the  appurtenances  and 
all  deeds  papers  writings  and  muniments  of  title  whatsoever 
relating  to  or  in  any  wise  concerning  the  same  or  any  of  them 
as  are  now  in  the  custody  possession  or  power  of  the   said 
Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and 
Henry  Gage  Morris  or  any  or  either  of  them  and  they  or  any 
or  either  of  them  can  or  may  obtain  without  suit  at  Law  or  in 
Equity  To  have  and  to  hold  the  aforesaid  tract  of  Land  heredi- 
taments and  all  and  singular  other  the  premises  herein  before 
mentioned  and  described  and  hereby  released   or  otherwise 
assured  or  intended  so  to  be  and  every  part  and  parcel  of  the 
same  with  their  and  every  of  their  rights  members  and  ap- 
purtenances   subject   nevertheless    as   aforesaid  unto  the  said 
John  Jacob  Astor  his  heirs  and  assigns   To  the  only  proper 
use    Of    the    said    John    Jacob    Astor    his    heirs    and    as- 
signs   forever  and    to    and    for    no    other   use    trust    intent 
or  purpose  whatsoever  And  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks 
doth  hereby  for  himself  his  heirs  executors  and  administrators 
and  only  as  to  and  concerning  the  estate  and  interest  of  him  the 
said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  of  the  said  Joanna  Hincks  his 
wife  in  the  premises  and  his  and  her  acts  deeds  and  defaults 
only  And  the  said  Maria  Morris  doth  hereby  for  herself  her 
heirs  executors  and  administrators  and  only  as  to  and  concern- 
ing her  estate  and  interest  in  the  premises  and  the  acts  deeds 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  191 

and  defaults  relating  thereto  And  the  said  Henry  Gage  Morris 
doth  hereby  for  himself  his  heirs  executors  and  administrators 
and  only  as  to  and  concerning  the  estate  and  interest  of  him 
the  said  Henry  Gage  Morris  in  the  premises  and  his  acts  deeds 
and  defaults  relating  thereto  covenant  promise  and  agree  to  and 
with  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor  his  heirs  and  assigns  that  not- 
withstanding any  act  deed  matter  or  thing  whatsoever  made 
done  permitted  or  suffered  to  the  contrary  by  them  the  said 
Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna  his  wife  Mary  Morris  and 
Henry  Gage  Morris  or  any  or  either  of  them  they  the  said 
Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and 
Henry  Gage  Morris  now  have  in  themselves  good  right  full 
power  and  lawful  and  absolute  authority  by  these  Presents  to 
grant  release  and  confirm  the  said  land  and  hereditaments  here- 
by released  or  intended  so  to  be  and  every  part  and  parcel  of 
the  same  with  the  appurtenances  unto  and  to  the  use  of  the 
said  John  Jacob  Astor  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  in  manner 
aforesaid  and  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  these 
Presents  and  that  free  and  clear  and  freely  and  clearly  and  ab- 
solutely acquitted  exonerated  released  and  discharged  or  other- 
wise by  them  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna  his 
wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  their  heirs  executors 
or  administrators  at  their  some  or  one  of  their  costs  and  charges 
in  all  things  well  and  snfliciently  protected  defended  saved 
harmless  and  kept  indemnified  of  from  and  against  all  and  all 
manner  of  former  and  other  gifts  grants  feffments  mortgages 
leases  bargains  sales  Jointures  dower  right  and  title  of  dower 
trusts  Estates  titles  troubles  charges  leins  and  incumbrances 
whatsoever  at  any  time  or  times  heretofore  and  to  be  any  time 
and  from  time  hereafter  had  made  doqe  committed  occasioned 
permitted  or  suffered  by  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and 
Joanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  or  any  or 
either  of  them  or  any  person  or  persons  whomsoever  rightfully 
claiming  or  to  claim  by  from  through  under  or  in  trust  for  them 
or  any  or  either  of  them  or  by  his  their  or  any  or  either  of  their 
acts  means  consent  default  privity  or  procurement  (The  rents 
reserved  in  respect  of  the  said  premises  only  excepted)  and 
moreover  that  they  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Jo- 
anna his  wife  Mary  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris  and  their 
heirs  and  all  persons  whosoever  lawfully  or  equitably  and 
rightfully   claiming  or  to  claim  any  estate  right    title   trust 


192  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAJL   COUNTY. 

charge  or  interest  at  law  or  in  equity  of  into  or  out  of  or  upon 
the  said  land  and  hereditaments  by  from  under  or  in  trust  for 
them  (except  as  aforesaid)  shall  and  will  from  time  to  time  and 
at  all  times  hereafter  upon  every  reasonable  request  and  at  the 
costs  and  charges  in  all  things  of  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor 
his  heirs  or  assigns  make  do  acknowledge  levy  suffer  execute 
and  perfect  or  cause  or  procure  to  be  made  done  acknowledged 
levied  suffered  executed  and  perfected  all  such  further  and 
other  lawful  and  reasonable  acts  deeds  devices  conveyances  and 
assurances  in  the  law  whatsoever  for  the  further  better  more 
perfectly  absolutely  or  satisfactorily  granting  releasing  confirm- 
ing or  otherwise  assuring  the  said  land  and  hereditaments 
hereby  released  or  otherwise  assured  or  intended  so  to  be  and 
every  part  and  parcel  of  the  same  with  the  appurtenances 
(subject  as  aforesaid)  unto  and  to  the  use  of  the  said  John 
Jacob  Astor  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  according  to  the 
true  intent  and  meaning  of  these  presents  as  by  the  said  John 
Jacob  Astor  his  heirs  or  assigns  or  his  or  their  counsel  learned 
in  the  law  and  resident  in  England  shall  be  reasonably  advised 
devised  or  required  and  be  tendered  to  be  made  done  and  exe- 
cuted so  as  for  the  making  or  doing  thereof  they  shall  not  re- 
spectively be  required  to  go  or  travel  from  their  respective 
usual  place  of  abode. 

"In  witness  whereof  the  said  parties  to  these  presents  have 
hereunto  set  their  hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year  first  above 
written. 

"Thomas  Cowper  Hincks.  (L.  S.) 
"Joanna  Hincks.  (L.  S.) 

"Maria  Morris.  (L.  S.) 

"Henry  Gage  Morris.         (L.  S.) 

"  Signed  sealed  and  delivered  by  the  within  named  Thomas 
Cowper  Hincks  and  Joanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry 
Grage  Morris  in  the  presence  of  us 

"M.  S.  Parnther, 

London  Street. 
"  Richard  Grose  Burfoot, 

Same  place." 

After  making  this  purchase,  Astor  sent  an  agent  to  notify  the 
settlers  of  these  lands  of  his  purchase  and  claims,  but  no  legal 
steps  were  taken  by  him  until  by  the  death  of  Mary  Morris,  in 


GENERAL   HISTORY,  193 

1825,  his  tifle  acquired  full  force  and  power,  and  a  suit  was  then 
begun  in  the  United  States  Court. 

The  deeds  which  had  been  given  by  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feitures were  by  law  construed  as  full  covenant  warranty  deeds, 
and  the  Stale  was  tlius.put  under  obligation  to  defend  the  suit 
which  might  be  brought  by  Astor  against  any  of  the  occupants 
of  the  lands,  for  ejectment.  Accordingly  an  act  was  passed 
April  16th,  1827,  "  To  extinguish  the  claim  of  John  Jacob  Astor 
and  others,  and  to  quiet  the  possession  of  certain  lands  in  the 
counties  of  Putnam  and  Dutchess."  By  the  provisions  of  this 
act  it  was  agreed  that  if  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  should 
decide  in  favor  of  Astor' s  claim,  that  then  the  State  should  pay 
in  extinguishment  of  the  title  the  sum  of  $250,000  and  if  the 
court  should  decide  that  Astor  was  entitled  to  the  lands  with 
all  the  improvements,  then  the  State  should  pay  the  sum  of 
1450,000,  and  the  act  to  be  in  force  in  case  Astor  and  his  asso- 
ciates should  accept  these  terms  in  a  formal  manner,  within  the 
term  of  six  months  after  its  passage,  and  as  a  test  of  the  claim, 
five  suits  in  ejectment  should  be  prosecuted  to  judgment  in  the 
Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States,  and  the  judgments  presented 
by  writs  of  error  to  the  Supreme  Court  for  final  determination, 
and  if  any  three  of  the  five  suits  should  be  decided  in  the  favor 
of  Astor  he  should  be  entitled  to  the  sum  named,  which  should 
be  paid  in  certificates  of  public  stock. 

These  terms  were  not  accepted  and  the  case  came  to  trial  in 
the  United  States  Circuit  Court,  in  New  York,  November  7th, 
1827.  Suits  were  begun  against  James  Carver,  who  was  in  pos- 
session of  a  farm  on  Lot  5,  which  was  sold  to  his  father,  Tim- 
othy Carver,  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures;  Samuel  Kelly, 
who  held  a  farm  on  Lot  9,  in  the  town  of  Southeast;  and  Na- 
thaniel Crane,  who  also  lived  on  Lot  5. 

The  case,  which  attracted  great  attention,  came  to  trial  No- 
vember 7th,  1827.  The  following  is  the  title  of  a  printed 
report  of  the  case,  copies  of  which  are  extremely  rare. 

''■Keport  of  the  Trial  before  Judges  Thompson  and  Betts  in 
the  Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southern  Dis- 
trict, of  New  York  in  the  case  of  James  Jackson  ex  dem. 
Theodosius  Fowler  and  others  vs  James  Carver  including  the 
claims  of  John  Jacob  Astor  to  lands  in  Putnam  County  with 
Arguments  of  Counsel  arid  the  charge  of  Judge  Thompson  by 

13 


194  HISTORY    OF   PCTTNAM   COUNTY. 

Edward  V.  Sparliawk  reported  to   the  N.  Y.  American   New 
York  1827." 
Of  this  report  we  present  the  following  brief  abstract: 

"  Circl^it  Court  of  the  U.  S.  for  the  Southern 
District  of  N.  Y. 

"James  Jackson  ex  dem.  Theodosius  Fowler  Tho.  Cowper 
Hincks  and  Joanna  his  wife  Mary  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris 
vs.  James  Carver. 

"Counsel  for  Plaintiff,  Messrs  Oakley,  Hoffman,  Emmett, 
Piatt,  and  Ogden.  For  Defendant  Messrs  Talcott  Attorney  Gen- 
eral, Webster,  Van  Buren,  Ogden  Hoffman  and  Cowls. 

"  The  defendant  confessed  lease,  entry  and  ouster.  Mr.  Oak- 
ley opened  the  case  for  Plaintiff. 

"  The  Patent  of  Adolph  Philipse  was  introduced  m  evidence, 
and  the  line  of  descent  of  the  children  of  Mary  Morris  was 
shown. 

"  Col.  Tho.  Barclay,  Witness,  testified  that  he  knew  the  fam- 
ily of  Roger  Morris.  His  children  were  Amherst,  Joanna, 
Henry  Gage,  and  Maria,  who  were  all  born  before  1774.  Joanna 
was  10  years  old  in  1774.  Amherst  was  a  lieutenant  in  the 
Royal  Navy  at  the  time  of  the  peace  in  1783.     Henry  Gage  was 

6  or  7  years  old  before  the  war.     In  1783,  he  was  13  or  14  years 
old. 

"Henry  Livingston  witness,  was  called  to  produce  map  and 
show  location  of  premises.  It  was  admitted  that  James  Carver 
was  in  possession  of  farm  in  Lot  No.  5. 

"  The  Attorney  General  opened  for  the  defence,  and  read  the 
bill  of  Attainder  against  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife. 

"  Daniel  Cole,  Witness,  testifies  that  he  is  79  years  old  and 
that  he  and  his  father  before  him,  were  tenants  on  Lot  No.  5 
and  held  under  Roger  Morris. 

"Beverly  Robinson  testifies  that  his  grandfather,  Beverly 
Robinson,  died  about  1795,  that  Timothy  Carver  was  the  father 
of  James  Carver  the  defendant.  He  purchased  the  farm'  of  one 
Cheeseman,  who  had  it  from  one  Serrin. 

"Barnabas  Carver  testifies  that  he  is  uncle  to  the  defendant 
James  Carver,  and  that  Timothy  Carver  was  his  brother. 

"Daniel  Cole  testifies  that  Timothy  Carver  bought  the  im- 
provement of  the  farm  of  one  Cheeseman  during  the  war,  and 
that  he  built  a  log  house  there  at   the  close  of  the  war  and 

'  That  is  purchased  the  improvement  of  the  farm  from  the  former  lessee. 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  195 

cleaved  up  more  land,  and  he  died  three  years  ago.  The  ten- 
ants used  to  buy  and  sell  among  themselves  before  the  war  the 
improvements  on  the  farms  they  held  as  tenants.  Wm.  Hill, 
James  Rhodes  and  Hackaliah  Merrit's  father'  bought  land  from 
Morris  before  the  war. 

"  Enoch  Crosby  testifies  that  he  has  lived  on  the  Patent  70 
years.  In  1782,  he  went  to  live  on  Lot  9,  and  there  were  about 
150  families  on  Lots  5  and  9  before  the  war  as  tenants  of  Roger 
Morris. 

"Isaac  Hill  testifies  that  he  is  69,  and  has  lived  all  his  life 
on  Lot  9.     His  brother  Solomon  died  12  years  ago. 

"Nicholas  Agor  says  he  is 58,  and  has  lived  on  Lot  5  all  his 
life  his  father  lived  there  70  years  ago. 

"Joseph  Cole  says  he  is  52  and  lives  on  Lot  5  his  father 
lived  there  before  him  and  he  bought  the  farm  of  his  father  in 
1802  or  1803. 

"  Wm.  Hill  says  that  he  lives  on  Lot  5  and  about  20  years 
ago  he  sold  a  farm  there.  He  bought  of  his  father  30  years  ago. 
He  produced  a  deed  from  Roger  Morris  to  Wm.  Hill  dated  1771, 
and  says  his  sisters  Betsy  and  Deborah  live  on  the  farm. 

"  Ebenezer  Boyd  says  that  he  lives  in  Kent  on  Lot  5. 

"Noah  Hill  says  that  he  is  74,  and  never  heard  of  Astor's 
claims  till  he  sent  an  agent  to  notify  settlers  of  his  claims,  15 
years  ago. 

"Judah  Kelly  says  he  lived  on  Lot  6,  46 'years  and  never 
heard  of  Astor's  claims. 

"  Tho.  Lownsbury  says  he  is  54,  and  has  a  farm  on  Lot  5. 

"Benjamin  Cole  says  he  is  58,  and  owns  a  farm  on  Lot  5, 
which  he  had  from  his  father,  who  had  it  from  his  father  Elisha 
Cole.     Says  he  has  two  brothers  Levi  and  Joseph. 

"Col.  Tho.  Barclay  says  that  he  knew  Beverly  Robinson, 
and  that  he  lived  in  New  York  till  1764  or  5,  and  that  he  then 
went  to  the  Highlands  and  lived  there  till  1779  and  afterwards 
went  to  England.  Roger  Morris  also  had  a  cottage  on  his  lands 
where  he  often  went  to  look  after  his  rents.  He  resided  in 
New  York  and  went  to  England  in  1782. 

"  Hon.  Egbert  Benson,  says  that  when  returning  from  Con- 
gress in  1784  he  stopped  at  the  house  of  Gov.  Wm.  Livingston 
at  Elizabethtown,  and  that  he  was  shown  by  him  the  marriage 
settlement  and  deeds.     He  also  says  that  he  was  a  member  of 

'  Joseph  Men-itt. 


196  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  Legislature  and  drew  the  bill  of  Attainder  and  at  that  time 
he  had  never  heard  of  the  marriage  settlement. 

"  Josiah  Ogden  Hoffman  was  called  to  testify  as  to  the  hand- 
writing of  Grov.  Livingston. 

"  Egbert  Benson  and  Henry  Livingston  were  called  as  wit- 
nesses to  prove  that  it  was  not  customary  to  record  leases,  in 
cases  of  sale  by  lease  and  release." 

On  Saturday,  November  10th,  Mr.  Van  Buren  began  sum- 
ming up  for  the  defense  and  was  followed  by  Mr.  Webster.. 
Mr.  Ogden  began  summing  up  for  the  plaintiff  and  was  followed 
by  Mr.  Emmett  on  Monday  morning. 

The  charge  was  given  to  the  jury  by  Judge  Thompson,  and 
the  jury,  after  retiring  for  deliberation,  returned  a  verdict  for 
the  plaintiff. 

From  this  decision  an  appeal  was  taken  to  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States.  The  case  was  duly  considered  by  the 
venerable  Chief  Justice  John  Marshall,  and  his  associate  jus- 
tices, and  the  judgment  sustained.  As  to  the  question  whether 
the  plaintiff  should  be  requested  to  pay  for  the  improvements 
made  upon  the  lands,  the  court  decided  in  the  negative,  stating 
"  that  the  principle  that  a  person  should  be  required  to  pay 
for  improvements  made  upon  his  land  without  his  consent,  is 
one  that  this  Court  is  not  prepared  to  admit." 

While  these  cases  were  pending  an  act  was  passed  "  to  revive 
and  amend  the  Act  to  extinguish  the  claim  of  John  Jacob  Astor, 
and  to  quiet  the  possession  of  certain  lands  in  Putnam  and 
Dutchess  Counties."  This  act,  which  was  passed  April  19th, 
1828,  revived  the  act  of  1827,  and  allowed  thirty  days  for  the 
acceptance  of  the  terms  proposed  in  that  act.  It  also  made  it 
the  duty  of  the  attorney  general  to  obtain  the  decision  of  the 
Supreme  Court  as  to  whether  the  improvements  on  the  lands 
were  to  be  paid  for,  and  provided  that  Astor  and  his  associates 
should  not  be  entitled  to  a  verdict  unless  it  could  be  shown 
that  all  the  right  and  title  of  Mary  Morris  and  her  children  was 
duly  vested  in  Astor  and  the  other  claimants.  The  provisions 
of  this  act  were  accepted  and  an  instrument  for  that  purpose 
was  duly  executed,  and  in  1828  all  the  right,  title  and  interest 

'  Great  stress  was  laid  by  the  lawyers  for  the  defense  upon  the  fact,  that 
although  a  lease  for  one  whole  year  is  mentioned  in  the  trust  deed  of  the  mar- 
riage settlement  of  Mary  Morris,  yet  it  was  not  recorded,  nor  could  the  original 
be  found. 


GENERAL  HISTOKY.  197 

of  Astor  and  his  associates  in  the  lands  in  question  were  duly 
transferred  to  the  State  by  the  following  deed: 

"This  Indenture,  made  the  first  day  of  May  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-eight  between 
John  Jacob  Astor,  of  Hoboken  in  the  County  of  Bergen  and 
State  of  New  Jersey,  Esquire,  and  Sarah  his  wife  of  the  first 
part,  Theodosius  Fowler  of  Perth  Amboy  in  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  Esquire  and  Maria  his  wife  of  the  second  part,  Cad- 
wallader  D.  Golden,  of  the  City  of  New  York  Esquire,  and 
Maria  his  wife  of  the  third  part,  Cornelius  I.  Bogert  of  the  town 
of  Jamaica  in  the  county  of  Queens,  and  State  of  New  York, 
Esquire,  and  Susannah  his  wife  of  the  fourth  part,  and  the 
People  of  the  State  of  New  York  of  the  fifth  part." 

The  deed,  which  is  of  great  length,  goes  on  to  recite  the  facts 
that  Mary  Philipse  was  the  original  owner  of  the  lands;  that 
a  deed  of  marriage  settlement  was  made  in  1758,  which  is  given 
in  full;  that  the  marriage  with  Roger  Morris  was  solemnized, 
and  describing  the  various  lots  of  land,  showed  their  descent 
to  the  children  of  Mary  Morris  and  their  sale  to  John  Jacob 
Astor,  and  mentioned  the  death  of  Roger  Morris  in  1795,  and  of 
his  wife  July  18th,  1825,  and  then  proceeds  as  follows: 

"And  Whereas,  by  sundry  mesne  conveyances,  the  said 
Theodosius  Fowler  party  hereto  of  the  second  part  hath  become 
and  is  now  lawfully  seized  in  and  entitled  in  fee  simple  to  two 
equal  undivided  fifth  parts  of  one  equal  undivided  eighth  part 
of  all  the  said  lands  tenements  and  hereditaments,  with  the  ap- 
purtenances so  as  aforesaid  granted  and  conveyed  by  the  said 
Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Johanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and 
Henry  Gage  Morris  to  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor,  And  Where- 
as, the  said  Cadwallader  D.  Colden,  party  hereto  of  the  third 
part,  by  sundry  mesne  conveyances,  hath  become  and 
now  is  lawfully  seized  in  and  entitled  in  fee  simple 
to  one  equal  undivided  half  of  one  fifth  of  one  eighth 
part  of  all  the  said  lands  tenements  and  heredita- 
ments with  the  appurtenances  so  as  aforesaid  gi-anted 
and  conveyed  by  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and 
Johanna  his  wife  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Gage  Morris,  to  the 
said  John  Jacob  Astor,  And  Whereas  the  said  Cornelius  I. 
Bogert,  party  hereto  of  the  fourth  part  by  sundry  mesne  con- 
veyances, hath  become  and  now  is  lawfully  seized  in  and  en- 
titled in  fee  simple  to  one  equal  undivided  half  of  one  fifth  of 


198  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

one  eighth  of  all  the  said  lands,  tenements  and  hereditaments 
with  the  appurtenances  so  as  aforesaid  granted  and  conveyed 
by  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and  Johanna  his  wife,  Maria 
Morris  and  Henry  G-age  Morris,  to  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor, 
And  Whereas,  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor,  now  holds  and  retains 
in  fee  simple  three  equal  undivided  quarter  parts  and  one  equal 
undivided  eighth  part  and  two  equal  undivided  fifth  parts  of 
one  eighth  of  the  whole  of  the  said  lands,  tenements,  and 
hereditaments,  with  the  appurtenances  so  as  aforesaid  granted 
and  conveyed  to  him  by  the  said  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks  and 
Johanna  his  wife,  Maria  Morris  and  Henry  Grage  Morris.  Now 
this  Indenture  Witnesseth,  that  the  said  parties  of  the  first, 
second,  third  and  fourth  parts  respectively  for  and  in  consid- 
eration of  ten  dollars  to  them  in  hand  paid,  the  receipt  whereof 
is  hereby  acknowledged,  and  in  compliance  with  the  terms  and 
provisions  of  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New 
York  passed  the  sixteenth  day  of  April,  in  the  year  one  thous- 
and eight  hundred  and  twenty-seven  entitled  "  An  Act  to  ex- 
tinguish the  claim  of  John  Jacob  Astor  and  others,  and  to  quiet 
the  possession  of  certain  lands  in  the  counties  of  Putnam  and 
Dutchess  "  and  the  act  of  the  said  Legislature  passed  the  nine- 
teenth day  of  April  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  entitled  "An  Act  to  revive  and  amend  an  act 
entitled  '  an  act  to  extinguish  the  claim  of  John  Jacob  Astor 
and  others,  and  to  quiet  the  possession  of  certain  lands  in  the 
counties  of  Putnam  and  Dutchess'  passed  April  16th,  1827." 
Have  Granted,  bargained,  sold,  aliened,  released  and  conveyed 
and  by  these  presents  do  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  release  and 
convey  unto  the  people  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  their  suc- 
cessors and  assigns  forever,  all  those  certain  lands  in  the  counties 
of  Putnam  and  Dutchess,  heretofore  sold  by  the  people  of  this 
State  as  forfeited  by  the  attainder  of  Roger  Morris  and  Mary 
his  wife  and  which  lands  are  more  particularly  described  in  a 
conveyance  of  marriage  settlement  made  the  fourteenth  day  of 
January,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  by  and 
between  Mary  Philipse  of  the  first  part  Major  Roger  Morris  of 
the  second  part  and  Johanna  Philipse  and  Beverly  Robinson  of 
the  third  part,  and  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of 
this  State,  on  the  eleventh  day  of  April,  seventeen  hundred  and 
eighty  seven  being  the  same  instrument  or  deed  of  marriage 
settlement  which  is  herein  set  forth  and  recited,  as  by  reference 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  199 

to  the  boundaries  and  description  of  said  lands  in  said  deed  of 
marriage  settlement,  will  fully  and  at  large  appear.  Together 
with  all  and  singular,  the  houses,  buildings,  improvements, 
hereditaments  and  appurtenances  thereto  belonging  or  in  any 
wise  appertaining  and  also  all  the  right,  title,  interest,  estate, 
property,  dower  right  or  title  of  dower,  claim  and  demand  in 
Law  of  Equity  of  them  the  said  parties  of  the  first,  second, 
third  and  fourth  parts,  or  any  or  either  of  them  of  in  or  to  the 
said  lands  or  premises  or  any  part  thereof,  with  the  appurte- 
nances, and  the  reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and 
remainders,  rents,  issues  and  profits  thereof,  and  of  every  part 
and  parcel  thereof  And  Also  all  the  right  title,  interest,  claim 
and  demand  in  Law  of  Equity,  which  now  is  or  heretofore  has 
been  of  the  heirs  children  and  issue  of  the  said  Roger  Morris 
and  his  wife  Mary,  of  in  and  to  the  land,  tenements  and  prem- 
ises aforesaid  subject  nevertheless,  to  the  power  in  the  said  deed 
of  marriage  settlement  contained  and  reserved,  whereby  the  said 
Roger  Morris  and  Mary  his  wife,  were  authorized  to  sell  and 
convey  in  fee  simple  any  part  of  said  lands,  not  exceeding 
in  all  the  value  of  three  thousand  pounds,  and  excepting 
and  reserving  in  this  conveyance,  the  lands  which  were  lawfully 
sold  and  conveyed  by  the  said  Roger  Morris  and  Mary  his  wife, 
under  and  by  virtue  of  said  power,  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said 
lands,  tenements,  hereditaments  and  premises  hereby  granted, 
with  the  appurtenances,  unto  the  people  of  the  State  of  New 
York  and  their  successors  and  assigns,  to  the  only  proper  use, 
benefit  and  behoof  of  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
their  successors  and  assigns  forever:  And  the  said  John  Jacob 
Astor,  as  party  hereto  of  the  first  part,  the  said  Theodosius 
Fowler,  as  party  hereto  of  the  second  part,  the  said  Cadwalla- 
der  D.  Golden,  as  party  hereto  of  the  Ihird  part,  and  the  said 
Cornelius  I.  Bogert,  as  party  hereto  of  the  fourth  part,  do 
severally  and  for  their  respective  heirs,  executors  and  adminis- 
trators, hereby  covenant  to  and  with  the  people  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  their  successors  and  assigns,  that  the  above 
bargained  premises,  with  the  appurtenances  in  the  quiet  and 
peaceable  possession  and  enjoyment  of  the  people  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  and  their  successors  and  assigns  against  all 
and  every  person  or  persons,  lawfully  claiming  or  to  claim,  by, 
through,  or  under  them  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor,  Theodosius 
Fowler,  Cadwallader  D.  Colden  and  Cornelius  I.  Bogert,  or  any 


200  HISTOEY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

or  either  of  them,  they  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor,  Theodosius 
Fowler,  Cadwallader  D.  Golden,  and  Cornelius  I.  Bogert  and 
their  respective  heirs,  executors  and  administrators  shall  and 
will  warrant  and  forever  defend,  and  the  said  John  Jacob 
Astor,  as  party  hereto  of  the  first  part,  the  said  Theodosius 
Fowler,  as  party  hereto  of  the  second  part,  the  said  Cadwalla- 
der D.  Colden,  as  party  hereto  of  the  third  part,  and  the  said 
Cornelius  I.  Bogert,  as  party  hereto  of  the  fourth  part,  do  sev- 
erally and  for  their  respective  heirs  and  administrators,  hereby 
covenant  to  and  with  the  people  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and 
their  successors  and  assigns  that  they,  the  said  John  Jacob 
Astor,  Theodosius  Fowler,  Cadwallader  D.  Colden  and  Cor- 
nelius I.  Bogert,  and  their  respective  heirs,  executors  and  ad- 
ministrators, shall  and  will  forever  warrant  and  defend,  the 
people  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  all  and  every  person  or 
persons  who  has  or  have  derived,  or  who  shall  derive  title  from 
the  people  of  this  State,  against  any  claim  at  Law  or  in  equity 
of  the  heirs  children  and  issue  of  Roger  Morris  and  Mary  his 
wife,  and  of  every  person,  claiming  or  to  claim  under  them  or 
either  of  them  of  in  or  to  the  said  premises,  lands  and  tene- 
ments or  any  part  thereof  The  covenants  herein  contained  are 
to  be  deemed  and  construed  as  several  and  not  joint,  that  is  to 
say:  each  of  the  said  John  Jacob  Astor,  Theodosius  Fowler, 
Cadwallader  D.  Colden  and  Cornelius  I.  Bogert,  covenants  for 
and  in  relation  to  his  own  share  or  proportion  of  said  lands 
and  premises  and  not  for  the  other  or  others  of   them. 

"  In  Witness  Whereof  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  of 
the  second  part,  of  the  third  part  and  of  the  fourth  part  have 
hereto  set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above 
written. 

"John  Jacob  Astor.  (L.  S.) 

"Sarah  Astor.  (L.  S.) 

"Theod.  Fowler.  (L.  S.) 

"Maria  Fowler.  (L.  S.) 

"  Cadwallader  D. Cold  EN.  (L.  S.) 
"  Maria  Colden.  (L.  S.) 

"Cornelius  I.  Bogert.        (L.  S.) 
"Susan  Bogert.  (L.  S.)" 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  suits,  an  act  was  passed,  April  5th, 
1832,  "Authorizing  and  directing  the  final  settlement  of  ihe 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  201 

claims  of  John  Jacob  Astor  against  this  State;  "  and  according 
to  its  provisions,  stock  certificates,  to  the  amount  of  $450,000, 
with  interest,  were  issued  and  paid  to  Astor,  who  thereupon 
executed  proper  discharges  to  the  people  of  the  State,  and  to 
the  defendants,  James  Carver,  Samuel  Kelly  and  Nathaniel 
Crane,  in  satisfaction  of  judgment,  and  the  case  that  had 
troubled  Putnam  county  and  the  State  so  long,  came  to  a  final 
end. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

PUTNAM  COUNTY  DURING  THE  CIVIL  WAR. 


REVISED  BY  GEN.  WILLIAM  H.  MOEEIS. 


THE  files  of  the  local  newspapers  give  the  true  history  of 
the  times,  and  present  a  fair  picture  of  passing  events. 

January  19th,  1861.  "Col.  Ryder,  of  Peekskill  has  notified 
his  companies  of  militia  to  prepare  for  active  service  and  to 
secure  the  requisite  supply  of  ammunition." 

Meetings  of  citizens  in  various  villages  of  the  county  were 
reported.  A  flag  raising  on  the  farm  of  S.  K.  Ferris.  A  public 
meeting  at  Red  Mills,  at  which  Leonard  Clift  was  chairman, 
was  held  April  26th. 

"Military  matters  in  Putnam  Co. :  Head  Quarters  of  the 
Engineer  Co.,  18th  Regt.,  Cold  Spring,  April  22d.  The  follow- 
ing volunteers  have  joined  the  Engineer  Corps  since  orders  were 
issued  by  Col.  James  Ryder,  and  recruited  by  Capt.  Sylvester  B. 
TruesdeD,  at  Cold  Spring  :  Albert  N.  Baxter,  Lewis  N.  Squires, 
Isaac  Ferris,  Robinson  Hopper,  W.  H.  Warren,  Nelson  Devoe, 
Benj.  Van  Tassel,  Perry  Ferris,  James  Caldwell,  O.  Smith, 
Charles  Purdy,Wm.  B.  Bloomer,  Wm.  H.  Odell,  Michael  Speed- 
ling,  Orin  B.  Nelson,  Daniel  Hopper,  George  Hopper,  Albert 
Wright,  Henry  Brewer,  Charles  E.  Turner,  Henry  Dore, 
Chauncey  Garrison,  Charles  Barton,  Edward  Sweeney,  Charles 
Rogers,  Isaac  Van  Tassel." 

"April  22d.  The  old  members  of  the  Corps  number  about  20 
besides  the  Captain.  We  hear  that  the  members  of  the  Corps  at 
Carmel  are  astir  and  have  enrolled  20  volunteers,  who  will  be 
ready  at  the  call  of  the  Colonel." 

"  May  11th.  Carmel  Volunteers.  On  last  Monday  five  men 
left  this  village  for  New  York  to  join  the  2nd  Regt.,  Scott's 
Life  Guards,  commanded  by  Col.  J.  H.  Hobart  Ward.     Their 


GEKEEAL   HISTORY.  203 

names  are  Willis  Norris,  Joseph  Robinson,  Isaac  Lockwood, 
Francis  Gregory  and  Crane  Hopkins.  Wm.  Bailey,  youngest 
son  of  Hon.  B.  Bailey,  had  previously  Joined.  Joseph  Shaw 
and  John  Cox  had  previously  enlisted,  the  latter  in  a  Brooklyn 
Regiment." 

"Aug.  3rd,  brings  the  sad  news  o:f  Philo  E.  Lewis,  of  Patter- 
son, reported  killed  at  Bull  Run.  Samuel  Hart  of  Kent  missing. 
Wm.  F.  Bailey  and  Jeremiah  W.  Hazen  were  sick  in  hospital 
at  Alexandria,  also  Joseph  Shaw." 

Liberal  minded  and  patriotic  ladies  had  forwarded  various 
needful  articles,  which  reached  the  camp  of  the  38  th  Regiment 
at  Camp  Scott,  near  Shuters  Hill,  July,  1861. 

"Aug.  17th.  Samuel  E.  Hart  reported  a  prisoner  at  Rich- 
mond. Capt.  Jeremiah  Sherwood,  of  Garrisons,  who  is  attached 
to  Col.  Serrels  Regt.  visited  Cold  Spring  and  Brewster  for  the 
purpose  of  recruiting  his  Company.  Ex  judge  Parrott,  of 
West  Point  Foundry  Mill  will  furnish  a  battery  of  six  rifled 
cannon,  which  is  to  accompany  the  Regiment.  Capt.  Sherwood 
has  served  in  the  artillery  and  infantry  and  was  for  three  years 
in  the  regular  army,  and  was  stationed  in  California  during  the 
Mexican  War." 

"  Aug.  23d.  Grand  Union  Meeting  held  at  Brewster  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  what  measures  were  best  for  the  citizens 
of  this  town  to  best  support  the  Constitution  and  the. Laws, 
and  maintain  the  Government.  150  persons  present,  Edward 
Howes  Esq.,  Chairman;  Tho.  H.  Reed,  Secretary;  Patriotic 
speeches  made  by  A.  B.  Marvin  Esq.;  Edward  Howes  Esq.,  and 
others.  All  party  lines  were  obliterated,  the  grand  inspiring 
idea  being  the  Union,  the  whole  Union,  and  nothing  but  the 
Union.  A  committee,  consisting  of  F.  E.  Foster,  Wm.  T.  Ga  Nun 
and  Tho.  H.  Reed,  were  appointed  to  draw  up  a  Constitution. 
Wm.  T.  Ga  Nun,  Piatt  Brush  and  Smith  G.  Hunt,  were  ap- 
pointed Town  Central  Committee,  whose  business  it  should  be 
to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  Union  cause  in  our  midst,  and 
do  what  they  could  to  enlist  the  sympathies  of  all  in  the  cause 
of  our  Country  and  the  suppression  of  Rebellion.  A  commit- 
tee of  A.  B.  Marvin,  Col.  James  Ryder  and  George  Hine  were 
appointed  to  report  in  relation  to  the  organization  of  a  military 
Co.  in  our  town  to  be  called  the  Home  Guards.  The  subject  of 
raising  a  fund  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  volunteers,  was 
favorably  discussed  and  Jarvis  Pugsley  who  that  day  enlisted 


204  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

was  assui-ed  that  his  family  should  be  well  cared  for  during  his 
absence.     *    *    *    * 

Sept.  7th  the  following  advertisement  appeared: 


"  This  Company  is  about  being  organized  for  the  war,  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  John  Hazen,  late  of  the  71st  Regt.  N.  Y. 
State  Militia;  to  be  composed  entirely  of  men  from  Putnam 
County.  Those  wishing  to  enlist  can  do  so  by  giving  their 
names  to  the  Captain  at  Brewster's  Station,  "N".  Y." 

An  advertisement  also  appeared  announcing  that  Colonel  Ser- 
rel's  Regiment  of  engineers  and  artisans  had  been  accepted,  and 
that  100  able  men  were  wanted  at  the  recruiting  office  at  Gar- 
risons. 

Sept.  7th.  "County  Mass  Meeting,  at  Carmel,  Hon.  John 
Garrison,  Chairman;  John  Hopkins,  David  Kent,  James  Cole, 
Samuel  Kent,  Edward  Howes,  Leonard  D.  Cliff,  Vice  Presidents; 
Tho.  H.  Reed  and  Joseph  Strang,  Secretaries.  Judge  Garrison 
on  taking  the  chair,  thanked  the  convention,  for  the  honor,  and 
said  '  I  have  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  for  forty  years,  and 
last  fall  I  voted  for  John  C.  Breckenridge,  but  I  thank  God  that 
I  lost  my  vote,  and  am  prond  to  stand  here  with  my  fellow  citi- 
zens of  all  parties,  to  ground  our  party  weapons,  and  join  in 
battling  for  the  welfare  of  our  common  country.'  Tho.  H.  Reed, 
Edward  Howes,  Samuel  Kent,  Isaac  Lounsbury,  John  Cole, 
George  Ludington,  Henry  W.  Belcher,  Samuel  A.  Townsend 
and  A.  S.  Van  Duzer  were  appointed  delegates  to  attend  the 
People's  Union  State  Convention,  at  Syracuse. 

"  Resolved  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  patriotic  citizen,  to 
favor  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Union;  ignoring  all  political  parties  and  party  creeds,  as 
embarrassing  and  dangerous  until  after  the  war  is  over." 

"  Patriotic  resolutions  were  passed  at  the  Republican  County 
Convention." 

"  Wm.  P.  Bailey,  Brigade  Clerk,  8th  Brigade,  returns  thanks 
to  the  ladies  for  the  liberal  donation  of  a  uniform,  on  the  occa- 
sion of  his  transfer  from  Co.  D.,  38th  Regt.,  to  a  position  of 
trust  in  the  8th  Brigade." 

"Sept.  21st.  We  learn  that  recruiting  officers  in  this  County 
are  meeting  with  flattering  success.  Quarter  Master  Sears  has 
quite  a  number  enlisted.      Capt.  Hazen  is  daily  adding  to  his 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  205 

list  and  Mr.  A.  W.  Mattice,  who  only  exhibited  his  authority 
to  recruit  men,  on  the  7th,  has  from  that  day  to  the  18th,  re- 
cruited 11  men.     He  is  enlisting  for  Col.  Dunham's  Eegiment." 

A.  W.  Mattice  announces  that  "an  exclusive  Putnam  Co. 
Company  is  now  being  recruited  at  Carmel,  and  that  the  Com- 
panj''  has  the  privilege  of  selecting  their  own  officers." 

"  Sept.  28th,  A.  W.  Mattice  has  enlisted  23  men,  for  a  Com- 
pany to  be  called  Putnam  Rifles." 

"  Grand  Mass  Meeting  at  Putnam  Valley,  held  at  Lake  Os- 
cawana  House.  Wm.  C.  Lickley,  Pres.  The  meeting  was  ad- 
dressed by  Hon.  Benj.  Bailey." 

"Oct.  oth,  Capt.  Mattice  has  met  with  unequalled  success. 
He  had  the  names  of  26  men  registered  on  the  Company  Roll  on 
last  Tuesday  night.  George  H.  Lewis,  Daniel  F.  Ferguson, 
Harvey  H.  Smalley,  Henry  B.  Wixon,  Joseph  Sprague,  Samuel 
Berry,  Henry  Wilson,  Ira  Conklin,  Ozis  Head,  John  Head, 
Hamilton  Stewart,  John  M.  Conklin,  Francis  Martin,  John  W. 
Gregory,  Daniel  Benjamin,  Daniel  D.  Miller,  Charles  Tilford, 
Samuel  Dexter,  George  Ganung,  W.  S.  Horton,  Daniel  Miller, 
Sylvester  Tompkins,  James  Tiiford,  David  Hopkins,  J.  J.  Light, 
Wm.  J.  Collins  (drummer)." 

"Oct.  12th.  Capt.  A.  W.  Mattice  took  six  more  men  to  New 
York  on  the  9th.  David  Hopkins,  John  W.  Gregory,  Tho. 
Reordan,  Cornelius  Peirce,  Reuben  Sutton,  Henry  Wilkins." 

"  Oct.  19th.  The  Putnam  Rifles  recruited  by  Capt.  Mattice  of 
this  village  now  number  32  men,  and  have  been  accepted  and 
mustered  into  the  U.  S.  service,  and  designated  as  Co.  K.  of  the 
Cameron  Legion  Regt.,  commanded  by  Col.  Charles  A.  Dunham. 
At  a  Company  election,  A.  W.  Mattice  was  chosen  Capt. ;  Cor- 
nelius H.  Peirce,  of  Lake  Mahopac,  1st  Lieut.  When  the 
Captain  left  the  camp  at  Saltersville,  N.  J.,  Harvey  Wilson  of 
Carmel  was  drilling  the  Company,  as  Orderly  Seargent." 

About  this  time  a  Ladies'  Relief  Association  was  organized,  of 
which  Mrs.  Selah  Van  Duzer  was  president;  Mrs.  James  A. 
Watts,  secretary;  and  Mrs.  Foster  Kelly,  treasurer.  The  asso- 
ciation forwarded  large  quantities  of  necessary  and  useful 
articles  to  the  soldiers  and  contributed  greatly  to  their  com- 
fon. 

"  Nov.  30th,  Wm.  F.  Bailey,  of  Carmel,  who  held  the  Clerk- 
ship in  the  8th  Brigade  returned  home  on  Saturday  last,  and  is 
authorized  to  raise  a  Company,  of  which  he  is  to  be  Captain, 


206  HISTORY   Oy   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

for  the  3d  Regl.  Capt.  Bailey  will  recruit  his  Company  in  this 
and  adjacent  counties,  and  as  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist  and 
has  been  in  active,  dangerous  service,  we  wish  him  every  suc- 
cess. His  Company  has  been  named  the  Weeks  Guard,  in 
honor  of  Hon.  Chauncey  R.  Weeks,  who  has  furnished  much 
substantial  aid." 

"Dec.  2d.  A.  W.  Mattice,  Lieut,  of  Co.  I.,  59th  Regt., 
whose  Company  is  now  at  Washington,  is  at  home  to  obtain  a  few 
more  recruits  to  raise  his  Company  to  the  maximum  number." 

"Dec.  28th.  Twenty  recruits  have  been  obtained  by  Capt. 
Wm.  F.  Bailey  whose  Company,  the  Weeks  Guard,  is  attached 
to  Col.  Jenkin's  Regt.  and  is  now  in  Camp  at  Sing  Sing." 

"Jan.  24th,  1862.  This  Company  is  rapidly  filling  up.  40 
recruits  have  been  mustered  in.  It  has  an  efficient  and  power- 
ful patron  in  the  person  of  Hon.  Chauncey  R.  Wqeks." 

"Feb.  15th.  The  report  has  arrived  of  the  death  of  John  C. 
Dean,  of  Carmel,  a  member  of  Co.  J.  59th  Regt.,  and  son  of 
Milton  N.  Dean.  He  died  at  Camp  Sherman,  D.  C.  Also  re- 
port of  the  death  of  Sutton  Ga  Nun,  a  volunteer  from  Brewster." 

"March  27th.  The  Weeks  Guard  from  this  County  and  a 
portion  of  a  Company  from  White  Plains  and  another  from 
Peekskill,  in  the  3d  Regt.  were  consolidated,  forming  one  Com- 
pany of  104  men,  and  on  Friday  last  their  Regt.  was  consoli- 
dated with  the  Warren  Rifles,  from  Rockland  County,  and  the 
Regiment  is  now  the  95th  N.  Y.  S.  V.  Lieut.  Wm.  F.  Bailey 
was  promoted  to  be  Captain  of  tlie  consolidated  company.  It 
left  for  the  seat  of  war  last  Saturday.  Capt.  Bailey  on  his 
hasty  departure,  requested  us  to  tender  his  acknowledgement 
to  many  gentlemen  of  the  County  to  whose  liberality  he  attri- 
butes his  success." 

"  March  22d.  Sergeant  Harvey  Wilson,  of  the  95th  Regt.  is 
now  on  recruiting  duty  in  the  County." 

"It  gives  us  pleasure  to  mention  the  brilliant  conduct  of 
young  Mr.  J.  B.  Van  Duzer,  in  the  late  engagement  with  the 
Merrimack,  in  Hampton  Roads.  Mr.  Van  Duzer  was  Master's 
mate  on  board  the  Minnesota,  and  commanded  the  3rd  Division 
of  Guns.  His  Division  was  especially  mentioned  as  making  the 
best  line  shots.  Who  will  not  agree  with  us  that  the  worthy 
lady  who  presided  over  the  Carmel  Relief  Society  has  reason  to 
be  proud  of  her  patriotic  sons." 

He  was  a  son  of  Selah  Van  Duzer;  another  son  was  Lieutenant 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  207 

ia  a  Cavalry  Regt.,  while  still  another  was  an  officer  on  board 
the  steamer  Mohawk. 

"June  7th.  The  Co.  of  Capt.  Mattice  and  Pauldings  Co.  of 
Peekskill  have  been  consolidated.  Paulding  was  made  Captain 
of  the  new  Company  on  account  of  his  having  the  greater  num- 
ber of  men,  and  Capt.  Mattice  was  made  1st  Lieut.  Capt. 
Paulding  resigned,  and  Mattice  was  then  commissioned  as 
Captain  of  the  Company,  which  was  Co.  I.  59th  Regt.,  and  is 
stationed  at  Tenallytown,  D.  C." 

"  June  14th.  The  remains  of  Daniel  W.  Travis,  son  of  Jere- 
miah Travis  of  Kent  were  brought  home  and  interred  in  the 
Baptist  burying  ground  at  Red  Mills.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
13th  Mich.  Regt.,  to  which  state  he  went  in  1854,  and  he  died  at 
Nashville,  Tenn." 

"June  30th.  News  of  the  death  of  Martin  Baxter,  son  of 
Moses  Baxter,  of  Putnam  Valley.  He  was  Orderly  in  Co.  G., 
38th  Regt.,  N.  Y.  V.,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven 
Pines,  and  buried  on  the  field." 

"  July  19th.  Joseph  Shaw  of  Co.  F.,  38th  Regt.,  is  reported 
sick  at  David's  Island." 

He  died  and  was  buried  in  the  Presbyterian  Cemetery, 
Carmel. 

"Aug.  2d,  comes  the  report  of  the  death  of  Lieut.  Charles F. 
Van  Duzer,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Gaines  Mills,  June 
27th." 

On  the  16th  of  August,  1862,  came  the  announcement  of  the 
draft  made  necessary  to  fill  the  wasted  armies  of  the  country. 
The  ijeople  of  Southeast  raised  a  fund  of  $2,600,  as  a  town 
bounty  fund,  to  be  paid  to  volunteers.  Capt.  George  H.  Dean 
began  recruiting  and  obtained  six  recruits  in  a  week.  He 
belonged  to  the  1st  Batalion  of  Mounted  Rifles,  Col.  C.  C. 
Dodge. 

"  Aug.  23rd.  The  people  are  aroused,  2  large  public  meetings 
were  held  at  Cold  Spring,  Farmer's  Mills,  Ludingtonville,  Brew- 
ster, Carmel,  Lake  Mahopac,  Red  Mills  and  Tompkin's  Cor- 
ners. A  fund  has  been  raised  in  the  several  towns  for  volun- 
teering. This  County  is  required  to  raise  two  full  Companies. 
160  men  have  already  enlisted." 

"  Webster  Smith,  of  Farmer's  Mills  has  sold  his  business  and 
a  company  of  men  have  bought  his  store  and  tavern,  and  he  is 
now  recruiting  a  Company  for  the  war.     He  has  already  ob- 


208  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

tained  twelve  men,  in  and  around  Farmer's  Mills.  He  is  just 
tlie  man  needed  for  the  occasion,  and  deserves  all  the  assist- 
ance that  the  loyal  and  patriotic  citizens  can  give  him." 

"A  Special  Town  Meeting  was  held  for  the  town  of  Carmel, 
at  Lake  Mahopac,  on  Aug.  21st,  to  vote  a  bounty  of  $100  for 
each  volunteer.     Out  of  134  votes  all  but  two  were  in  favor." 

"Charles  E.  Benedict,  late  Editor  of  the  Putnam  County 
Courier,  has  enlisted  in  an  Orange  County  Regiment." 

He  contracted  camp  fever  in  the  service  and  returning  home, 
died  at  his  fathers  residence,  at  Warwick,  Orange  county,  No- 
vember 1st,  1862. 

"Aug.  16th.  War  Meeting  at  Lake  Mahopac;  Leonard  D. 
Clift,  Chairman.  An  address  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Henry 
Ward  Beecher,  who  spoke  with  his  vinequaled  eloquence.  Pa- 
triotic resolutions  were  passed.  C.  H.  Ludington,  of  New  York, 
donated  $500  to  aid  the  cause  of  volunteering." 

"Aug.  30th.  Kent  in  a  patriotic  blaze.  We  hear  that  36 
volunteers  have  been  obtained  in  that  town,  and  as  her  quota 
under  both  calls  is  45  men,  only  nine  more  are  wanted  to  fill 
it.  Kent  will  be  the  banner  town  of  Old  Putnam.  George 
Ludington  and  i^ddison  J.  Hopkins  are  the  enrolling  officers." 

The  following  was  the  quota  of  each  town  under  the  first 
draft : 

Carmel 70 

Philipstown  141 

Kent 45 

Patterson .  46 

Putnam  Valley 49 

Southeast 73 


424 
"Sept.  6th.  Kent  filled  her  quota  in  eleven  days.  A  com- 
pany of  men  bought  out  Webster  Smith's  store,  tavern  and 
property,  at  Parmer's  Mills,  and  he  is  now  a  Captain,  and  with 
a  large  part  of  the  volunteers,  are  on  the  route  to  Washington." 
"Sept.  13th.  A. large  and  enthusiastic  meeting  was  held  at 
Smalley's  Hotel,  Carmel;  Hon.  Chauncey  Weeks,  President. 
George  Ludington  offered  a  bounty  of  $120,  to  every  man  who 
should  enlist.  In  the  evening  another  meeting  was  held  in  the 
Court  House:  Joseph  Cole  Esq.,  President.  Another  spirited 
meeting  at  Red  Mills  on  last  Wednesday  night,  and  one  at 


(GENERAL   HISTORY.  209 

Towners  Station  last  night.  Another  this  afternoon  at  Lake 
Mahopac,  and  one  will  be  held  at  the  house  of  Daniel  Drew, 
next  Monday  evening." 

"Anthony  Wayne  Guards,  135th  Regt.  The  organization  of 
this  Regt.  has  been  completed  in  a  very  short  time;  but  two 
weeks  was  occupied  in  recruiting  Co.  G.,  Webster  Smith,  Cap- 
tain; Stephen  Baker  1st.  Lieut.;  Charles  F.  Hazen  2nd.  Lieut.; 
No.  of  men  101.  The  men  from  Kent,  Carmel  and  Southeast. 
Rev.  H.  W.  Smuller,  of  Carmel  was  appointed  Chaplain." 

"Sept.  27th.  List  of  killed  and  wounded  in  Co.  L  59th.  Regt. 
Capt.  Mattice,  at  the  Battle  of  Antietam,  Sept.  17th.  Killed 
Pierce  Miller,  Edgar  Sutton,  J.  S.  D.  Riker,  Herman  Wilson, 
George  Sweet,  Hamilton  Stewart.  Wounded,  Harvey  N.  Wil- 
son, George  Walters,  Wm.  .N.  Pratt,  Edward  Williams,  Samuel 
N.  Dexter,  John  Acker,  Tho.  Brady,  Samuel  Berry,  Tho.  Kirch, 
James  I.  Light,  James  Martin,  Andrew  Proud,  Henry  B.  Wixon, 
Daniel  D.  Wixon,  Wm.  W.  Dean,  Patrick  Dorly,  C.  Cronk, 
Wm.  Horton,  Elias  Tilford,  Nelson  Mead,  Harvey  Smalley." 

"Capt.  Wm.  P.  Bailey  was  honorably  discharged  from  the 
army,  Aug.  31st  1862." 

"Jan.  16th,  1863.  Webster  Smith's  Co.,  attached  to  6th. 
Artillery  Regt.  The  report  has  arrived  of  the  death  of  Wm. 
Frost  of  Co.  D.     He  was  a  young  man  from  Patterson." 

"  Feb.  24th.  The  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Putnam  County, 
convened  for  the  purpose  of  authorizing  the  collection  of 
bounty  money,  paid  by  the  various  towns." 

"March  14th.  Harvey  N.  Wilson,  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Co. 
J.,  95th  Regt.,  died  in  the  General  Hospital,  Frederick,  Mary- 
land, March  7th,  of  wounds  received  at  Antietam.  His  remains 
were  brought  home  and  buried,  in  the  Baptist  burying  ground 
Carmel." 

Major-Gen.  Couch,  who  commanded  the  2d  Army  Corps,  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  was  a  native  of  the  town  of  South- 
east. 

"  May  2d,  1863.  Jabez  Robinson  of  Carmel,  in  Capt.  Mat- 
tice's  Co.,  was  wounded  at  Pair  Oaks  and  honorably  dis- 
charged." 

"  May  9th.     Lieut.  Charles  F.  Hazen  died  on  Saturday  last 
at  Maryland   Heights.     He   belonged   to   6th   N.  Y.  Artillery, 
and  perished  at  the  early  age  of  32.     He  was  buried  at  the  Bap- 
tist  burying  ground  Carmel." 
14 


210  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"Sept.  23d.  Quota  of  each  town  for  the  draft  ordered: 
Philipstown,  190;  Southeast,  79;  Carmel,  68;  Putnam  Valley 
38;  Kent,  36;  Patterson,  36." 

"Dec.  26th-.  Lieut.  G.  Doughty  Hyatt,  of  Putnam  Valley 
has  been  presented  with  a  splendid  sword." 

"May  14th,  1864.  Quota  of  each  town  under  draft  of  1864: 
Philipstown,  72;  Carmel,  45;  Putnam  Valley,  45." 

"Lieut.  Horton  R.  Piatt,  killed  at  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  May  16th,  1864." 

"Special  meeting  of  Supervisors,  held  July  28th,  and  bonds 
were  issued  to  the  amount  of  $75,000.  These  were  sold  at  public 
auction  and  were  bought  by  George  Mortimer  Belden,  at  1  per 
cent  premium.  Bonds  to  the  amount  of  $20,000  were  afterwards 
issued." 

"Nov.  5th.  Jarvis  Pugsley,  who  has  served  three  years  and 
been" wounded,  has  been  discharged." 

"Oscar  Knapp  of  4th  Artillery,  who  has  been  in  almost  every 
battle  and  in  one  charge  had  his  clothes  perforated  by  several 
balls,  has  been  discharged." 

"  Jan.  3rd,  1865.  Special  town  meeting  in  Patterson.  Re- 
solved that  every  man  who  shall  pay  to  a  committee  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  the  sum  of  $25,  shall  be  secured  from  dr-af t, 
and  the  Supervisor  and  Town  Clerk  were  authorized  to  raise  a 
sum  necessary  to  supply  the  draft." 

"Jan.  28th;  Hon.  Robert  P.  Parrott,  of  West  Point  Foun- 
dry, has  paid  the  taxes  of  all  the  widows  and  of  the  soldiers 
absent  to  the  war,  residing  in  Philipstown.  This  is  but  one  of 
the  many  good  acts  flowing  from  his  generous  heart  and  kindly 
hand."  " 

The  whole  number  of  credits  since  the  establishment  of  the 
Provost  Marshall's  office  at  Tarrytown:  Philipstown,  294;  Put- 
nam Valley,  104;  Carmel,  137;  Southeast,  147;  Kent,  80;  Pat- 
terson, 88. 

The  action  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  was  duly  legalized 
by  acts  of  the  Legislature,  and  the  debt  thus  contracted,  was  in 
a  few  years  paid. 

From  the  information  available  at  this  late  day  it  is  impos- 
sible to  give  anything  like  a  complete  record  of  Putnam  county 
volunteers.  The  following  list  has  been  prepared  with  great 
care  and  contains  the  names  (so  far  as  ascertained)  of  those  en- 
listing from  this  county,  with  the  regitnents  in  which  they 
served. 


GENERAL  PIISTOEY.  211 

Ist  Regiment  Mounted  Rifles,  Co.  I:— Foster  C.  Carl,  James 
McCollum,  William  H.  Nixon,  Stopplebaam. 

4th  Regiment  Heavy  Artillery,  Co.  A:— Tho.  D.  Sears,  Capt.; 
Martim  V.  B.  Akin,  Orderly;  Henry  W.  Hayden,  Sergeant; 
Oscar  Knapp,  Stephen  D.  Butler,  Peter  Garr,  Lindon  J.  Cowl, 
Zephaniah  Denny,  Wm.  E.  Doane,  Silas  Haviland,  Geo.  H. 
Hubbard,  Merritt  Washburn,  Bernard  McEnnaly,  James  Mc- 
DonaM,  Elisha  Penny,  Mills  Reynolds,  Leonard  H.  Secor,  James 
P.  Rogers,  Levi  Benedict,  Obed  P.  Townsend,  Herman  H.  Cole, 
Charles  Bradley,  John  Sweetman,  Capt.,  James  P.  Rogers, 
Lewis  P.  Rogers,  Joseph  Sprague,  David  H.  Terrill,  Elijah 
Wilson,  Elbert  Wilson,  Geo.  W.  Wixon,  James  Wynn,  Horace 
Eastwood,  Norman  Davis,  James  Morey,  Ephraim  Davis,  John 
S.  Trowbridge, McGlohlin. 

135th  Regiment",  N.Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  D:— Charles  P.  Crosby,  Ser- 
geant; Sylvester  Forkel,  Wm.  G.  Barnes,  James  I.  Turner, 
Josiah  D.  Baker,  Ferris  Barrett,  Daniel  Burch,  Frederick  But- 
ler, Solomon  Carpenter,  Clarence  Cowl,  Geo.  W.  Cowl,  James 
H.  Couch,  Herman  B.  Crosby,  Augustus  Eastwood,  Lathrop 
Eddy,  William  Frost,  James  E.  Grant,  Martin  Needham,  Eli 
R.  Smith,  Geo.  P.  Taylor,  David  Washburn,  Henry  Worden. 

135th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  G:  Webster  Smith,  Capt.; 
Stephen  Baker,  1st  Lieut. ;  Charles  F.  Hazen,  2d  Lieut. ;  Edward 
Bailey,  ■  Sergeant ;  Seymour  B.  Phillips,  Sergeant;  Wm.  S. 
Hadley,  Sergeant;  Hart  Wright,  Sergeant;  James  E.  Lee, 
Sergeant;  David  Wixon,  Corporal;  Seth  Contant,  Corporal; 
Lewis  G.  Baldwin,  Corporal;  James  Ostrander,  Corporal;  Walter 
S.  Robson,  Corporal;  Michael  McGarrick,  Corporal;  Petras  S. 
Halstead,  Corporal;  John  S.  Sherwood,  Corporal;  Wm.  Ames, 
Jeremiah  Austin,  Isaac  Barrett,  Vincent  Barrett,  Richard  S. 
Brooks,  Dingee  Barrett,  Lorenzo  Bacon,  Gilbert  D.  Bailey,  Joel 
Bates,  Wm.  Burns,  Samuel  A.  Bailey,  Franklin  Bowdy,  Alonzo 
C.  Collins,  Tho.  L.  Corbon,  Samuel  A.  Coe,  Myron  Dingee, 
Alfred  Dexter,  Charles  Davis,  Philip  W.  Dexter,  Geo.  H.  Davis, 
Leonard  Dexter  ;  John  Dexter,  Francis  H.  Everett,  Geo.  W.  Fo- 
shay,  Joseph  Fisher,  John  T.  Fisher, Geo.  W.  Fisher,  Charles  Fo- 
shay,  Joseph  Furguson,  Elias  L.  Ferguson,  Jeremiah  Frost,  Gil- 
bert Form  an,  James  Galbreth,  Bailey  Garning,  Alonzo  Ganung, 
Oliver  H.  Gay,  Urban  T.  Housler,  James  T.  Hart,  Eli  W.  Hart, 

'Formed  as  the  185th  Regiment  of  Infantry  and  converted  into  6th  Regiment 
of  Artillery  while  at  Baltimore. 


212  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Henry  H.  Harris,  Hiram  Hitclicock,  Joseph  B.  Hutchins,  Jolin 
C.  Jordan,  Horace  Kirk,  Albert  Knapp,  Wm.  D. Light,  Daniel  T. 
Ludlow,  Tho.  Lyons,  Robert  G.  Lee,  Albert  W.  Lent,  BlvinMead, 
James  McDonald,  James  Morrisroe,  Lewis  Martin,  Joseph  L. 
Parker,  John  E,.  Parker,  Isaac  W.  Parker,  Horace  Quick,  Vin- 
cent Russel,  James  A.  Rundle,  Wm.  Robinson,  James  Ritchie, 
Sandford  Reynolds,  Henry  C.  Reed,  John  L.  Smalley,  Alonzo 
B;  Spencer,  James  K.  Screder,  Garret  'E.  Smalley,  Wm.  H. 
Smith,  Edwin  Smith,  Wm.  Satterly,  Joseph  I.  Smalley,  Michael 
Supple,  Dennis  ScuUey,  Orman  Smith,  Wm.  H.  Tilford,  James 
O.  Trowbridge,  Abraham  B.  Trowbridge,  Edward  Tilford, 
George  Williams,  Levi  Williams,  Henry  Wildman,  Silas  Wil- 
liams, James  T.  Wright. 

38th  Regiment,  IST.  Y.  S.  V.:  Jeremiah  W.  Hazen,  Samuel  T. 
Hart,  Horace  Bailey,  Isaac  Lockwood,  Francis  Gregory,  Joseph 
Robinson,  Joseph  E.  Shaw,  Robert  A.  Shaw,  Wm.  Robinson, 
Thomas  Washburn.  Wm.  F.  Bailey. 

6th  Regiment  Artillery,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  L:  Sylvester  B. 
Truesdell,  Capt.;  Lewis  L.  Young,  1st  Lieut.;  Wm.  G.  Ferris,. 
2d  Lieut. ;  Tompkins  Minthorne,  1st  Sergeant;  Wm.  R.  Vree- 
denburg,  2d  Sergeant;  John  McKechnie,  3d  Sergeant;  Wm.  R. 
Bloomer,  4th  Sergeant;  Wm.  Emmerson,  5th  Sergeant;  Alonzo 
Light,  Corporal;  Theodore  McEwen,  Corporal;  Justus  T.  Crosby,. 
Lieut.;  James  H.  prince.  Corporal;  Wm.  P.  Dykeman,  Cor- 
poral; Harrison  Crane,  Corporal:  Matthew  Rack,  Corporal; 
Theodore  Lovelace,  Corporal;  John  Hamilton.  Corporal;  Dennis 
Scully,  John  McGowan,  Enoch  Griffith,  Jordan  Ackerman, 
James  Ritchie,  Frank Everitt,  Wm.  Satterlee,  Wm.  C.  Brewster, 
Sandford  Reynolds,  James  Ashmond,  Tho.  Agnew,  Wm.  Bar- 
ton, James  Barnes,  James  Britlifle,  Martin  Burton,  Elijah  Bal- 
lard, Geo.  W.  Bratton,  Ferris  Briggs,  Gurnesy  B.  Banks,  Fran- 
cis N.  Booth,  James  Brown,  Robert  Cambel,  Jameson  Clark, 
Wm.  Cubbitt,  Francis  Coxe,  John  Cambell,  Fraz.  G.  Gauzler, 
John  D.  Crawford,  Wm.  Dobbs,  John  J.  Davis,  Geo.  W.  Den 
ney,  John  P.  Daniels,  John  Jordan,  Dingee  Barrett,  Geo.  H. 
Davis,  Charles  Davis,  Geo.  E.  Dean,  Wm.  Denike,  Langdon  R. 
Daniels,  Charles  Dykeman,  Samuel  Ehret,  Isaac  D.  Finch,  Perry 
Ferris,  Harrison  Ferris,  Josiah  Ferris,  Milton  Ferris,  Isaac  Ferris, 
Tho.  Flood,  Hubert  Fallon,  Abraham  Ferguson,  David  Frost, 
Lemuel  French,  Willis  S.  Gorham,Wm.  Gilbert,  John  Jay  Griffin, 
Sylvanus    Haight,  Wm.    Hitherton,    Henry    Horton,    Edward 


GENERAL  HISTORT.  213 

Bailey,  Jacob  Tilford,  Harrison  Crane,  James  Ritchie,  Albert 
Hoton,  Luke  Higgins,  Tho.  Hamilton,  Tho.  Higgins,  Alanson 
Hoyt,  Joseph  Hopkins,  Edward  Ireland,  Richmond  Ireland,  John 
Jennings,  Wm.  H.  Kimble,  Charles  Kimble,  Andrew  J.  Light, 
Justus  Lake,  Coleman  Light,  John  W.  Light,  Michael  Mott,  Da- 
vid J.  Meeks,  Dennis  Mahony,  Andrew  Moody,  Michael  McGrow- 
an,  James  McGan,  Theodore  Merritt,  Gilbert  Wright,  Fred.  R. 
Hall,  Gilbert  Bailey,  Peter  Halstead,  Wm.  S.  Hadley,  Joseph 
Bates,  Alexander  McQuillan,  Joseph  McLean,  Tho.  Newman, 
Robert  Newman,  Alexander  Nelson,  Nelson  Odell,  Hugh  Plea- 
ven,  James  Queen,  Wm.  A.  Russell,  Wm.  Rooney,  Silas 
Smalley,  Edward  Sweeney,  John  Sweeney,  John  P.  Shriver, 
James  E.  Smalley,  Rowland  Sprague,  Seymour  Townsend,  Asa 
H.  Thomas,  James  Turner,  Elias  Townsend,  Warren  C.  Town- 
send,  Darius  Townsend,  Isaac  Van  Tassel,  Uriah  Wallace, 
James  W.  Wallace,  David  B.  Williams,  John  W.  Weeks, 
Daniel  Whaley,  Frederick  Warren,  James  Warren,  Agustus 
Warren.  Wm.  H.  Weeks,  John  White,  Valentine  Williams. 

6th  Regiment  Artillery,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  M:  Donaldson 
Effingham,  2d  Lieut. 

13th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  C:  Stephen  Ray. 

59th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  I:  Gilbert  Reed,  Alexander 
G.  Smith,  Nelson  Mead,  John  C.  Dean. 

95th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  Co.  K:  Elbert  F.  Bailey,  Ser- 
geant; Zephaniah  Dakins,  jr.,  Jacob  Brown,  Tho.  Booth, 
Harvey  Wilson,  Sergeant;  John  S.  Boyd,  Patrick  Burns,  John 
Barret,  Jeremiah  Curry,  Oliver  Daniels,  John  P.  Daniels,  Geo. 
W.  Dakins,  John  M.  Griffin,  Henry  Horton,  Lewis  Latham, 
Charles  W.  Leveridge,  Wm.  H.  Miller,  John  J.  Miller,  Charles 
H.  Miller,  Abraham  B.  Travvis,  Nathaniel  J.  Travvis,  Stephen 
Worden,  John  Hilliker,  Wm.  H.  Heady,  W.  H.  Kirk;  Alvah 
Kirk,  John  Kruly,  Henry  Otis,  Samuel  Rhodes,  Silas  Scickler, 
Tho.  Stimson,  David  W-  Travvis,  Charles  H.  Travvis,  Patrick 
Tracy,  Peter  Worden,  Joshua  B.  Young. 

Of  Co.  K.,  95th  Regiment,  Capt.  William  F.  Bailey  was  com- 
mander. The  company  was  a  consolidated  one  composed  of 
parts  of  companies  from  this  county  and  from  Westchester  and 
Rockland. 

In  regiments  of  other  States:  Francis  A.  Bush,  27th  Iowa 
Regiment;  Byron  Crosby,  7th  Conn.  Regiment;  Francis  0. 
Myers,  54th  Mass.  Regiment;  John  Scruzar,  Duryea's  Zouaves; 


214  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Wrn.  W.  Newman,  7th  Conn.  Regiment;  Chauncey  Philips, 
29th  Conn.  Regiment;  Samuel  Berry,  16th  U.  S.  Infantry;  John 
Davis,  7th  Conn.  Regiment;  Prank  Wells,  Capt.  13th  Conn. 
Regiment;  Harvey  Newell;  Lieut.  F.  Burdick,  killed  in  action; 
Daniel  J.  D.  Crane,  buried  at  Milltown.  7th  Conn.  Regiment; 
James  Ballard,  James  Howard,  John  C.  Swords,  Henry  Wil- 
liams. 88th  Ind.  Regiment:  Samuel  R.  Burch,  John  M. 
Sloane,  Brush  Trowbridge,  Sergeant  Hart.  11th  Penn. 
Regiment:  George  H.  Crosby,  Wm.  H.  SWeetman. 

Among  those  who  distinguished  themselves  in  the  service  of 
their  country  in  the  Rebellion  the  following  are  deserving  of 
special  notice: 

GouvERNEUR  Kemble  Warrbn  was  born  at  the  village  of 
Cold  Spring,  January  8th,  1830,  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Military  Academy  and  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brevet  2d  lieu- 
tenant in  the  Corps  of  Topographical  Engineers  July  1st,  1850. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  he  was  mustered  into  ser- 
vice May  14th,  1861,  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Fifth  New  York 
Volunteers. 

"  General  Warren  was  promoted  successively  from  the  grade 
of  Lieutenant  to  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Corps  of  Engineers, 
and  Major  General,  U.  S.  Volunteers.  He  received  the  brevets 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel,  U.  S.  Army,  '  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  at  the  battle  of  Gaines'  Mill,'  Va.,  1862;  Colonel,  U.  S. 
Army,  '  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,'  Pa.,  1863;  Brigadier  General,  U.  S.  Army,  'for 
gallant  and  meritorious  services  at  the  battle  of  Bristoe  Station,' 
1865;  and  Major  General,  U.  S.  Army,  '  for  gallant  and  meri- 
torious services  in  the  field  during  the  Rebelion,'  1865." 

After  the  close  of  the  war  and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death 
General  Warren  distinguished  himself  in  various  capacities  in 
the  civil  branches  of  his  profession.  The  Corps  order  under 
General  Wright,  announcing  his  death,  says: 

"  In  scientific  investigations  General  Warren  had  few  supe- 
riors; and  his  elaborate  reports  on  some  of  the  most  important 
works  which  have  been  confided  to  the  Corps  of  Engineers  are 
among  the  most  valuable  contributions  to  its  literature. 

"  In  the  field,  in  the  late  civil  war,  he  was  a  brave  and  ener- 
getic officer,  and  in  the  high  command  to  which  he  attained  by 
his  patriotic  valor  and  skill  he  merited  the  admiration  of  the 
army  and  the  applause  of  his  country. 


GENERAL  HISTORi". 


215 


"  He  was  kind  and  considerate  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  and 
his  family  in  its  affliction  will  have  the  hearty  sympathy  of  the 
Corps  of  Engineers." 

General  Warren  died  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  August  8th,  1882. 

Stephen  Baker,  son  of  Daniel  and  Eunice  Nobby,  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Southeast,  December  24th,  1835.  His  education 
was  such  as  the  hamlet  of  Milltown  could  afford.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one  years,  during  the  excitement  of  slavery  exten- 
sion, he  emigrated  to  Kansas  but  afterward  located  at  Omaha, 
Neb.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  transportation  of  supplies  to 
Fort  Kerney  and  Omaha  Reserve.  When  gold  was  discovered 
in  Colorado,  Mr.  Baker  was  the  first  to  prospect  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  in  the  regions  of  Pike's  Peak,  Long's  Peak,  South 
Park  and  Middle  Park.  All  the  plains  from  the  Missouri  to 
the  mountains  at  this  time  were  occupied  by  the  Arapahoe, 
Cheyenne,  Comanche,  Apache,  Sioux  and  Pawnee  Indians.  In 
consequence  of  failing  health,  Mr.  Baker  left  the  mountains 
and  returned  to  his  native  town,  where  he  soon  recovered. 

As  a  soldier,  Stephen  Baker  has  done  gallant  service  for  his 
country.  He  enlisted  as  first  lieutenant,  in  Co.  G,  135th  N.  Y. 
Vol.  Regiment,  which  was  converted  into  the  6th  N.  Y.  Vol. 
Artillery  and  defended  Harper's  Ferry  and  Maryland  Heights 
in  the  winter  of  1863.  The  next  June  he  joined  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  and  participated  in  its  marches,  retreats,  many 
battles  and  victories  until  the  final  surrender  of  the  Army  of 
Virginia,  under  General  Lee,  at  Appomattox.  Some  of  the 
battles  in  which  he  fought  were  South  Mountain,  Wapping 
Heights,  Battle  of  the  Wilderness,  Po  River,  Chestnut  Ridge, 
Spottsylvania,  North  Anna,  Bethesda  Church,  Mechanicsville 
Road  and  Petersburg.  Through  the  recommendation  of  supe- 
riors, he  was  promoted,  for  services  in  the  field,  and  with  his 
regiment,  joined  General  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
where  he  remained  till  after  the  Battle  of  Cedar  Creek.  Being 
ordered  to  the  Army  of  the  James,  his  regiment  participated  in 
preventing  the  Rebel  ironclads  from  breaking  through  obstruc- 
tions and  cutting  off  the  base  of  supplies  at  City  Point  He 
was  promoted  a  second  time,  in  1864,  to  the  rank  of  major  lieu- 
tenant-colonel, and  remained  in  service  after  the  general  muster 
out  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  6th,  10th,  and  13th 
New  York  Artillery  Regiments,  numbering  1,875  men,  being 
consolidated  into  the  6th,  he  was  made  colonel  of  this  regiment 


216  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  placed  in  commq,nd  at  Petersburg.  At  the  close  of  the  war, 
in  1865,  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

Again  he  returned  to  his  native  town  and  engaged  in  the 
lumber  and  feed  business  until  1875,  when  he  ventured  into  the 
manufacturing  of  hats,  which  ended  in  failure,  in  1879. 

Mr.  Baker  was  member  of  Assembly,  from  Putnam  county, 
for  the  years  of  1866  and  1867.  He  has  held  the  position  of 
inspector  of  customs,  in  New  York  city,  since  1880. 

General  William  Hopkins  Morris'  is  the  son  of  General 
George  P.  Morris,  author  of  "  Woodman,  Spare  that  Tree," 
whose  former  country  seat,  Undercliff,  is  situated  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  Hudson,  near  the  village  of  Cold  Spring.  The 
grounds  consist  of  thirty-five  acres,  and  are  adorned  with  lofty 
shade  trees,  nearly  all  of  which  were  planted  by  him.  The 
mansion  is  massive  in  its  architecture  and  commands  from  its 
windows  views  of  West  Point,  Cro  Nest,  and  Newburgh  Bay. 
Lossing,  the  historian,  calls  Undercliff  "  The  Gem  of  the  Hud- 
son." 

Gen.  George  P.  Morris  resided  here  for  more  than  half  his 
life  time,  and  many  of  his  most  beautiful  and  popular  poems 
were  suggested  by  the  enchanting  surroundings  of  this  roman- 
tic place.  It  was  while  living  here  that  he  began  the  successful 
weekly  paper  entitled  "  The  National  Press,  a  Journal  for 
Home,"  but  he  changed  the  name  after  a  few  issues,  to  that  of 
"The  Home  Journal,"  the  title  which  it  still  bears.  After  a 
short  time  he  was  induced  to  take  as  a  partner  and  Joint  editor, 
Mr.  N.  P.  Willis,  and  Morris  &  Willis  continued  the  editors 
and  proprietors  of  that  paper  during  the  remainder  of  their 
lives. 

Gen.  George  P.  Morris  married  Mary  Worthing,  daughter  of 
George  P.  Hopkins,  of  New  York  city,  and  had  by  her  one  son, 
William,  and  two  daughters,  Ida  and  Georgiana. 

His  son,  William  Hopkins  Morris,  was  born  in  New  York 
city,  April  22d,  1827.  He  was  graduated  from  the  West  Point  Mili- 
tary Academy,  in  June,  1851,  and  entered  the  army  as  brevet  2d 
lieutenant  in  the  2d  Regiment  of  Infantry.  He  was  ordered  to 
Fort  Yuma,  California,  where  he  served  under  Major  Heintzel- 
man.  Ill  health,  caused  by  the  severity  of  the  climate,  induced 
him  to  resign.  Returning  to  New  York,  he  engaged  in  literary 
pursuits.     On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  entered  the  vol- 

'  The  following  sketch  of  General  Morris  was  prepared  by  F.  L,  Beers. 


GENERAL   HI8T0KY.  217 

unteer  army  as  an  assistant  adjutant  general,  with  the  rank  of 
captain,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  as  chief  of  staff  to  Gen.  John 
J.  Peck,  and  served  as  such  through  the  Peninsular  Campaign, 
under  McClellan,  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  re- 
peatedly mentioned  for  gallant  services  by  General  Peck  in  his 
official  reports  of  battles.  At  the  close  of  that  campaign.  Cap- 
tain Morris  was  elected  colonel  of  the  135th  Regt.  N.Y.  Volunteer 
Infantry,  raised  in  the  counties  of  Putnam,  Westchester  and 
Rockland,  and  organized  by  Col.  Lewis  G.  Morris,  of  Morri- 
sania.  Col.  William  H.  Morris  took  command,  and  the  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  the  front.  On  its  way  it  was  stopped  at 
Baltimore.  In  six  weeks  time  the  regiment  was  so  well  in- 
structed and  drilled  that  it  was  chosen  by  General  Wool  from 
among  some  dozen  regiments,  for  the  honor  of  conversion  into 
artillery,  and  became  the  6th  Regiment  of  N.  Y.  Artillery, 
whose  brilliant  services  in  the  field  made  it  one  of  the  most 
famous  regiments  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Colonel  Morris  was  given  the  command  of  Fort  McHenry,  at 
Baltimore,  and  his  regiment  added  to  its  garrison.  Soon  after 
he  was  ordered  to  Harper's  Ferrj^.  While  here  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  brigadier  general  and  placed  in  charge  of 
Maryland  Heights  with  a  force  consisting  of  regiments  of  in- 
fantry and  cavalry,  and  batteries  of  heavy  guns.  During  the 
advance  of  Lee,  Maryland  Heights  were  for  some  days  cut  off 
from  all  communication  with  supports,  except  by  flag  signals, 
and  as  the  great  Southern  general  advanced,  the  prospect  of  de- 
struction seemed  inevitable;  but  one  bright  morning  the  blue 
coats  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  were  reported  by  the  signal 
ofiicer,  and  then  the  suspense  was  relieved.  Maryland  Heights 
were  abandoned  by  the  Union  troops,  and  General  Morris  was 
ordered  to  join  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  his  command  be- 
came a  part  of  the  3d  Army  Corps.  When  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  was  reorganized,  the  3d  Corps  was  divided,  and  a  part 
was  ordered  to  the  2d  Corps,  and  the  rest,  including  General 
Morris'  brigade,  joined  the  6th  Army  Corps,  commanded  by 
General  Sedgwick.  During  his  service  in  this  renowned  corps, 
under  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  General  Morris'  brigade,  which  was 
composed  of  the  106th  N.  Y.,  151st  N.  Y.,  14th  N.  J.,  87th 
Penn.,  and  10th  Vt.  Regiments  of  Infantry,  made  for  itself  a 
record  unexcelled  for  brilliancy.  While  in  this  corps  General 
Morris  was  severely  wounded  in  the  Battle  of  the   Wilderness, 


218  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  for  his  "gallant  and  meritorious  services"  in  that  great 
battle,  he  had  conferred  upon  him  the  rank  of  brevet  major 
general  by  the  president  of  the  United  States.  After  the  war, 
having  been  honorably  mustered  out  of  service,  General  Morris 
returned  to  Undercliflf,  his  home,  and  resided  there,  during 
which  time  he  married  Kate,  daughter  of  Dr.  Adrian  K.  Hoff- 
man, of  Westchester  county,  and  had  by  her  one  son,  whom  he 
named  Greorge  Philip  Morris,  after  the  poet. 

General  Morris  represented  the  county  of  Putnam  in  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1867,  was  chief  of  ordnance  and 
inspector  general  of  the  State  of  New  York,  in  the  National 
Guards.  He  is  the  author  of  the  "System  of  Tactics  for  In- 
fantry ' '  armed  with  breech-loading  or  magazine  rifles. 

We  cannot  close  this  sketch  without  alluding  to  the  deep 
friendship  which  existed  between  General  Morris  and  Gen.  G. 
K.  Warren,  of  Cold  Spring.  It  began  in  childhood  and  in- 
creased in  strength  with  every  year  of  their  lives.  Well  may 
this  village  be  proud  of  having  contributed  two  distinguished 
general  officers  to  the  grandest  of  all  our  armies,  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


THE  MILITIA  OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY. 


BY   GEN.    JAMES  RYDEE. 


THE  first  account  we  have  of  any  organization  of  the  militia 
is  from  an  order  signed  by  Col.  John  Field  to  Lieut. 
Jonathan  Crane  in  1777,  to  wit:  "You  are  hereby  appointed  a 
Commandant  of  the  Guard  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants 
in  this  quarter  agreeable  to  orders  Late  rec'"!  from  our  Grov"^. 
You  are  in  person  to  call  upon  the  persons  whose  names  are  In- 
serted in  the  annexe'^  List  this  day  to  enter  the  service  under 
your  Command  You  are  to  Rendezvous  this  evening  at  the  house 
of  Major  Mott  when  you  will  receive  further  orders.  You  will 
make  Return  to  me  of  the  names  of  any  such  person  as  may 
Neglect  or  refuse  to  put  themselves  under  your  Command. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  this  8th  day  of  October,  1777. 

"John  Field,  Colo. 
"To  Lieut.  Jonathan  Crane." 

In  1786  Jonathan  Crane  was  commissioned  "  captain  No.  3  of 
a  company  in  the  Regiment  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of 
Dutchess  of  which  William  Pearce,  Esq.,  is  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Commandant."    Commission  signed  by  Geo.  Clinton,  Governor. 

In  1793,  Jonathan  Crane,  Esq.,  was  commissioned  second 
major  of  a  regiment  of  militia  in  the  county  of  Dutchess  where- 
of Samuel  Augustus  Barker  was  lieutenant  colonel  command- 
ant. 

April  25th,  1797,  Jonathan  Crane,  Esq.,  was  commissioned  by 
Gov.  John  Jay  as  lieutenant  colonel  commandant  of  a  regiment 
of  militia  in  the  county  of  Dutchess. 

In  1808,  Anson  Crane  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Daniel  D. 
Tompkins  captain  of  a  company  in  the  regiment  of  militia  in 


220  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  county  of   Dutchess  whereof  Joseph  C.  Field,  Esq.,  was 
lieutenant"  colonel  commandant. 

By  an  act  of  Congress  passed  in  1792  for  the  organization  of 
the  militia,  the  commanding  officer  of  each  regiment  was  a 
lieutenant  colonel  commandant,  which  office  was  continued  till 
1818  when  the  organization  of  regiments  was  as  before  com- 
manded by  a  colonel;  with  a  lieutenant  colonel  and  major  as 
field  officers.  This  accounts  for  the  lieutenant  colonel  com- 
mandants between  Col.  John  Field  and  Col.  Reuben  D.  Barnum. 
That  part  of  the  present  county  of  Putnam  consisting  of  South- 
east and  Patterson  was  in  the  bounds  of  the  35th  Regiment, 
and  six  of  the  eight  companies  in  the  regimental  district  were 
in  the  towns  mentioned. 

The  Monkeytown  Company  held  its  company  trainings  near 
where  the  milk  factory  now  stands.  The  captains  of  this  com- 
pany from  time  to  time  were  Samuel  Ryder,  Gilbert  Reynolds, 
Stephen  Ryder,  Orrin  B.  Crane,  Thatcher  H.  Theall  and  Isaac 
A.  Crane. 

The  Sodom  Company  trained  at  Sodom  Corners,  now  South- 
east Center.  Among  its  captains  were  Orrin  Richards,  Jacob 
O.  Howes,  and  Reuben  B.  Lawrence. 

The  MilUown  Company's  headquarters  were  at  Mill  town,  and 
some  of  its  officers  were  Joseph  Palmer,  Piatt  Baldwin,  Albert 
Brush,  William  F.  Fowler,  H.  K.  Beebe  and  Isaac  Volney 
Higgins. 

The  Elm  Tree  Company  held  its  company  trainings  at  a  tavern 
near  the  "big  elm,"  kept  by  Cap t.  Daniel  Reed.  Some  of  its 
officers  were  Daniel  Reed,  Elijah  Barnum,  Patterson  Barnum, 
Orlando  P.  Barnum  and  Francis  A.  Seeley. 

From  a  letter  written  by  Col.  Nathan  Pearce  in  1879,  he  says: 
"  The  next  company  paraded  at  Haviland  Corner.  It  was  com- 
posed of  the  Eastern  part  of  Patterson  and  south  eastern  part 
of  Pawling  so  as  to  include  the  Slocums.  The  most  prominent 
Captain  was  Asa  Akin." 

The  Sixth  Company  paraded  at  Harry  Hayt's  in  West  Pat- 
terson including  the  rest  of  the  town  of  Patterson.  Their  for- 
mer captains  were  Dean,  Smith,  Pugsley,  Squires  and  Samuel 
C.  Reynolds. 

The  Seventh  Company  paraded  at  Hurd's  Corner,  and  the 
Eighth  at  Jackson  Wing's,  but  they  were  out  of  the  county. 


GENERAL   HISTOKY.  221 

The  35th  Regiment  was  in  the  30th  Brigade  and  7th  Division. 
General  Jacob  L.  Scofield  was  the  last  brigadier  general  of  the 
brigade  at  the  time  of  its  disbandment  in  1847.  He  died 
March  27th,  1886,  at  Fishkill,  in  the  92d  year  of  his  age. 

Major  General  John  Brush  of  Poughkeepsie  was  commandant 
of  the  Division  as  early  as  1824,  and  to  the  disbandment,  which 
took  place  in  consequence  of  a  change  in  the  system. 

Regimental  parades  of  the  35th  were  held  at  Haviland  Corner, 
now  Aiken  Corner,  as  far  back  as  to  the  days  of  Col.  Crane  and, 
to  the  last  meetings. 

The  succession  of  colonels  and  commanding  officers  as  nearly 
as  can  be  ascertained  were:  John  Field,  of  Southeast,  1777; 
William  Pearce  of  Pawling,  1786;  Samuel  Augustus  Barker, 

1793;  Burton,  1795  (By  Gen.   Orders);  Jonathan  Crane, 

Southeast,  1797;  Joseph  C.  Field,  Southeast,  1808;  Isaac  Cros- 
by, Southeast;  Hart  Weed,  Southeast,  1815;  Samuel  Allen; 
JohnT.  Hotchkiss;  Reuben  D.  Barnum,  Southeast,  1821;  Nathan 
Pearce,  Pawling.  1823  (died  July  31st,  1882);  Stephen  Ryder, 
Southeast,  1828  (died  April  30th,  1876);  John  Hall,  Southeast, 
1831;  Piatt  Baldwin,  Southeast;  Lewis  Doane,  Southeast; 
Thomas  Gage,  Southeast,  about  1840;  Jacob  O.  Howes,  South- 
east; Thatcher  H.  Theall,  Southeast  (died  in  1886);  and  Leray 
Barnum,  Southeast. 

There  was,  about  the  beginning  of  this  century,  a  company  of 
light  infantry  commanded  by  David  Lambert  De  Forest.  A 
company  of  light  horse  cavalry  was  in  existence  for  a  long 
time.  James  Sherwood  was  its  cajjtain  and  Charles  Brewster, 
lieutenant. 

The  61st  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  M.,  was  composed  of  the  four 
western  towns  of  the  county.  Its  last  colonel  was Hitch- 
cock. It  was  in  the  30th  Brigade  and  7th  Division  as  was  the 
35th.  There  was  an  artillery  company  in  its  bounds  probably 
attached  to  it,  of  which  Capt.  Edmund  Pierce  was  commandant 
and  Abel  Gregory  was  lieutenant. 

The  regimental  TJarade  was  held  at  Boyd's  tavern,  near  the 
present  reservoir.  It  was  a  great  day.  Many  an  amusing  anec- 
dote might  be  related  of  the  actions  of  the  "Mountaineers,"  a 
race  now  probably  extinct;  of  their  dances  in  the  highways 
and  throwing  pumpkin  pies  at  each  other,  besides  other  events 
not  to  be  supposed  to  adorn  history.      Owing  to  the  popularity 


222  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  general  trainings  the  regiment  continued  in  good  order 
till  the  change  of  law.  In  1846  a  law  was  passed  exempting 
members  of  the  uniformed  militia  from  military  service  by  a 
commutation  of  seventy-five  cents.  The  law  was  amended  in 
1847,  and  encouragement  was  given  to  the  formation  of  uni- 
formed companies.  The  State  was  divided  into  eight  division 
districts  and  thirty-two  brigade  districts.  The  7th  Brigade 
District  was  composed  of  the  counties  of  Putnam,  West- 
chester and  Rockland. 

The  18th  Regimental  District  was  composed  of  fourteen  towns 
in  Westchester  and  Putnam  counties.  Philipstown  was  the  6th 
Company  district,  Putnam  Valley,  Patterson  and  Kent  com- 
posed the  7th  Company  district,  and  Southeast  and  Carmel  the 
8th  Company  district  of  the  regiment.  A  uniformed  company 
■was  organized  at  Cold  Spring  in  6th  Company  district  called  the 
'■'•  Kenible  Ouards,^''  an  infantry  company  of  which  Levi  L.  Liv- 
ingston was  captain,  and  Jackson  O.  Dykman  was  first  lieu- 
tenant. The  company  was  well  uniformed  and  a  creditable 
organization. 

Another  company  was  organized  in  the  8th  Company  district, 
Southeast  and  Carmel,  called  the  Putnam  Guards,  an  infantry 
company  of  which  James  Ryder  was  captain,  Jackson  P.  Bal- 
lard first  lieutenant,  and  Edward  Wright  second  lieutenant. 
The  company  wa;s  well  organized  and  equipped  and  continued 
till  the  original  members  served  out  their  time  of  enlistment. 
The  organization  was  completed  October  12th,  1848.  In  1851 
the  captain  was  promoted  to  be  colonel  of  the  18th  Regiment, 
Lieut.  Ballard  was  elected  captain  and  served  till  the  company 
went  out  of  service.  An  engineer  corps  was  organized  in  Cold 
Spring  in  1854  under  the  charge  of  Capt.  George  F.  Sherman, 
Regimental  Engineer,  which  was  very  complete  in  its  organiza- 
tion and  equipments.  Capt.  Sherman  was  promoted  to  the 
position  of  inspector  general  on  the  staff  of  Governor  Morgan 
and  Sylvester  B.  Truesdell  was  elected  to  succeed  Mr.  Sherman 
as  captain  of  the  corps. 

In  1865  a  draft  was  ordered  by  Gov.  Seymour  to  fill  the 
militia  regiments  to  the  minimum  number  required  by  law  and 
there  were  reorganizations  and  companies  in  6th,  7th  and  8th 
Districts,  which  continued  till  the  regimental  organization  was 
disbanded  in  1867,  since  which  time  there  has  been  no  militia 
organization  in  the  county. 


GENERAL  HISTOEY.  223 

April  8th,  1864,  James  Ryder  of  the  18th  Eegiment  was  pro- 
moted by  Gov.  Horatio  Seymour  to  be  brigadier  general  of 
the  7th  Brigade,  and  continued  to  hold  the  office  till  April  8th, 
1875. 

The  Kemble  Guards  were  out  in  the  United  States  service  in 
1863  at  the  call  of  the  IStli  Regiment  and  were  in  service  45 
days. 


CHAPTER  XYI. 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAR  OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY.' 


Hon.  James  Kent. — Henry  B.  Lee.— Ralsaman  C.  Austin. — George  W.  Niven. — 
Frederic  Stone. — Walker  Todd. — Jeremiah  Hine. — Henry  B.  Cowles. — 
Elijah  Yerks. — Howard  H.  White. — Benjamin  Bailey. — John  G.  Miller. — 
Charles  Ga  Nun. —Peter  M.  Jordan.— WiUiam  A.  Dean.— Levi  H.  McCoy.— 
James  D.  Little. — Charles  H.  Slosson. — Samuel  J.  Owen. — Owen  T.  Coffin. — 
William  J.  Blake. — Jackson  O.  Dykman. — George  W.  Horton. — Ambrose 
Ryder.— Edward  Wright. — Charles  H.  Ferris. — Hon.  William  Wood. — 
Seymour  B.  Nelson. — James  Gardiner. — Abram  J.  Miller. — William  H. 
Haldane. — George  E.  Anderson. — Ward  B.  Yeomans. — Frederic  S.  Bar- 
num. — Clayton  Ryder. — Hon.  Hamilton  Fish. — Hon.  Robert  Livingston. 


HON.  JAMES  KENT,  the  famous  lawyer  and  Chancellor 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  was  the  son  of  Moss  Kent 
and  grandson  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent.  He  was  born  at  Doansburg, 
town  of  Southeast,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.,  July  31st,  1763. 
When  five  years  old  he  was  placed  in  a  school  at  Norwalk, 
Conn.,  and  lived  with  his  maternal  grandfather,  Rev.  Joseph 
Moss,  with  whom  he  remained  till  1772,  when  he  went  to  reside 
with  an  uncle  at  Pawling,  where  he  learned  the  rudiments  of 
Latin.  In  May,  1773,  he  went  to  a  Latin  school  in  Danbury, 
and  entered  Yale  College  in  September,  1777.  In  after  years 
he  often  mentioned  the  delight  he  experienced  on  his  periodical 
returns  from  school,  in  rambling  with  his  brother  among  the 
wild  scenery  of  his  native  hills  and  valleys. 

In  July,  1779,  in  consequence  of  the  invasion  of  New  Haven 
by  the  British  troops,  the  college  was  broken  up  and  the  stu- 
dents dispersed.  At  this  time  he  met  with  a  copy  of  Black- 
stone's  Commentaries,  which  so  excited  his  admiration  that  he 
resolved  to  be  a  lawyer.  In  September,  1781,  he  graduated 
from  college  and  going  to  Poughkeepsie  commenced  the  study 

'  The  sketches  of  the  deceased  members  of  the  Putnam  County  Bar  in  this, 
chapter  were  prepared  by  Hon.  Ambrose  Ryder. 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  925 

of  law  under  Egbert  Benson,  who  was  afterward  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  as 
an  attorney,  in  January.  1785.  He  then  returned  to  his  native 
place  with  the  intention  of  commencing  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession there,  but  that  secluded  place  furnished  no  proper  field 
for  his  abilities  and  talents,  and  he  shortly  returned  to  Poiigli- 
keepsie. 

In  April,  1787,  he  was  admitted  a  counsellor  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  In  politics  he  belonged  to  the  Federal  party,  and  was 
the  intimate  friend  of  Jay  and  Hamilton.  In  April,  1790,  he 
was  elected  memben  of  Assembly  for  Dutchess  County,  and 
again  in  1792.  At  the  urgent  request  of  his  friends  he  removed 
to  New  Yotk  in  April,  1795,  finding  there  a  greater  scope  for 
the  exercise  of  his  talents.  In  December,  he  was  appointed 
professor  of  law  in  Columbia  College,  and  delivered  a  course 
of  lectures  there.  The  trustees  of  the  college  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  and  he  received 
similar  honors  from  Harvard  and  Dartmouth.  In  February, 
1798,  he  was  appointed  a  Master  in  Chancery,  and  in  the  same 
year  was  elected  member  of  Legislature  for  New  York.  In 
March,  1797,  he  was  appointed  recorder  of  the  city,  and  in 
1786  received  the  appointment  of  junior  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  and  returned  to  Poughkeepsie,  but  in  the  following 
year  removed  to  Albany,  where  he  resided  till  1823. 

In  1800,  Judge  Kent  and  Judge  Radcliffe  were  appointed  to 
revise  the  statutes  of  the  State,  and  in  1802  they  were  published 
in  two  volumes.  In  July,  1804,  he  was  appointed  chief  justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  and  presided  till  1814.  In  1814,  he  was 
appointed  Chancellor,  and  the  various  and  learned  decisions  by 
him  have  given  a  lasting  honor  to  his  name.  July  31st,  1823, 
having  attained  the  age  of  sixty,  which  was  the  constitutional 
limit  for  the  tenure  of  the  office,  he  retired  from  court  after 
hearing  and  deciding  every  case  brought  before  him.  It  was  at 
this  time  that  he  revisited  his  native  place,  and  was  a  boy  again 
when  he  entered  the  house  where  he  was  born. 

In  November,  1826,  appeared  the  first  volume  of  his  "  Com- 
mentaries on  American  Law."  The  second  volume  appeared  in 
November,  1827,  the  third  in  1828,  and  the  fonrth  in  1830.  It 
is  enough  to  say  of  this  great  work,  that  until  the  present  sys- 
tem of  things  shall  be  succeeded  either  by  a  higher  law  or  utter 
lawlessness,  "  Kent's  Commentaries  "  must  be  the  source  from 

15 


326  HISTOEY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

which  the  student  will  derive  his  first  knowledge  of  the  princi- 
ples of  law,  and  what  Blackstone  was  to  England,  Chancellor 
Kent  has  been  to  America. 

During  the  remainder  of  his  life  Chancellor  Kent  resided  in 
New  York  and  died  there  at  his  residence,  No.  20  Union  Square, 
on  the  evening  of  December  12th,  1847,  having  reached  his  85th 
year.  His  mortal  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at 
Fishkill,  Dutchess  county,  by  the  grave  of  his  only  son. 

A  full  account  of  his  family  will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of 
the  descendants  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  in  another  portion  of  this 
work.  It  is  no  injustice  to  the  dead,  nor  disparagement  to 
the  living,  to  say  that  James  Kent  was  the  most  prominent 
man  born  within  the  limits  of  Putnam  county,  and  of  his  great- 
ness and  fame  the  county  and  his  native  town  may  well  be 
proud. 

Henry  Bikd  Lee  was  born  in  Greene  county,  about  the 
year  1781.  He  practiced  law  in  Patterson,  but  for  how  many 
years,  we  have  been  unable  to  learn.  He  was  elected  to  the 
Assembly  in  1815,  and  at  the  general  election  held  in  April, 
1816,  he  was  elected  to  Congress.  He  died  September  16th,  1816. 
He  was  unmarried. 

Ralsaman  C.  Austin  practiced  law  at  Carmel  from  about 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  county  in  1812  until  about 
1817  when  he  removed  to  Peekskill,  where  he  continued  in 
practice  for  some  years,  and  afterward  became  a  clerk  in  one  of 
the  departments  of  the  government  at  Washington,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  in  1843.  He  married  a  Miss  Margaret 
Diven,  of  Peekskill,  by  whom  he  had  three  daughters.  He 
was  surrogate  of  Putnam  county  from  April  2d,  1813,  to  Feb- 
ruary 28th,  1815. 

George  W.  Niven  practiced  law  at  Carmel  from  1812  to 
1815,  a  part  of  the  time  in  partnership  with  Walker  Todd.  He 
removed  to  Poughkeepsie  and  from  there  to  New  York.  The 
date  of  his  death  has  not  been  ascertained.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Robert  Johnston  of  Carmel. 

Frederic  Stone,  son  of  Darius  and  Anna  (Hill)  Stone,  was 
born  in  Guilford,  Conn.,  March  21st,  1785.  He  received  his 
education  at  the  old  academy  in  Patterson,  N.  Y.,  under  the 
Rev.  Mr.  MacNeece,  a  distinguished  classical  scholar  and  a 
graduate  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin.  After  he  had  been  fitted 
to  enter  the  sophomore  class  in  Yale  College  his  health  became 


-^  /^z^ 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  227 

impaired  and  the  idea  of  a  college  education  was  reluctantly- 
abandoned. 

He  began  the  study  of  the  law  with  Harvy  Swift  of  Beekman, 
completed  his  legal  studies  in  the  office  of  General  Brush  of 
Poughkeepsie,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1812.     April 
16th,   1816,    he  was  appointed  Master  in  Chancery  by  G-ov. 
Daniel  D.  Tompkins.     In  October,  1820,  he  married  Margaret 
E.  Howland,  daughter  of  William  Howland  and  niece  of  Dr. 
Howland  of  Patterson.     February  27th,  1821,  he  was  appointed 
by  DeWitt  Clinton,  district  attorney  of  Putnam  county,  and 
continued  in   that   office   until  February  25th,  1829,  when  he 
was  appointed  by  Martin  Van  Buren,  then  governor  of  New 
York,  by  whom  he  was  examined  when  admitted  to  the  Bar, 
first  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Putnam  county. 
His   connection  with   the  bench   was    terminated  voluntarily 
April  27th,  1833,  in  order  to  return  to  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession.    He  was  again  appointed  district  attorney  in  1837,  this 
time  by  Governor  William  L.  Marcy,  and  held  the  office  for  the 
ensuing  ten  years.      It  was  during  this  time  that  Denny  was 
convicted  of  murder  and  hanged  in   the  Court  House  yard  at 
Carmel,    being   the   only   criminal  ever   executed  in    Putnam 
county. 

In  1842  Judge  Stone  was  a  candidate  for  State  Senator,  but 
was  defeated  in  the  convention  by  one  vote,  Abraham  Bockee 
of  Dutchess  county,  receiving  the  nomination.  In  1843  he  re- 
ceived the  regular  democratic  nomination  for  the  Assembly  but 
was  defeated  by  an  independent  candidate  from  the  western 
part  of  the  county. 

In  November,  1850,  he  was  elected  district  attorney  and  held 
the  office  for  the  next  three  years,  being  succeeded  by  Charles 
Ga  Nun.  Judge  Stone  continued  in  the  active  practice  of  his 
profession  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Pat- 
terson, December  2d,  1857.  His  widow  survived  him  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  and  his  three  daughters,  Mary  A.  Stone, 
Jane  C.  Stone  and  Frances  E.  Barnum,  widow  of  the  late  Le 
Kay  Barnum,  are  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Patterson. 

Perhaps  at  the  time  of  his  death  no  man  in  the  county  was 
more  o-enerally  known  to  the  people  than  he.  He  had  been  a 
member  of  the  Bar  since  the  formation  of  the  county  and  from 
that  time  to  the  time  of  his  death  had  been  in  active  legal  prac- 
tice.    The  difficult  and  responsible  duties  appertaining  to  the 


228  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

offices  of  county  judge  and  district  attorney  were  satisfactorily 
discharged.  Many  important  criminal  trials  were  successfully 
conducted  by  him. 

As  a  lawyer  Judge  Stone  was  sound,  faithful  and  honest.  No 
client,  we  think,  ever  had  occasion  to  complain  of  his  want  of 
vigilance  or  perseverance.  He  was  the  contemporary  of  Todd, 
Hine,  Cowles,  Swift,  Cleveland  and  Nelson,  and  always  believed 
that  these  distinguished  men  were  superior  to  the  generation 
that  succeeded  them. 

In  politics  Judge  Stone  was  a  democrat.  His  political  course 
was  always  regular  and  straightforward.  He  died  a  member  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  It  was  his  fortune  to  move 
calmly  and  quietly  through  life  and  his  record  is  clean  and 
pure. 

Walker  Todd  was  born  in  New  Milford,  Conn.,  about  the 
year  1790.  He  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1810  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  the  law  at  Carmel  in  1813,  in  X->artner- 
ship  with  George  W.  Niven  until  Mr.  Niven  removed  from  the 
county  in  1815.  Mr.  Todd  held  the  office  of  district  attorney 
from  June,  1818,  to  February,  1821.  He  held  the  office  of  sur- 
rogate from  March,  1819,  to  Februarj^,  1821,  and  from  January, 
1833,  to  September  30th,  1839.  He  was  appointed  an  inspector 
of  the  State  prison  at  Sing  Sing  in  1832  and  held  the  office  until 
1840.  In  November,  1827,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  this 
State  for  the  term  of  four  years,  and  served  for  the  full  term. 
In  November,  ]836,  he  was  the  regular  democratic  candidate  for 
Congress  in  the  district  compi'ised  of  Westchester  and  Putnam 
counties,  but  was  defeated  by  Grouverneur  Kemble  who  ran  as 
a  stump  candidate.  Mr.  Todd  continued  the  practice  of  the  law 
at  Carmel  until  near  the  time  of  his  death,  when  he  received  a 
stroke  of  paralysis  which  terminated  his  active  career.  He  died 
in  August,  1840.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Smith,  by  whom  he 
had  a  large  family  of  children. 

Jeremiah  Hine,  son  of  Charles  Hine,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Southeast,  January  26th,  1795.  He  graduated  at  Yale  College 
in  the  class  of  1815,  and  at  once  commenced  the  study  of  the 
law.  In  1820  he  commenced  practice  at  Carmel  and  in  the  latter 
part  of  that  year  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  B.  Cowles, 
which  continued  until  Mr.  Cowles  removed  to  the  city  of  New 
York  in  1834.  Mr.  Hine  continued  in  practice  at  Carmel  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  August  24th,  1838.     He  held  the  office 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  229 

of  surrogate  of  Putnam  county  from  March  28th,  1822,  to  Jan- 
Tiary  31st,  1833.  He  was  district  attorney  from  September  8th, 
1829,  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  married  Miss  Zillah  Cole,  by 
whom  he  had  one  son,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Henry  B.  Cowles,  .son  of  Elias  and  Lydia  (Adams)  Cowles, 
was  born  in  Litchfield,  Conn.,  March  18fch,  1798.  His  maternal 
grandfather,  Andrew  Adams,  was  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress  in  1778,  and  was  chief  justice  of  the  Superior  Court 
of  Connecticut  from  1793  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Cowles  removed  to  Rhinebeck,  Dutchess 
county,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  1804.  Mr.  Cowles  graduated  at 
Union  College  in  1816,  and  while  in  college  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society.  He  studied  law  under 
Judge  Reeves  of  Litchfield,  and  after  practicing  for  a  few 
months  at  Beekman,  in  Dutchess  county,  removed  to  Carmel  in 
1820,  where  he  formed  a  i)artnership  with  Jeremiah  Hine  under 
the  firm  name  of  Cowles  &  Hine,  and  .continued  in  practice 
there  until  the  year  1834,  when  he  opened  an  office  in  New  York 
city  where  he  continued  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession 
until  1860.  Prom  that  time  he  undertook  no  new  cases  and 
about  the  year  1865  retired  from  law  practice  entirely.  In  1870 
he  removed  to  Farmington,  Conn.,  where  he  continued  to  reside 
until  his  death  which  occurred  in  New  York  while  on  a  tempo- 
rary visit,  May  17th,  1873. 

While  residing  in  Putnam  county  Mr.  Cowles  was  for  three 
consecutive  years  elected  to  the  Assembly,  serving  in  the  ses- 
sions of  1826,  1827  and  1828.  While  in  the  Legislature  he  took 
an  active  and  efficient  part  in  the  settlement  of  the  Astor  claim, 
securing  the  passage  of  the  several  acts  under  which  the  State 
of  New  York  assumed  the  payment  to  John  Jacob  Astor  of 
$450,000  in  satisfaction  of  his  claim  as  purchaser,  to  the  lands 
in  Putnam  county  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  Roger  Morris,  which 
were  confiscated  by  the  State,  and  to  which  titles  had  been  given 
by  the  State  through  deeds  executed  by  commissioners  of  for- 
feiture. In  the  celebrated  suits  brought  to  establish  Mr.  Astor' s 
claim,  Mr.  Cowles  was  one  of  the  counsel  on  the  part  of  the 
State.  In  1828  Mr.  Cowles  was  elected  to  Congress  from  the 
District  composed  of  Westchester  and  Putnam  counties.  He 
was  never  married. 

Elijah  Yerks,  son  of  William  Yerks,  was  born  in  Mount 
Pleasant,  Westchester  county,  about  the  year  1806.    After  being 


230  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

admitted  to  the  Bar,  he  commenced  practice  in  Carmel  in  1839, 
and  remained  in  practice  there  until  1851,  when  he  removed  to 
Tarrytown,  where  he  continued  in  practice  until  his  death 
which  occurred  in  1864.  In  1847  he  was  the  regular  democratic 
candidate  for  county  judge  of  Putnam  county.  He  was  never 
married. 

Howard  Hart  White,  son  of  Ebenezer  B.  White,  was  born 
in  Banbury,  Connecticut,  in  1810.  He  entered  Yale  College 
but  did  not  graduate.  He  attended  the  Yale  Law  School  dur- 
ing the  years  1829  and  1830,  and  studied  law  in  New  York  city 
in  the  office  of  Charles  O'Connor.  After  his  admission  to  the 
Bar  he  practiced  law  for  several  years,  occupying  the  same 
office  with  Henry  B.  Cowles,  through  whose  advice  he  came  to 
Carmel,  where  he  opened  a  law  office  in  September,  1839.  He 
was  appointed  surrogate  of  Putnam  county  September  30th, 
1839,  and  held  the  office  until  April  2d,  1840,  when  failing 
health  compelled  him  to  resign.  He  died  in  Danbury,  April 
4th,  1840,  of  consumption.  He  married  Emma  Hart,  of  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  both  of  whom  died  before 
arriving  at  maturity. 

Benjamin  Bailey,  son  of  Benjamin  Bailey,  was  born  in 
Carmel  in  1813.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1842  and  im- 
mediately thereafter  commenced  the  practice  uf  the  law  in 
Carmel,  where  he  remained  until  the  j'^ear  1853,  when  he  opened 
an  office  in  New  York  city.  He  continued  in  practice  in  New 
York  until  1855,  when  he  resumed  his  practice  in  Carmel  and 
remained  in  practice  there  until  within  a  few  years  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  13th,  1872. 

Mr.  Bailey  represented  Putnam  county  in  the  Assembly  in 
the  years  1845,  1846  and  1856.  In  1848  he  was  the  candidate 
of  the  Barnburner  wing  of  the  democratic  party  for  representa- 
tive in  Congress  in  the  district  composed  of  Dutchess  and 
Putnam  counties. 

As  a  lawyer  he  was  often  called  to  the  defense  in  criminal 
cases.  The  most  noted  case  in  which  he  was  engaged  was  that 
of  George  Denny,  who  was  tried  for  the  murder  of  Abraham 
Wanzer,  in  1843.  Denny  was  tried  twice,  the  jury  failing  to 
agree  upon  the  first  trial,  but  upon  the  second  he  was  found 
guilty  and  afterward  executed.  Mr.  Bailey  tried  the  case  fqr 
the  defendant  upon  both  occasions  and  was  indefatigable  in  his 
efforts  to  save  him. 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  231 

Mr.  Bailey  married  Calista  Wilson  and  left  two  sons  surviv- 
ing him.  The  eldest,  Elbert  T.,  resides  at  Mount  Kisco,  and 
has  been  president  of  the  village.  The  youngest,  William  F., 
is  a  lawyer  residing  at  Ean  Claire,  Wisconsin. 

John  Grifpen  Miller,  son '  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth 
(Griffen)  Miller,  was  born  at  Yorktown,  Westchester  county, 
New  York,  December  23d,  1814.  While  engaged  in  school 
teaching  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law,  at  first  with  Ben- 
jamin Bailey  and  afterward  at  Somers  with  Lee  &  Briggs,  and 
was  admitted  to  practice  in  1846.  In  the  spring  of  1847  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Carmel  where  he  opened  a  law  office  and 
contini^ed  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profession  until  near  the 
time  of  his  death  which  occurred  March  31st,  1885. 

He  twice  held -the  office  of  district  attorney,  the  first  time 
by  appointment  of  the  governor  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  Charles  Ga  Nun,  being  appointed  April 
10th,  1850,  and  holding  the  office  until  January  1st,  1851;  and 
the  second  time  by  election  in  November,  1853,  for  the  term  of 
three  years.  He  was  appointed  assessor  of  internal  revenue  for 
the  10th  District  of  New  York,  comprising  the  counties  of 
Westchester,  Putnam  and  Rockland,  by  President  Grant,  on 
the  15th  of  April,  1869,  and  held  the  office  for  several  years. 

Mr.  Miller  was  twice  married.  His  first  'wife,  Phebe  P., 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Patience  Carpenter,  to  whom  he  was 
married  September  20ih,  1837,  died  May  8th,  1856.  By  her  he 
had  seven  children,  of  whom  three  sons  and  a  daughter  survive 
him.  His  eldest  son,  William  I.,  formerly  deputy  county  clerk 
of  Putnam  county,  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-three.  His  second 
son,  Henry  F.,  is  a  dental  surgeon  residing  in  Carmel.  His  third 
son,  Abram  J.,  is  a  lawyer  and  present  district  attorney  of  Put- 
nam county,  residing  in  Brewster.  His  fourth  son,  Alonzo  B., 
is  a  dental  surgeon  residing  in  New  York  city.  His  daughter, 
Phebe  P.,  is  the  wife  of  James  A.  Foshay,  the  present  school 
commissioner  of  Putnam  county. 

Mr.  Miller's  second  wife,  Emily  A.  Cutts,  of  Kittery,  Maine, 
to  whom  he  was  married  September  25th,  1860,  and  by  whom 
he  has  one  daughter,  Anna  C,  survives  him. 

Charles  Ga  Nun,  son  of  Edward  Ga  Nun,  was  born  in 
North  Salem  in  1817.  He  prepared  for  college  at  the  North 
Salem  and  Peekskill  Academies,  and  graduated  at  Williams 
College  in  1839.     He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Ambrose  L. 


232  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COTJNTY. 

Jordan  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1842.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year  he  opened  a  law  office  at  Carmel  and  remained  in 
practice  there  until  1858,  when  he  removed  to  New  York  city, 
where  he  continued  in  law  jjractice  until  his  death  which  oc- 
curred in  November,  1862.  From  the  year  1848  Peter  M.  Jordan, 
late  of  Hudson,  was  associated  with  him.  Mr.  Ga  Nun's  attain- 
ments as  a  lawyer  were  so  well  recognized  that  his  office  was  a 
favorite  school  for  law  students,  and  many  young  men  received 
their  legal  education  under  his  guidance. 

Mr.  Ga  Nun  was  elected  district  attorney  in  1847,  but  resigned 
the  office  in  1850.  He  was  the  candidate  of  the  Hunker  wing 
of  the  democratic  party  for  representative  in  Congress  in  1848, 
and  in  1855,  was  a  candidate  for  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
for  the  Second  Judicial  District.  Mr.  Ga  Nun  was  never 
married. 

Peter  M.  Jordan  was  born  at  Claverack,  Columbia  county. 
New  York,  October  21st,  1818.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Dr. 
Abram  Jordan,  an  eminent  physician  of  that  place.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  class  of  1838  of  Union  College,  but  did  not  gradu- 
ate. He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  his  uncle,  Ambrose  L. 
Jordan,  a  man  of  great  ability,  and  afterward  attorney  general 
of  the  State,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  about  the  year  1842* 
After  practicing  his  profession  for  a  few  years  in  Hudson  he  re- 
moved to  Carmel  in  1848,  where  he  became  associated  with 
Charles  Ga  Nun,  remaining  with  him  at  Carmel  until  1858,  when 
they  established  an  office  in  New  York  city  and  continued  in 
practice  there  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Ga  Nun  in  1862.  After 
that  time  Mr.  Jordan  continued  at  Hudson  until  his  death 
which  occurred  February  1st,  1886.  Mr.  Jordan  was  elected 
district  attorney  of  Putnam  county  in  November,  1856,  and  held 
the  office  until  he  removed  to  New  York.  He  married  Miss  Jane 
Flaherty  who  survives  him. 

William  A.  Dean,  son  of  Eichard  Dean,  was  born  in  Carmel, 
January  4th,  1819.  He  was  educated  at  private  schools  and  at 
the  Peekskill  Academy.  He  studied  law  with  Ward  &  Lock- 
wood  at  Sing  Sing,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1845.  Be 
commenced  practice  at  Carmel  immediately  after  his  admission 
and  remained  in  practice  at  that  place  until  the  year  1853,  when 
he  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York,  where  he  continued  to 
practice  until  his  death  which  occurred  July  12th,  1854.  While 
at  Carmel  he  was  twice  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  holding  the 


GJiNEKAL   HISTORY.  233 

office  from  April,  1847,  uutil  he  removed  from  the  county.  He 
was  never  married. 

Levi  H.  McCoy  was  born  January  8th,  1822,  at  Wantage, 
Sussex  county,  New  Jersey.  He  studied  law  at  Goshen  and  at 
Newburgh  with  Judge  Monell  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 

1848.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  at  Cold  Spring  in 

1849,  and  continued  in  active  practice  until  his  death  which 
occurred  suddenly  January  29th,  1868.  In  1860,  he  opened  an 
office  in  New  York  city,  practicing  in  both  places  at  that  time. 
In  1858,  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  Pumam  county,  hold- 
ing the  office  for  the  term  of  three  years.  December  5th,  1852, 
he  married  Angeline  Phillips  of  Cold  Spring,  by  whom  he  had 
four  sons. 

James  Dynes  Little  was  born  in  New  York  city,  May 
15th,  1832.  In  his  young  days  he  learned  the  printer's  trade, 
and  in  1849,  at  the  early  age  of  seventeen,  he  came  to  Carmel 
and  assumed  the  editorial  and  general  management  of  the 
"  Putnam  Democrat."  In  1852  he  was  elected  a  justice  of  the 
peace  and  held  the  office  until  January,  1857,  when  he  was 
appointed  an  inspector  in  the  New  York  Custom  House.  This 
position  he  resigned  for  that  of  private  secretary  to  Collector 
Schell.  In  July,  1861,  having  resigned  his  position  in  New 
York,  he  went  to  the  West,  and  having  previously  devoted  his 
spare  time  to  the  study  of  the  law  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  Missouri,  and  in  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  Ex- 
Governor  Beebe,  opened  a  law  office  in  Kansas  City.  But  the 
Civil  War  destroyed  business  and  the  office  was  soon  closed. 
Mr.  Little  returned  East  and  in  December,  1861,  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  of  this  State.  In  April,  1862,  he  opened  a  law  office 
in  Carmel  and  continued  in  active  practice  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  Mr.  Little  established  the  "Putnam  County  Courier " 
and  was  its  editor  during  all  his  residence  in  the  county,  rais- 
ing it  to  a  high  state  of  prosperity. 

In  1864  and  again  in  1867  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of 
the  county,  holding  the  office  ^or  six  years. 

Mr.  Little  married.  August  28th,  1854,  Mary  Virginia, 
daughter  of  Elder  Gilbert  Beebe  of  Middletown,  N.  Y.  Five 
daughters  and  three  sons  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  all  ex- 
cept the  eldest  son  and  youngest  daughter,  survive. 

In  the  fall  of  1877  Mr.  Little  was  prostrated  by  a  severe  at- 


234  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

tack  of  pneumonia  from  which  he  never  fully  recovered.  He 
died  August  24th,  1883. 

Chaeles  Henry  Slosson,  son  of  Augustus  D.  Slosson,  was 
born  in  North  Salem,  Westchester  county,  New  York,  Feb- 
ruary 28th,  1842.  He  entered  Yale  College  in  the  class  which 
graduated  in  1863,  but  after  remaining  in  college  two  years  was 
obliged  to  leave  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  studied  law  at 
White  Plains,  with  Close  &  Robertson,  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  June,  1865.  He  immediately  commenced  practice  at 
Brewster,  and  remained  in  practice  at  that  place  until  August, 
1867,  when  he  was  prostrated  with  pneumonia,  leaving  him 
very  weak  and  ending  in  quick  consumption,  of  which  he  died 
June  22d,  1868.  September  6ch,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Emily 
Teller,  daughter  of  Dr.  Harrison  Teller  of  Brooklyn,  by  whom 
he  had  one  son,  Harrison  Teller  Slosson,  born' in  September, 
1867,  now  a  student  in  Columbia  College. 

Samul  J.  Owen  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1843.  After 
being  admitted  to  the  Bar,  he  practiced  law  at  Cold  Spring  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  October  21st,  1877.  He  was  dis- 
trict attorney  for  two  terms,  holding  the  office  for  six  years, 
commencing  January  Ist,  1871.  He  married  Isabella  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Rusk,  by  whom  he  had  several  children.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  18th  Regiment  of  New  York  Volunteers,  in 
the  suppression  of  the  rebellion. 

The  following  have  retired  from  practice  or  removed  from 
the  county: 

Owen  Tristram  Coffin,  son  of  Robert  Coffin,  was  born  in 
Washington,  Dutchess  county,  July  17th,  1815.  He  graduated 
at  Union  College  in  1837;  studied  law  with  Judge  Rufus  W. 
Peckham  at  Albany;  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1840;  and  com- 
menced practice  at  Carmel,  remaining  there  about  two  years, 
when  he  removed  to  Poughkeepsie.  He  remained  in  practice 
at  Poughkeepsie  until  1851,  when  he  removed  to  Peekskill, 
Westchester  county,  where  he  has  resided  to  the  present  time. 
In  November,  1870,  he  was  elected  surrogate  of  Westchester 
county  and  still  holds  the  office.  He  has  been  twice  married. 
His  first  wife  was  Belinda  E.  Maison,  and  his  second,  Harriette 
Barlow. 

William  J.  Bl.ake  was  born  July  22d,  1817,  at  the  Blake 
homestead,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of   Montgomery, 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  235 

Orange  county,  New  York.  He  is  a  son  of  Hon.  Edward  and 
Chloe  Belknap  Blake,  and  with  his  twin  brother,  David  A.,  is 
the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eight  children.  His  ancestors 
were  English  on  his  paternal  and  maternal  side.  The  ancestral 
line  is  traceable  back  to  Robert  Blake,  a  member  of  the  Long 
Parliament,  which  resisted  the  usurpation  and  tyranny  of  King 
Charles  I.  until  civil  war  was  the  result.  He  was  appointed  a 
general  in  the  Parliamentary  array  and  resigned  his  seat  at  the 
beginning  of  the  struggle  with  the  King  in  1642.  In  1649,  he 
was  transferred  from  the  land  to  the  naval  forces,  with  the 
title  of  "  General  of  the  Sea."  In  1652,  he  became  chief  ad- 
miral. He  is  regarded  by  all  Englishmen  as  the  "Father  of 
the  British  Navy."  He  was  born  at  Bridgewater,  Somerset- 
shire, England:  and  from  that  family  nest  his  descendants  have 
winged  their  way  to  Scotland,  the  north  of  Ireland,  Canada 
and  the  United  States. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  three  brothers  of 
the  name  of  Blake,  emigrated  from  England  to  this  country. 
One  settled  in  Massachusetts,  one  in  Pennsylvania,  and  one  on 
Long  Island,  who  subsequently  removed  to  Orange  county, 
New  York.  The  latter  was  the  great-grandfather  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Tiie  descendants  of  these  three  emigrant 
brothers  are  numerous,  and  may  be  found  in  half  of  the  States 
of  the  Union. 

Mr.  Blake's  mother  was  a  descendant  of  the  Belknap  family, 
English  Puritans  who  emigated  to  Massachusetts,  a  member  of 
which  (who  was  her  father)  subsequently  removed  and  settled  a 
short  distance  north  of  Providence,  in  Rhode  Island. 

After  attending  a  common  school  until  he  was  nearly  fifteen 
years  of  age,  Mr.  Blake  commenced  his  academic  course  at  the 
Montgomery  Academy,  Orange  county,  where  he  remained 
until  April,  1837,  when  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of 
Union  College  at  Schenectady,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
June,  1839,  and  in  the  following  September  went  South,  and  for 
one  year  was  a  tutor  in  the  family  of  a  naval  commander.  In 
September,  1840,  he  returned  home  and  commenced  the  study 
of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Charles  Borland,  of  Montgomery. 
In  December,  1843,  he  was  licensed  as  an  attorney  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  at  Rochester.  His  father  told  him  that  if  he  was 
licensed  to  "return  home,  stay  till  spring,  and  look  around  for 
a  place  to  settle."     From  Rochester  he  went  to  New  York  to 


236  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTT. 

visit  relatives,  and  on  his  return  stopped  at  Cold  Spring  (but 
without  a  thought  of  settling  there)  to  visit  a  lady  whom  his 
father  and  mother  had  brought  up  from  girlhood.  Yisiting  a 
Justice's  Court  the  next  day,  in  company  with  a  former  resi- 
dent of  Newburgh,  he  was  retained  to  try  two  causes  in  succes- 
sion, won  both,  and  was  retained  to  try  five  others  during  the 
remainder  of  the  week.  He  concluded  that,  since  there  was 
apparently  "a  sight  of  petty  litigation"  there,  he  might  as 
well  remain  there  the  remainder  of  the  winter  and  begin  the 
practice  of  law,  instead  of  going  home  and  doing  nothing  until 
spring.  He  had  no  office,  nor  a  law  book  with  him,  was  simply 
a  visitor,  and,  with  the  exception  of  those  he  called  on,  a 
stranger  in  the  place.  Even  then  he  had  no  intention  of  set- 
tling there. 

He  went  to  New  York,  bought  a  few  necessary  books,  returned 
to  Cold  Spring,  rented  an  office,  and  hung  out  his  sign.  Before 
spring  came  he  concluded  that  he  might  as  well  remain  there  as 
to  seek  a  location  elsewhere.  In  1846,  Governor  Silas  Wright 
appointed  him  a  master  and  examiner  in  the  Court  of  Chancery. 
In  1848,  when  not  engaged  in  office  business  or  attending  courts, 
he  hastily  gathered  up  materials  for  a  "History  of  Putnam 
County,"  which  he  wrote  during  leisure  hours,  and  published 
it  in  the  winter  of  1849. 

Conscious  that  his  hearing  was  becoming  too  much  impaired 
to  further  prosecute  his  profession  with  any  hope  of  profit  and 
success,  he  closed  his  oflice  in  April,  1850,  and  made  a  tour 
through  Minnesota,  visiting  Stillwater,  St.  Paul  and  the  Crow 
Wing  Indian  Agency,  about  one  hundred  miles  northwest  of 
St.  Paul,  where  he  spent  the  summer,  and  returned  late  in  the 
fall  to  St.  Paul,  where  he  passed  the  winter.  In  the  spring  of 
1851,  he  returned  to  Orange  county.  In  September,  1852,  the 
late  proprietor  of  the  "  Putnam  County  Courier"  sent  him  an 
invitation  to  become  associate  editor  of  the  "Courier."  He 
accepted  and  came  to  Carmel  in  the  above  named  month  and 
year. 

In  1854,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Carmel,  under  Presi- 
dent Pierce's  administration.  June  12th,  1858,  he  founded  the 
"  Putnam  Free  Press,"  the  first  republican  newspaper  estab- 
lished in  Putnam  county,  edited  and  published  it  until  October 
17th,  1868,  when  he  sold  it  to  A.  J.  Hicks.  February  14th, 
1880,  a  member  of  his  family  purchased  the  office  and  paper 


/C^^^oe  Oi-^--^  y 


>^ 


'^  . 


GENERAL  HISTOBY.  337 

from  Mr.  Hicks,  and  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  from 
"Gleneida  Monitor,"  to  "Putnam  County  Republican."  He 
again  became  its  political  and  literary  editor,  and  Ida  M.,  his 
daughter,  its  publisher  and  proprietor,  and  junior  editor. 

He  married  Miss  Emelinda  Minor,  daughter  of  the  late  Charles 
Minor,  of  Carmel,  and  has  three  daughters. 

On  an  adjoining  page  will  be  found  Mr.  Blake's  portrait, 
taken  at  the  age  of  thirtj^-two  years. 

Hon.  Jackson  O.  Dykman  was  born  in  the  town  of  Patter- 
son in  Putnam  county.  His  great-grandfather,  Joseph  Dykman, 
settled  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Southeast,  in  Putnam  county, 
and  beeame  a  captain  in  the  Continental  Army  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary War. 

His  early  life  was  the  uneventful  career  of  a  boy  in  the  county 
attending  the  common  school  of  the  neighborhood  and  working 
on  a  farm.  In  this  manner  he  obtained  sufficient  education  to 
enable  him  to  teach  a  common  school  at  a  very  early  age.  He 
pursued  this  occupation  until  he  commenced  the  study  of  the 
law  in  the  office  of  the  Hon.  William  Nelson  then  a  prominent 
lawyer  at  Peekskill,  Westchester  county,  who  manifested  a 
lively  interest  in  his  advancement  and  gave  him  generous  aid 
and  assistance. 

After  his  admission  to  the  Bar  he  settled  in  Cold  Spring,  Put- 
nam county,  where  he  was  shortly  after  elected  to  the  office  of 
school  commissioner,  and  afterward  to  the  office  of  district  at- 
torney of  the  county. 

In  the  spring  of  1866  ilr.  Dykman  removed  to  White  Plains, 
in  Westchester  county,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

In  the  fall  of  1868  he  was  elected  by  a  very  handsome  ma- 
jority to  the  office  of  district  attorney  of  Westchester  county, 
then  a  very  responsible  position,  which  he  filled  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  people.  He  particularly  distinguished  him- 
self by  the  energy,  skill  and  success  with  which  he  prosecuted 
the  famous  Buckhout  murder  case,  one  of  the  celebrated  cases 
in  the  history  of  the  county. 

In  the  fall  of  1875  Mr.  Dykman  was  elected  to  the  high  office 
of  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of  New  York  for 
the  Second  Judicial  District  by  a  union  of  both  political  par- 
ties. He  was  nominated  and  supported  as  the  regular  candidate 
of  the  republican  party  and  elected  by  the  people  by  a  majority 
exceeding  ten  thousand. 


238  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

That  nomination  made  by  a  party  with  which  he  had  never 
acted  was  a  splendid  tribute  to  his  ability,  and  the  result  has^ 
shown  that  the  confidence  of  the  people  was  not  misplaced. 
In  the  performance  of  his  Judicial  duties  Judge  Dykman  is 
ever  patient,  affable  and  courteous.  He  is  kind  and  obliging  to 
the  members  of  the  bar,  especially  to  the  younger  lawyers. 

Judge  Dykman  has  been  a  member  of  the  general  term  of  the 
Supreme  Court  from  the  time  he  took  his  seat  on  the  bench, 
and  his  opinions  in  that  court  in  the  numerous  cases  on  appeal 
evince  laborious  research,  sound  Judgment  and  discretion,  and 
absolute  fairness  and  impartiality,  and  demonstrate  the  pro- 
priety of  his  elevation  to  the  high  Judicial  position  he  occupies. 
At  the  circuit  for  the  trial  of  cases  he  is  a  favorite  with  both 
lawyers  and  suitors  for  his  patience  and  impartiality.  He 
manifests  great  love  for  Justice  and  right  and  deep  abhorrence 
for  wrong  and  oppression. 

Judge  Dykman  is  emphatically  a  man  of  the  people,  with 
whom  he  has  always  mingled  freely  and  sympathized  fully,  and 
whose  interests  he  has  ever  been  ready  to  maintain  and  defend; 
and  he  listens  with  willingness  to  the  petitions  and  complaints 
of  all,  and  the  people  love  him  and  place  reliance  upon  him. 
He  is  a  man  of  simple  habits  and  modest  deportment,  but  studi- 
ously observes  the  quality  of  amenity  and  propriety,  and  treats 
all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact  with  great  consideration  and 
politeness.  In  many  ways  he  is  an  illustration  of  what  may  be 
accomplished  under  our  Republican  institutions  where  the 
highest  positions  are  within  the  grasp  of  all.  By  energy  and 
perseverance  he  has  risen  to  a  high  position  without  the  aid  of 
wealth  or  influence.  The  people  have  found  him  a  man  on  whom 
they  could  rely  and  have  accordingly  bestowed  on  him  their 
confidence  and  raised  him  to  eminence,  and  it  is  not  too  much 
to  say  that  he  has  fulfilled  all  their  expectations.  There  never 
was  a  stain  on  his  private  character  nor  on  his  public  record, 
and  the  breath  of  suspicion  has  never  reached  him. 

In  his  domestic  and  private  life  he  has  been  exemplary  and 
fortunate.  He  was  early  married  to  Miss  Emily  L.  Trowbridge,  of 
Peekskill,  a  descendant  of  the  New  Haven  family  of  that  name, 
a  most  excellent  and  domestic  lady  who  aided  and  encouraged 
him  in  all  his  struggles,  and  he  nevsr  hesitated  to  declare  that 
he  owed  his  success  and  advancement  to  her  untiring  energy 
and  zeal,  her  wise  counsel  and  advice,  and  her  laudable  ambi. 


■Y\£\Aa 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  239 

tion.  In  many  dark  days  she  showed  him  the  silver  lining  of 
the  dark  cloud  and  gave  him  new  hope  and  energy.  She  still 
lives  to  share  his  honors  and  his  prosperity  as  she  would  his 
adversity,  a  noble  example  of  a  faithful  wife,  a  devoted 
mother  and  a  benevolent  Christian  woman. 

They  have  two  sons,  both  of  whom  are  lawyers.  The  elder, 
William  N.  Dykman,  married  Miss  Bell  Annan,  and  is  prac- 
ticing his  profession  very  successfully  in  Brooklyn.  The 
younger,  Henry  T.  Dykman,  married  Miss  Ella  B.  Clyne,  of 
Dutchess  county,  and  is  practicing  law  in  White  Plains,  where 
he  has  accumulated  a  very  good  practice. 

Such  is  thti  Honorable  Jackson  O.  Dykman,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  and  his  example  may  well  be  imitated  by  the  young 
men  of  the  county. 

He  is  a  democrat  in  the  broadest  sense  of  the  term,  but  not 
a  partisan,  and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

George  William  Hokton,  son  of  Morgan  Horton,  was  born 
in  Southeast,  January  21st,  1857.  He  graduated  at  the  State 
Normal  School,  Albany,  in  1875.  He  studied  law  with  Close  & 
Robertson  at  White  Plains,  and  graduated  at  the  jSTew  York 
University  Law  School  in  1878,  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  He 
practiced  law  in  New  York  city  and  at  Brewster,  in  Putnam 
county.     He  is  nor  at  present  in  active  practice. 

The  following  are  at  the  present  time  in  practice  in  Putnam 
county: 

Ambrose  Ryder.  Among  the  members  of  the  legal  profes- 
sion, a  prominent  place  must  be  given  to  Hon.  Ambrose  Rj^der, 
who  has  been  for  many  years  closely  identified  with  its  in- 
terests and  is  at  the  present  time  the  oldest  practicing  lawyer 
in  the  county. 

Judge  Ryder  was  born  in  Southeast,  on  the  old  family  home- 
stead near  Peach  Pond,  March  5th,  1826;  being  the  eldest 
child  of  Stephen  and  Betsy  (Nichols)  Ryder;  a  more  extended 
account  of  whom  will  be  found  in  the  article  on  the  "Ryder 
family,"  in  another  portion  of  this  work.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  at  the  North  Salem  Academj^  then  under  the  care 
of  Prof.  John  F.  Jenkins.  At  this  institution  he  was  a  fellow 
pupil  of  Gen.  Darius  N.  Couch,  and  D.  0.  Mills,  the  noted 
millionaire.  He  entered  Williams  College  and  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1846.     After  leaving  college  Judge  Ryder 


240  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Studied  law  in  the  office  of  Charles  Ga  Nun,  Esq.,  of  Carmel, 
and  continued  it  with  Henry  B.  Cowles.  Having  been  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1849,  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
the  village  of  Carmel,  where  he  has  continued  it  till  the  present 
time.  In  the  fall  of  1851  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county 
judge  and  was  twice  re-elected,  holding  the  position  for  a  period 
of  twelve  years.  In  February,  1878,  Judge  Ryder  was  ap- 
pointed county  treastirer,  to  fill  a  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Mr.  John  Cornish.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  supervisor 
of  Carmel  and  in  the  campaign  of  1868,  he  was  the  republican 
candidate  for  the  position  of  presidential  elector.  From  the 
founding  of  the  Putnam  County  Bank,  he  has  been  closely 
connected  with  its  interests,  and  has  held  the  offices  of  director, 
cashier,  vice-president,  and  president,  in  which  last  position  he 
still  remains. 

Judge  Ryder  was  married,  October  22d,  1849,  to  Miss  Mary 
Miranda,  daughter  of  Rev.  Shaler  J.  and  Catharine  Hilly er. 
The  children  of  this  marriage  are  Hillyer,  the  present  treasurer 
of  Putnam  county;  Clayton,  a  practicing  lawyer  in  Carmel; 
Mary  Grace,  and  Stephen.  All  the  sons  are  graduates  of 
Cornell  University.     Mrs.  Ryder  died  April  23d,  1870. 

Hon.  Edward  Wright.  Among  the  men  of  Putnam  county 
who  have  risen  by  their  own  unaided  efforts  to  positions  of 
trust  and  honor,  a  prominent  place  should  be  given  to  Edward 
Wright,  who  was  for  twenty  years  judge  of  Putnam  county. 
Robert  Wright,  the  ancestor  of  this  family,  was  a  resident  of 
that  portion  of  Fredericksburg  Precinct  which  afterward  be- 
came the  town  of  Carmel,  before  the  Revolution,  and  his  son, 
Robert,  was  a  citizen  of  the  same  place  till  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  April  19th,  1852,  at  the  age  of  78.  Robert 
Wright,  jr.,  married  Marian  Cunningham,  and  they  were  the  pa- 
rents of  eight  children:  John,  Robert,  Edward,  Ebenezer,  Mary 
A.,  wife  of  Abel  Ganong,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Eleazar  Ferguson, 
Phebe,  and  Delilah,  wife  of  Smith  Dean. 

John  Wright  is  now  living  at  Lake  Mahopac,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  84.  He  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Ezra  Frost,  who 
was  the  brother  of  Joel  Frost,  the  first  surrogate  of  the  county. 
The  children  of  this  marriage  were  Ebenezer,  who  died  in  1848, 
unmarried,  and  Edward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Judge  Wright  was  born  May  15th,  1826,  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Union  Valley  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  Bailey  Ga- 


Ji'n  a  ihj  liBJjalfc  J./ra  LR' 


GENEJIAL   HISTORY.  241 

nong.  During  his  boyhood  he  attended  the  village  school,  and 
after  some  experience  as  a  teacher  entered  the  Normal  School 
at  Albany,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1848.  After  graduating 
he  followed  the  business  of  teaching  for  several  years,  but  his 
tastes  and  inclinations  being  for  political  affairs  he  soon  became 
a  candidate  for  local  office.  April  2d,  1850,  he  was  elected  town 
suj^erintendent  of  schools,  which  office  he  held  by  successive 
re  elections  until  the  system  was  abolished  by  the  Legislature 
in  1856.  In  1851  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  holding 
that  position  until  March,  1861,  when  he  resigned,  having  been 
elected  county  clerk  in  November,  1860.  The  latter  office  he 
held  for  the  term  of  three  years.  He  was  elected  inspector  of 
election  April  3d,  1855,  and  town  clerk  April  7th,  1857.  He  was 
appointed  census  marshall  and  took  the  United  States  census 
of  Putnam  county  in  1860.  He  was  clerk  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  from  1853  to  1856,  and  from  1858  to  1861.  During 
his  term  as  county  clerk  he  engaged  in  the  study  of  the  law, 
and  previous  to  his  admission  to  the  bar  he  was  elected  county 
judge,  taking  his  seat  in  January,  1864.  This  responsible 
position  Judge  Wright  continued  to  fill  with  ability  and  integ- 
rity till  January,  1884. 

Having  completed  his  law  studies  he  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar,  May  16th,  1866,  and  his  time  not  employed  in  the  perform- 
ance of  judicial  duties  has  been  devoted  to  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  in  which  he  holds  an  honorable  rank  among  the 
members  of  the  Putnam  County  Bar. 

January  1st,  1850,  he  was  married  to  Phebe  E.,  daughter  of 
Job  C.  Austin,  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  county.  Their  chil- 
dren are  Lillie  A.,  wife  of  Henry  A.  Gahn,  and  Mattie,  wife  of 
Willis  A.  Ganong. 

The  home  of  Judge  Wright  is  situated  on  the  road  to  Croton 
Falls,  a  short  distance  from  Lake  Mahopac,  being  a  portion  of 
the  farm  of  Benjamin  Townsend,  at  whose  house  the  first 
Methodist  meetings  in  that  section  were  held.  This  place  he 
bought  of  John  Beyea  in  1850  and  it  has  since  been  his  home. 

A  prominent  member  of  the  democratic  party,  Judge  Wright 
has  been  a  frequent  delegate  to  State  and  judicial  conventions, 
and  his  well  merited  success  in  official  as  well  as  financial 
matters  is  the  natural  result  of  steady  perseverance  and  unceas- 
ing labor. 

16 


242  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Charles  H.  Ferris  was  born  in  Matteawan,  Dutchess  county, 
New  York,  in  December,  1834.  About  two  years  after,  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Cold  Spring,  where  he  still  resides. 
His  parents,  Philander  and  Mary  A.  (Lockwood)  Ferris,  were 
born  in  Connecticut.  Soon  after  their  marriage  they  located  at 
Matteawan,  N.  Y.,  where  two  children,  Elethea  and  Charles 
H.,  were  born.  His  father  was  a  mason  and  builder,  and  built 
many  of  the  early  buildings  erected  in  Cold  Spring,  I^elson- 
ville  and  vicinity.  His  mother  died  in  October,  1877.  His 
father  is  still  living,  at  Cold  Spring,  at  the  age  of  eighty.  He 
has  one  brother  and  two  sisters  now  living,  viz.,  Elethea,  wife 
of  Smith  Forman,  Josiah  and  Amy  J. 

Charles  H.  first  attended  school  in  the  brick  school  house  in 
Nelsonville,  and  afterward  in  some  of  the  adjoining  districts. 
About  the  year  1848  he  was  placed  in  a  private  school  in  Cold 
Spring,  of  which  Professor  Daniels  was  principal,  and  in  which 
he  remained  three  years.  After  leaving  this  school  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  J.  O.  Dykman  in 
Cold  Spring,  where  he  remained  for  one  year.  In  1852,  he  en- 
tered the  office  of  Close  &  Kobertson,  at  Mott  Haven,  West- 
chester county,  N.  Y.,  and  remained  with  them  until  1855.  In 
that  year  he  was  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attorney  at  law  by 
the  General  Term  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y. 

After  being  admitted  to  the  Bar  he  continued  in  the  office 
of  Close  &  Robertson  about  one  year,  then  returned  to  Cold 
Spring,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  profession. 

In  1862,  he  was  elected  a  Justice  of  the  peace  of  his  town,  and 
has  continuously  held  this  office  down  to  this  time  (except  for 
about  three  months),  a  period  of  nearly  twenty-four  years,  and 
for  a  large  part  of  the  time  that  he  was  justice  of  the  fJeace,  he 
also  held  the  office  of  police  justice  of  the  town  of  Philipstown, 
under  annual  appointments  by  the  police  commissioners  of  that 
town. 

In  1865;  he  was  appointed  assistant  assessor  of  Internal 
Revenue  for  the  town  of  Philipstown  by  Andrew  Johnson, 
president  of  the  United  States,  and  held  this  office  until  1868. 

In  1866,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Carey,  daughter  of  William 
and  Catharine  Carey  of  New  York  city.  She  was  a  graduate 
of  the  Normal  School,  New  York,  and  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  243 

riage  was,  and  for  some  years  previous  had  been  a  teacher  in 
the  public  schools  in  that  city.  They  have  two  children,  Katie 
L.  and  May  A.  Ferris,  who,  with  an  adopted  son,  Willie  0. 
Ferris,  are  now  attending  the  same  district  school  that  their 
father  attended,  and  in  which  district  he  has  resided  since  he 
came  to  Cold  Spring  in  1836. 

William  Carey,  his  wife's  father,  was  a  successful  merchant 
in  the  city  of  New  York  until  about  1860,  when  he  retired  from 
active  business,  built  a  residence  in  Harlem  in  which  he  has 
resided  since  that  time;  he  is  now  about  eighty  years  of  age. 
His  wife,  Catharine,  died  in  August,  1884. 

In  1868,  he  was  elected  school  commissioner  for  Putnam 
county,  and  held  the  office  for  three  years,  giving  general  satis- 
faction throughout  the  county. 

In  1860  or  1861,  he  was  initiated  and  became  a  member  of 
Philipstown  Lodge,  No.  236,  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  Cold  Spring,  and 
was  thereafter  elected  its  secretary,  holding  that  office  for  six 
or  seven  successive  years. 

In  politics,  he  has  been  a  democrat  since  1862,  and  as  such 
has  been  elected  to  the  various  offices  he  has  held  in  his  town 
and  county. 

Hon.  William  Wood.  Among  the  men  who  have  risen  to 
higli  positions  of  trust  and  usefulness  by  their  own  unaided 
efforts,  a  prominent  place  should  be  given  to  Judge  William 
Wood,  who  was  born  in  County  Down,  near  Belfast,  Ireland, 
August  6th,  1842.  His  parents,  Robert  and  Jane  (Thompson) 
Wood,  resolved  to  emigrate  to  America  when  he  was  yet  a 
child,  and  a  dim  recollection  of  a  spring  that  flowed  by  his 
father's  door,  and  of  a  house  that  stood  on  an  opposite  hill, 
are  the  only  memories  that  he  brought  from  his' native  land. 
Upon  coming  to  this  country  in  the  spring  of  1847,  the  family 
settled  in  Cold  Spring,  and  the  son  obtained  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  that  village. 

When  he  had  reached  a  suitable  age  he  was  placed  as  an  ap- 
prentice in  the  works  of  the  West  Point  Foundry  and  learned 
the  trade  of  an  iron  moulder  and  continued  in  that  business 
till  he  reached  his  thirtieth  year. 

An  accidental  circumstance  led  him  to  contemplate  the  study 
of  law.  Meeting  with  Samuel  Owen,  Esq.,  who  was  at  that 
time  the  district  attorney,  and  a  prominent  lawyer,  he  was 
urged  bj'  him  to  enter  his  office  as  a  law  student,  and  gladly 


244  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

accepted  his  invitation.  In  his  younger  days  he  had  been  a 
member  of  a  village  debating  society,  and  was  distinguished  for 
his  ready  eloquence,  and  it  was  one  of  the  employments  of  his 
boyhood  to  attend  Justices'  Courts,  and  listen  to  the  lawyers, 
as  they  examined  the  witnesses  and  made  their  pleas.  He  was 
clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1873,  and  upon  completing 
his  term  as  a  law  student  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  Sep- 
tember, 1876.  In  November  of  the  same  year  he  was  elected  to 
the  office  of  district  attorney,  and  was  twice  re-elected,  and 
after  serving  seven  years,  during  which  time  he  enjoyed  an  ex- 
tensive law  practice,  resigned  the  office  to  enter  upon  the  duties 
of  county  judge,  to  which  position  he  was  elected  in  the  fall  of 
1883.  The  popularity  of  Judge  Wood  was  sufficiently  attested 
by  the  fact  that  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  in  every  town  in 
the  county. 

He  long  held  high  rank  among  the  masonic  fraternity,  being 
member  of  the  Lodge,  Chapter  and  Commandery. 

For  many  years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Cold  Spring,  and  in  all  the  relations  of  public  and 
private  life,  there  are  few  citizens  who  enjoy  a  higher  degree  of 
well  merited  respect  and  confidence. 

Judge  Wood  was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Ellen,  daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  Groundwater.  They  are  the  parents  of  three 
children;  Ellen  C,  Robert  T.,  and  Emily  R. 

As  a  political  speaker.  Judge  Wood  has  few  superiors,  and 
during  the  last  two  presidential  campaigns  he  was  engaged 
by  the  State  committee  to  deliver  addresses  in  various  portions 
of  the  State.  He  has  also  been  a  frequent  delegate  to  the  State 
and  Congressional  conventions,  and  as  a  life  long  member  of  the 
republican  party  his  weight  and  influence  are  fully  recognized 
in  its  councils. 

Seymour  Birdsall  Nelson,  son  of  Elisha  Nelson,  was  born 
in  Cold  Spring,  December  18th,  1843.  He  was  educated  at  the 
Classical  Institute,  Tarrytown,  and  the  Hudson  River  Institute 
at  Claverack.  He  graduated  at  the  Albany  Law  School  in  1866 
with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the 
same  year.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  in  the  office 
of  George  Gage  at  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  in  1867,  remaining 
there  about  a  year,  then  removed  to  New  York  city  where  he 
continued  to  practice  about  a  year.  For  a  few  years  thereafter 
he  was  not  engaged  in  practice.     In  1874  he  opened  an  office  at 


GENERAL   HISTOET.  245 

Cold  Spring,  at  which  place  he  still  continues  in  active  practice. 
January  11th,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Greorgianna  Carmichael,  of 
Cold  Spring.  They  have  five  children.  He  has  held  the  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace  since  1879. 

James  Gardiner  was  born  at  Cold  Spring,  Putnam  county, 
October  4th,  1842.  His  parents  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1838 
from  Ireland.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  of  Cold 
Spring,  studied  law  with  C.  H,  Ferris  of  same  place,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  May,  1877.  He  has  practiced  in  Cold 
Spring  since  that  time. 

Abeam  J.  Miller,  third  son  of  John  G.  and  Phebe  A.  Mil- 
ler, was  born  in  the  town  of  Somers,  in  the  adjoining  county  of 
Westchester,  on  the  18th  day  of  January,  1847.  His  parents 
moved  to  Carmel,  April  1st,  following,  and  he  has  remained  a 
resident  of  Putnam  county  since.  His  boyhood  was  passed  in 
the  village  of  Carmel,  where  he  enjoyed  the  ordinary  advan- 
tages of  a  country  school,  until  he  was  about  sixteen  years  of 
age,  when,  after  a  year  in  the  public  schools  of  New  York  city, 
he  entered  the  College  of  the  City  of  New  York,  at  that  time 
the  Free  Academy.  After  two  years  he  severed  his  connection 
with  that  institution  and  matriculated  at  Columbia  College  Law 
School,  where  he  graduated  May  19th,  1869,  with  the  degree  of 
LL.  B.  He  located  at  Brewster,  in  the  summer  of  that  year 
and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion. He  was  appointed  an  assistant  assessor  of  Internal  Rev- 
enue, in  1870,  and  when  that  office  was  abolished,  became  a 
deputy  collector,  which  position  he  held  until  August,  1883.  In 
the  autumn  of  1884,  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  the 
county,  which  office  he  holds  at  present. 

William  Henry  Haldane,  who  was  born  in  the  village  of 
Cold  Spring-ori-Hudson,  April  21st,  1851,  belongs  to  a  family 
prominent  in  Putnam  county  for  many  years.  Mr.  Haldane 
was  graduated  from  Columbia  College  in  1872  and  began  the 
study  of  the  law  under  direction  of  the  distinguished  advocate, 
Everett  P.  Wheeler,  Esq.,  in  New  York.  At  the  same  time  he 
attended  lectures  in  the  law  school  of  that  institution  from  which 
he  received  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  in  1874,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar.  Since  then  he  has  been  entirely  engaged  in  the  general 
practice  of  his  profession  in  New  York,  having  stated  times  for 
attendance  at  his  office  in  Cold  Spring. 


246  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Gepbge  Edward  Anderson,  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Austin) 
Anderson,  was  born  at  German  Flats,  on  the  Anderson  Home- 
stead in  the  town  of  Carmel,  June  24th,  1853.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  district  school  and  at  the  State  Normal  School, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  1873.  After  teaching  one  term,  he 
commenced  the  study  of  law  in  April,  1874,  with  Calvin  Frost, 
Esq.,  of  Peekskill,  N.  Y.  He  graduated  at  the  Albany  Law 
School  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  May,  1876.  In  October  of  the  same  year  he  located  at  Car- 
mel, N.  Y.,  where  he  has  continued  to  practice  his  profes- 
sion ever  since,  having  during  all  the  time  occupied  an  office 
with  Hon.  Ambrose  Ryder.  He  has  been  the  candidate  of  the 
democratic  party  for  the  offices  of  member  of  Assembly  and 
district  attorney,  and  was  clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
three  years.  He  was  mai-ried  September  6th,  1877,  to  Eliza, 
daughter  of  Jesse  Agor,  of  the  town  of  Carmel,  and  they  have 
one  son,  Jesse  Leslie  Anderson,  born  April  28th,  1880. 

Ward  B.  Yeomans,  son  of  Byron  A.  Yeomans,  was  born  in 
Philipstown,  April  24th,  1856.  He  was  educated  at  Madison 
University  and  the  State  Normal  School.  He  studied  law  with 
Hon.  William  Wood  at  Cold  Spring  and  graduated  at  the  Al- 
bany Law  School  in  May,  1880,  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  the  same  time.  In  June,  1880,  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  at  Cold  Spring  and  has  con- 
tinued in  practice  at  that  place  to  the  present  time.  He  was 
married  December  29th,  1882,  to  Miss  Mary  F.  Morro,  daughter 
of  Julius  Morro,  of  Brooklyn. 

Frederic  Stone  Barnum  was  born  in  Southeast,  Putnam 
county,  N.  Y.,  June  17th,  1858.  He  was  a  son  of  the  late  Le 
Ray  Barnum,  of  Southeast,  and  a  grandson  of  the  late  Judge 
Stone  of  Patterson.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  was  sent  to  a 
boarding  school  at  Redding,  Conn.,  and  went  from  there  to  the 
Chappaqua  Institute  in  Westchester  county,  N.  Y.  He  was 
prepared  for  college  at  Amenia  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  and  at  Mr. 
Selleck's  School,  Norwalk,  Conn.  In  1875,  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, he  entered  the  Freshman  class  of  Columbia  College,  and 
graduated  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1879.  He  was  one  of  the 
honor  men  of  that  year,  and  was  nominated  by  the  Faculty 
as:  "  One  of  the  three  most  faithful  and  deserving  students  of 
the  graduating  class." 

In  the  fall  of  1879  he  entered  the  Columbia  Law  School,  and 


'Y'Tx^  d-^^e'-t^  -t-      vP,      /^  (ou-c^cy 


Ce 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  247 

graduated  in  1881,  receiving  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  [Cum  Laude]. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  Poughkeepsie  May  21st,  1881, 
and  continued  his  studies  in  the  office  of  Close  &  Robertson,  at 
White  Plains,  N.  Y.,  until  March,  1882,  when  he  opened  a  law 
office  in  Brewster,  IST.  Y.  In  June,  1872,  he  received  the  degree 
of  M.  A.  from  Columbia  College.  January  4th,  1884,  he  was 
appointed  by  Governor  Cleveland,  district  attorney  of  Putnam 
county  and  held  the  office  one  year.  During  his  term  as  district 
attorney,  two  important  criminal  trials  were  successfully  con- 
ducted: one  being  the  case  of  "  The  People  vs.  Chester  W. 
Merrick,"  indicted  for  the  murder  of  Burns,  and  the  other  the 
case  of  "  The  People  vs.  James  H.  Riley,"  indicted  for  the  mur- 
der of  Hannah  Sunderlin.  Both  cases  excited  great  interest, 
and  the  defense  in  each  was  able  and  vigorous.  Merrick  was 
found  guilty  of  manslaughter  in  the  first  degree,  and  Riley  is 
now  serving  a  life  sentence  in  Sing  Sing. 

In  the  fall  of  1884  Mr.  Barnum  was  a  canidate  for  the  office 
of  district  attorney  on  the  democratic  ticket,  but  was  defeated 
by  Abram  J.  Miller.  In  September,  1885,  he  was  a  delegate  to 
the  Saratoga  convention  which  nominated  David  B.  Hill  for 
governor. 

Clattois"  Ryder,  son  of  Ambrose  and  Mary  M.  (Hillyer) 
Ryder,  was  born  in  Carmel,  February  8th,  1860.  He  graduated 
at  Cornell  University  in  1879;  attended  the  Columbia  Law 
School  during  the  year  1880-81;  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the 
following  December,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  at  Carmel  in 
January,  1882,  which  he  still  continues. 

The  following  are  at  the  present  time  living  in  Putnam 
county  and  practicing  in  New  York  city: 

Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  jr.  To  detail  within  the  limits  assigned 
us  in  this  volume  all  that  is  either  important  or  praiseworthy  in 
the  life  of  any  individual  is  impossible.  Mere  outlines  of  lives 
in  the  history  of  a  county  famous  for  its  prominent  men  must 
content  us.  They  of  themselves  will  form  a  larger  production 
than  was  originally  designed.  Especially  do  we  feel  the  depri- 
vation of  space  in  recording  the  life  of  Hamilton  Fish,  jr. 
His  steady  devotion  to  the  party  whose  principles  he  espoused 
entitles  him  to  credit.  His  remarkable  activity  in  the  service 
of  Putnam  county  is  worthy  of  praise. 

Mr.   Fish  was  born  at  the  State  capital,  April  17th,  1849, 


348  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

while  his  father  was  governor.  In  1857,  he  accompanied  the 
family  on  an  extended  European  tour  which  continued  some 
years.  This  was  of  great  advantage  to  the  young  man  in  his 
studies,  as  it  enabled  him  to  combine  experience  with  research. 
In  1869  he  graduated  from  Columbia  College.  His  father  had 
just  entered  the  cabinet  of  President  Grant  as  secretary  of 
State.  Mr.  Fish  became  his  private  secretary  and  remained  in 
his  service  till  1871,  when  he  entered  the  Law  School  of 
Columbia  College,  He  graduated  two  years  later  and  has  since 
practiced  his  profession  in  New  York  city. 

His  political  services  since  the  time  of  his  graduation  have 
been  almost  continuous.  From  1873  to  ■  1874  he  served  as  aide 
de  camp  on  the  staff  of  Gren.  Dix,  then  governor  of  New  York. 
During  1874-76-77-78  and  79  he  represented  Putnam  county  in 
the  Legislature.  Here  he  won  the  reputation  and  popularity 
as  a  political  leader  which  he  now  enjoys.  For  the  greater  por- 
tion of  his  term  at  Albany  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
cities.  Many  of  the  reform  measures  for  the  city  of  New  York 
were  intrusted  to  his  care  and  the  manner  in  which  he  treated 
them  is  highly  creditable. 

Mr.  Fish  has  been  for  many  years  chairman  of  the  Republi- 
can County  Committee  of  Putnam  county.  His  careful  man- 
agement of  its  affairs  led  to  his  appointment  in  1884  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  national  convention  at  Chicago.  At  the  beginning 
of  his  political  career  he  found  Putnam  a  strongly  democratic 
county.  The  change  which  has  taken  place  is  largely  due  to 
Mr.  Fish's  efforts.     The  county  is  now  republican. 

The  inheritor  of  a  time  honored  name,  his  education  and  as- 
sociations prompt  him  to  guard  it  jealously.  Depending  on 
the  advocacy  of  measures  effecting  permanent  benefit,  his  polit- 
ical fame  is  built  upon  a  lasting  foundation.  The  advantages 
enjoyed  by  Mr.  Fish  in  his  educational  facilities,  the  advice 
and  instruction  of  a  father  whose  name  is  familiar  wherever 
American  history  is  known,  his  constant  association  from  early 
childhood  with  the  greatest  men  of  the  times,  and  the  rich 
store  of  experience  gained  in  his  various  travels,  have  eminently 
fitted  him  for  the  positions  he  has  already  held,  as  well  as  for 
higher  ones  in  the  future. 

Mr.  Fish  married,  April  28th,  1880,  Emily  M.,  daughter  of 
the  late  Hon.  Francis  N.  Mann,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.  They  have  two 
daughters. 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  249 

Hon.  Robert  A.  Livingston.  One  of  the  most  promi- 
nent of  Putnam  county's  citizens  is  Robert  A.  Living- 
ston. Though  still  a  young  man,  his  ample  wealth,  high  social 
standing,  and  remarkable  ability  as  a  jurist  have  won  for  him 
a  popularity  and  a  position  in  the  county,  which  are  hardly 
equaled  by  any. 

Mr.  Livingston  is  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Livingston 
&  Olcott,  at  No.  4  Warren  street.  New  York  city,  which  is  well 
known  in  real  estate  circles,  and  in  the  civil  courts.  He  was 
born  in  New  York  city,  February  6th,  1854,  and  is  from  the 
family  whose  history,  as  manorial  proprietors  in  the  days  of  the 
Dutch  governors,  is  familiar  to  the  American  people  all  over  the 
world.  Among  the  many  members  of  the  family  whose  names 
have  been  handed  down  to  fame  are:  John  Livingston  (born  in 
1603),  the  common  ancestor  of  the  family,  and  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  the  fifth  Lord  Livingston,  ancestor  of  "  the  Earls  of  Lin- 
lithgo "  and  Callender,  in  Scotland,  who  was  an  energetic 
preacher  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  Scotland,  and  was  ban- 
ished in  1663,  for  nonconformity  to  prelatical  rule:  Philip,  who 
was  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence;  William,  who 
was  governor  of  New  Jersey;  Brockholst,  a  prominent  soldier 
and  jurist;  Robert  R.,  a  prominent  statesman  and  member  of 
the  First  Continental  Congress,  also  Chancellor  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  the  man  who  administered  the  oath  of  office  to 
George  Washington,  the  first  president  of  the  United  States; 
Edward,  a  brother  of  the  preceding,  mayor  of  New  York  city, 
United  States  district  attorney  for  the  State  of  New  York,  sec- 
retary of  State  for  the  United  States,  and  who  was  the  author 
of  the  Criminal  Code;  and  John  H.  Livingston,  D.D.,  the  well 
known  theologian. 

Mr.  Livingston  was  prepared  for  college  at  Grammar  school 
No.  35,  and  by  private  tutors.  After  graduating  from  Colum- 
bia, in  the  class  of  1876,  he  for  two  years  pursued  a  course  of 
study  in  the  law  school  of  that  institution.  On  graduating 
from  there  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  serv- 
ing for  a  time  a  clerkship  in  the  office  of  Knox  &  Mason. 
Much  of  his  knowledge  of  law  was  imparted  to  him  by  his 
uncle,  the  venerable  and  respected  jurist,  Charles  0' Conor. 
Acting  under  his  advice,  he  only  appeared  during  the  first  years 
of  his  practice  in  assigned  cases  in  the  higher  criminal  courts. 

Among  the  many  famous  criminal  cases  which  Mr.  Livingston 


250  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

has  been  called  upon  to  manage,  was  that  of  George  Melius, 
the  rear  brakeman  on  the  train  which  was  wrecked  in  the  Spuy- 
ten  Duyvil  disaster,  at  which,  it  will  be  remembered,  Senator 
Wagner  lost  his  life.  Melius  was  charged  with  manslaughter, 
and  though  advised  by  many  older  lawyers  that  the  case  was  a 
hopeless  one,  Mr.  Livingston  undertook  its  defense.  At  the 
trial  he  showed  that  the  rear  brakeman,  though  supposed  by 
one  set  of  rules  to  go  back  and  signal  a  following  train,  if  the 
train  came  to  a  stop,  was,  however,  first  compelled  to  make  a 
report  to  his  conductor.  Mr.  Livingston  claimed  that  it  was 
while  obeying  this  rule  that  the  accident  occurred,  and  by  so 
doing  procured  an  acquittal.  At  another  time  he  defended 
Alexander  Armstrong,  an  old  colored  servant  of  the  family  of 
Cambridge  Livingston.  Armstrong  was  on  trial  for  arson  in 
the  first  degree.  The  prosecution  proved  that  he  had  repeat- 
edly threatened  to  set  on  fire  a  tenement  house  in  which  he 
lived.  It  was  also  shown  by  a  colored  clergyman  and  his  wife 
that  Armstong  on  the  night  of  the  fire  threw  a  lamp  up  to  the 
ceiling,  and  thus  set  fire  to  his  room.  Mr.  Livingston  proved 
that  the  clergyman  had  served  a  term  of  years  in  Sing  Sing  for 
assault,  and  that  on  the  night  in  question  he  and  his  wife 
attacked  the  accused  and  that  in  the  sciiflie  the  lamp  was  upset. 
As  a  consequence,  Armstrong  was  acquitted. 

These  and  many  other  cases,  Mr.  Livingston  has  managed 
with  remarkable  success  and  he  now  stands  in  the  first  rank 
among  the  lawyers  of  the  day. 

Mr.  Livingston  has  also  paid  considerable  attention  to  poli- 
tics. He  is  a  republican  and  has  been  twice  elected  to  the 
Assembly  as  the  representative  of  Putnam  county,  he  being  a 
resident  of  Garrisons.  He  was  at  one  time  a  prominent  candi- 
date for  the  speakership  and  has  an  exceedingly  clear  record  in 
the  House.  He  is  looked  upon  as  an  honest,  fearless  and  able 
legislator. 

Mr.  Livingston  has  received  the  degrees  of  A.B.,  LL.B.  and 
M.A.,  and  is  a  member  of  the  New  York  Bar  Association.  He 
is  greatly  respected  throughout  the  county  in  which  he  lives, 
and  by  the  profession  of  which  he  is  such  an  able  representa- 
tive. 


(^^^t^e^ JHy^^ 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  MEDICAL  HISTORY  OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

BY  J.   Q.   ADAMS,  M.  D. 


Dr.  Robert  Weeks. — Ebenezer  Fletcher. — Daniel  Reed. — William  G.  Hopkins. — 
Aaron  Carman. — Noah  Hill  Crane. — Dr.  Howland. — Frederick  Fletcher. — 
Ebenezer  F.  Boyd. — Dr.  Barnum. — Asher  Gilbert. — Dr.  Adams. — Dr.  Board- 
man, — Edward  Crosby. — J.  Homer  Smith. — Frederick  D.  Lente. — Ira  H. 
Walker. — Edward  B.  Turner. — Joseph  H.  Bailey. — Daniel  Bull. — John  Ham- 
ilton.— Joseph  C.  Crane. — J.  Q.  Adams. — Addison  Ely. — Nathan  W.  Wheeler. 
— Jonathan  F.  Seeley. — Austin  La  Monte. — George  W.  Murdock. — Jared  G. 
Wood. — Lewis  H.  Miller. — Edson  Card,  jr. — James  Hadden. — Ernest  Hebr- 
smith. — Medical  Societies. 


IN  order  to  form  a  just  appreciation  of  the  subject,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  contrast  the  past  with  the  present;  the 
time  when  there  were  few  medical  colleges  in  this  country,  and 
now  when  they  abound  in  the  land;  when  medical  books  were 
scarce,  the  best  medical  library  being  worth  less  than  $100,  and 
now,  when  medical  libraries  count  their  thousands  of  volumes; 
when  it  took  a  week  to  go  from  New  York  to  Boston;  now  the 
journey  is  performed  in  a  few  hours;  when  there  were  in  this 
country  but  few  roads,  and  those  in  wretched  condition,  upon 
which  a  carriage  was  scarcely  seen,  travelling  being  upon  horse- 
back; now,  riding  at  ease  in  fine  carriages,  with  fine  horses, 
through  a  country  dotted  with  villages,  and  hamlets;  then 
when  there  were  but  few  hospitals  or  opj)ortunities  for  clinical 
study;  now,  when  such  facilities  create  unbounded  rivalries 
which  degenerate  into  systems  of  trade;  then  when  there  were 
but  few  medical  men  in  this  country,  and  those  riding  into  two 
or  three  towns,  encountering  great  trials  and  hardships;  now 
with  a  superfluity. 

Then  a  physician  received  a  preparation  that  would  now  be 
thought  insufficient  to  admi^t  one  to  practice,  for  his  medical 


252  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUKTY. 

education  was  such  as  he  could  pick  up  while  serving  an  ap- 
prenticeship to  some  noted  practitioner,  during  which  he  com- 
bined the  duties  of  a  student  with  many  of  the  menial  offices  of 
a  servant. 

No  practice  was  to  be  seen  but  by  the  laborious  mode  of  visit- 
ing the  sick  at  their  respective  abodes,  the  infancy  of  our 
country  not  admitting  of  the  establishment  of  hospitals,  while 
the  false  delicacy  of  the  people  allowed  no  advantages  from  dis- 
section. Says  McMasters:  "He  ground  the  powders,  mixed 
the  pills,  rode  with  the  doctor  on  his  rounds,  held  the  basin 
when  the  patient  was  bled,  helped  to  adjust  plasters,  to  sew 
wounds  and  run  with  vials  of  medicine  from  one  end  of  town  to 
the. other.  His  apprenticeship  ended,  the  half  educated  lad 
returned  to  his  native  town  to  assume  practice.  Sunshine  and 
rain,  daylight  and  darkness  were  alike  to  him.  He  would  ride 
ten  miles  on  the  darkest  night  over  the  worst  of  roads,  in  a 
pelting  storm,  to  administer  a  dose  of  calomel  to  an  old  woman, 
or  to  attend  a  child  in  a  fit." 

For  his  services  he  seldom  received  money.  He  was  glad  to 
get  corn,  oats,  potatoes,  a  few  hoop  poles,  a  Jag  of  wood  for  his 
fireplace  or  the  thanks  of  his  patrons.  He  was  present  at 
every  birth,  he  attended  every  burial,  he  sat  with  the  minister  at 
every  death-bed,  and  put  his  name  with  the  lawyer  to  every 
will. 

The  use  of  anaesthetics  was  then  unknown.  The  inhalation 
of  ether  or  chloroform  for  producing  insensibility  was  not 
known  till  1846.  Physiology  was  in  its  infancy,  and  pathology, 
as  a  science,  was  unknown. 

Not  one  of  the  many  remedies  which  destroy  disease,  which 
hold  in  check  the  most  loathsome  maladies,  and  the  most  violent 
epidemics,  was  in  use.  ' 

The  anticeptic  method  of  treating  open  wounds,  known  as 
Listerism,  was  first  practiced  by  Joseph  Lister  of  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,  in  1874. 

Vaccination  was  then  also  unknown.  It  was  not  until  about 
1763  that  Edward  Jenners'  attention  was  first  called  to  the  sub- 
ject of  prevention  of  small  pox,  his  experiments  extending  over 
a  period  of  thirty-three  years  before  his  discovery  was  recog- 
nized and  established,  which  was  in  1796. 

Dr.  Robert  Weeks  was  born  in  Tommyhawk  Street,  West- 
chester county,  in  1772.     He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Elias 


GENEEAL   HISTOKY.  253 

Cornelius  of  Westchester  county,  and  graduated  at  the  Medical 
Department  of  Columbia  College,  New  York  city,  in  1793. 
Soon  after  graduating  he  came  to  Carmel — probably  in  1794 — 
where  he  practiced  twenty-two  years,  when  he  died  in  1816  at 
the  age  of  44.  Dr.  Weeks  practiced  here  several  years  before 
this  was  Putnam  county,  and  was  very  largely  instrumental  in 
having  the  several  towns  of  Dutchess  set  off  as  Patnam  county. 
He  was  in  the  Legislature  at  the  time  the  act  was  passed. 

Dr.  Ebenezer  Fletcher  was  born  in  Pound  Ridge,  West- 
chester county,  in  the  year  1774.  He  commenced  the  practice 
of  medicine  and  surgery  in  Patterson  in  the  early  part  of  this" 
century.  He  was  a  short,  well  built,  red  faced  man,  active, 
energetic,  and  of  great  decision  of  character.  His  medical  and 
surgical  knowledge  was  above  the  average  of  his  contemporaries. 
He  performed  many  surgical  operations  successfully,  was  ever 
ready  to  go  at  the  call  of  the  sick,  whether  poor  or  rich,  in  win- 
ter or  summer,  cold  or  wet,  and  for  nearly  fifty  years  did  an  ex- 
tensive practice  in  the  towns  of  Patterson,  Kent  and  Southeast. 
He  died  in  Patterson  in  1852  at  the  age  of  78. 

Dk.  Daniel  Reed  located  in  Southeast  sometime  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  after  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  War.  He  was  a  large,  portly  man  with  counte- 
nance beaming  with  benevolence,  kindness  and  good  will. 

His  early  medical  education  might  have  been  limited  but  his 
large  experience  in  all  forms  of  disease  for  fifty  years  and  his 
frequent  consultations  with  his  medical  brethren  made  him  a 
wise  and  successful  practitioner,  while  his  self  confidence,  genial 
manner  and  decision  won  the  confidence  and  love  of  his  patients. 
He  always  rode  on  horseback  with  large  saddle-bags  well  filled, 
and  a  pipe  ever  in  his  mouth. 

In  serioiis  cases  he  was  in  no  haste  and  frequently  remained 
for  hours  and  sometimes  days,  and  Ms  presence  was  so  gracious 
and  inspiring  that  it  seemed  to  be  a  good  medicine  in  itself. 
His  ride  was  extensive  and  his  pay  small  and  often  nothing. 
It  was  said  that  Putnam  county  owed  hitn  $10,000  for  gratu- 
itous services. 

Dr.  William  G.Hopkins  was  born  June  29th,  1788,  on  the  farm 
on  the  hill  about  one  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Carmel,  then 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  father,  Thatcher  Hopkins.  He  lived 
on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  of  age,  when  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Di-.  Ebenezer  White  of  the  village  of 


254  HISTOET   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Somers,  Westchester  county,  and  continued  studying  with  Dr. 
White  until  he  attended  lectures  in  the  Medical  Department  of 
the  University  of  New  York  in  the  year  1810.  Among  the  pro- 
fessors were  J.  Augustin  Smith,  Valentine  Mott  and  John  Bard. 
He  received  his  license  to  practice  from  the  Medical  Society  of 
the  County  of  Westchester  in  the  year  1811,  Dr.  Munson  Smith 
being  president,  and  William  H.  Sackett  secretary  of  the  so- 
ciety. He  practiced  medicine  with  Dr.  Robert  Weeks  of  Car- 
mel  village  for  some  time. 

He  was  married  June  30th,  1813,  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 

'Hon.  Joel  Frost  of  the  town  of  Carmel.     In  1814  he  settled  on  a 

farm  about  four  miles  south  of  Carmel  on  the  road  leading  to 

the  village  of  Somers,  where  he  continued  in  the  practice  of 

medicine  for  twenty-nine  years. 

He  then  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  the  village  of  Carmel, 
where  he  lived  three  years.  Then  he  moved  to  the  village  of 
Peekskill  in  Westchester  county,  continuing  his  practice  until 
near  his  death  which  occurred  September  8th,  1870. 

De.  Aaron  Carman  was  born  February  25th.  1798,  in 
Philipstown,  then  Dutchess  county,  now  Putnam  Valley,  Put- 
nam county.  His  preliminary  education  was  obtained  in  Put- 
nam Valley.  He  studied  medicine  from  1817  to  1819,  with  his 
cousin.  Dr.  Samuel  Carman,  at  Pleasant  Valley,  east  of  Pough- 
keepsie,  Dutchess  county;  also  with  Dr.  James  Fountain  from 
1819  to  1821  in  Jefferson  Valley,  Westchester  county.  He  at- 
tended lectures  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
New  York  city,  in  1821  and  1822,  where  he  graduated  May 
25th,  1822. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Lancaster,  Pa., 
where  he  remained  only  nine  months,  when  he  moved  to  the 
Highlands,  Putnam  county,  where  he  practiced  two  years.  He 
then  located  at  Lake  Mahopac,  where  he  practiced  fifty-eight 
years. 

He  was  made  a  member  of  the  Westchester  County  Medical 
Society  April  16th,  1822.  He  became  a  member  of  the  old 
Medical  Society  of  the  County  of  Putnam  February  6th,  1828. 

He  was  married  to  Hannah  Lane,  daughter  of  Nathan  Lane, 
of  Putnam  Valley,  January  8th,  1823,  and  to  his  second  wife, 
Mary  H.  Biggs,  widow  of  Daniel  Biggs,  and  daughter  of 
Stephen  D.  Bailey,  December  4th,  1861.  He  died  at  Lake 
Mahopac  in  1882,  at  the  age  of  84.      Relatives  surviving  him 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  255 

are  his  wife,  Mary  H.  Carman,  and  his  daughter,  Mary  S.  Car- 
man. 

Dr.  Noah  Hill  Crane  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1787.  He  was 
the  son  of  Joseph  and  Chloe  Hill  Crane.  He  studied  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  Elias  Cornelius  in  Tommyhawk  street,  West 
Somers,  Westchester  county;  also  with  Dr.  John  Cornelius 
of  New  York  city,  and  graduated  at  the  College  of  Physi- 
cians and  Surgeons  in  New  York  city.  He  practiced  for  a 
time  there,  and  finally  came  to  Carmel,  where  he  practiced 
until  about  the  time  of  his  death. 

Soon  after  coming  to  Carmel,  he  married  Susan  Warring. 
Dr.  Crane  was  held  in  high  esteem  for  his  knowledge  of  medi- 
cine, his  skill  in  detecting  disease,  and  his  success  in  the  treat- 
ment of  different  cases. 

He  lived  on  the  Warring  homestead,  now  the  Smalley  House, 
until  a  short  time  before  his  death,  when  he  went  to  the  old 
homestead  two  miles  south  of  Carmel  village,  where  he  died  in 
1836  at  the  age  of  49  years. 

Dr.  Howland  was  born  of  Quaker  parentage  in  Pawling, 
Dutchess  county,  in  the  year  1786.  He  practiced  medicine  in 
Patterson  for  several  years,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  57 
years. 

Dr.  Frederick  Fletcher,  son  of  Dr.  Ebenezer  Fletcher, 
practiced  medicine  in  Patterson  several  years  between  1838  and 
1850,  then  went  West  and  died  at  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Dr.  Ebenezer  F.  Boyd  was  born  in  Fishkill,  Dutchess 
county,  July  6th,  1812.  He  attended  the  school  of  the  Rev.  E. 
P.  Benedict  in  Patterson,  after  which  he  read  medicine  with  his 
father,  William  D.  Boyd,  M.  D.,  at  the  homestead  in  Fishkill. 
He  attended  lectures  at  the  University  Medical  College  and 
X graduated  in  1834. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  the  village  of  Cold 
Spring  immediately  after  graduating  and  there  remained  until 
his  death  which  occurred  December  21st,  1839,  at  the  age  of  27 
years. 

Soon  after  making  his  home  in  Cold  Spring  he  married  Caro- 
line Colwell  of  Fishkill,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  a  son,  who 
is  now  living  in  Oswego  in  this  State.  Dr.  Boyd  was  doubtless 
a  member  of  the  old  County  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Edward  Crosby  writes:  "The  physicians  of  Carmel  in 
their  order  as  I  remember  them: 


266  HISTOIiY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  Dr.  Baknum  lived  where  Benjamin  D.Crane's  house  now 
stands;  his  office  was  the  brick  part  attached  to  that  house. 

"Dr.  AsHEE  Gilbert,  student  of  Dr.  Nehemiah  Perry,  of 
Ridgefield,  Conn.,  lived  where  the  late  Mr.  Jas.  D.  Little's 
house  now  stands. 

"  He  was  a  very  creditable  practitioner  and  could  have  com- 
manded a  good  practice  in  his  profession,  but,  alas!  he  was  a 
victim  of  intemperance. 

"  He  died  at  his  brother's,  Dr.  Wheeler  Gilbert,  inBeekman, 
Dutchess  county,  about  1838. 

"Dr.  Adams  lived  at  the  old  Warring  place  now  Smalley 
House.     He  was  there  only  two  or  three  years,  and  died  there. 

"Dr.  Boaedman  came  to  Carmel  about  1835.  lived,  I  think,  in 
the  Charles  Minor  house,  was  there  some  four  or  five  years  and 
I  think  went  back  to  New  Milford,  Conn.,  where  he  came  from." 

Dr.  Edwakd  Ckosby  writes:  "Now  when  I  come  to  write 
of  my  own  career  in  Carmel  I  cannot  think  of  very  much  to 
say.  All  my  early  life  associations,  social  and  religious,  are 
centered  about  Carmel,  of  the  old  Gilead  church  and  society  mor© 
especially,  the  recollections  are  truly  pleasant. 

' '  Nor  can  I  say  any  less  of  my  professional  relations  with  my 
brethren  of  the  medical  staff.  If  there  ever  has  been  any  chaf- 
ing between  brethren,  they  had  the  wisdom  to  not  allow  even 
the  smoke  to  be  seen  in  the  air.  I  commenced  my  medical  life 
by  reading  medicine  with  my  uncle,  the  late  Noah  H.  Crane,  in 
1835. 

"After  his  death  I  read  with  Dr.  Howland  of  Patterson,  and 
also,  while  teaching,  with  Dr.  Lewis  H.  White  of  Fishkill. 

"In  1837  and  1838  I  attended  a  partial  course  of  lectures  in 
New  Haven:  Anatomy,  by  Prof.  Night,  Chemistry  by  Prof.  B. 
Silliman,  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics  by  Prof.  TuUy,  and 
Practice  of  Medicine  by  Prof.  Ives. 

"  I  also  attended  two  full  courses  at  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, Philadelphia,  and  graduated  March  6th,  1840.  With 
gratitude  and  thanksgiving  for  my  successes  and  with  sorrow 
for  my  failures,  I  have  attended  on  the  calls  for  my  professional 
services  these  46  years." 

Dk.  Homer  Smith  was  born  on  the' 9th  of  July,  1811,  in 
Washington,  Conn.  He  was  a  son  of  Amos  Smith  and  a  de- 
scendant of  John  Smith,  who  came  from  England  in  November, 
1648.     Dr.  Smith,  after  obtaining  an  academical  education  at 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  257 

Litchfield  Academy,  Conn.,  and  other  institutions,  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Cooper  of  Poughlveepsie,  and 
after  pursuing  the  usual  course  of  study  was  licensed  to  prac- 
tice medicine  and  surgery  by  the  Dutchess  County  Medical 
Society. 

He  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Southeast  in  De- 
cember, 1840,  and  was  assiduously  devoted  to  the  duties  of  his 
profession  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  from  typho  malarial 
fever,  December  27th,  1884,  at  the  age  of  73  years.  Dr.  Smith 
was  married  to  Miss  H.  0.  Knapp  in  1869,  who  with  two  chil- 
dren survives  him. 

Frederick  D.  Lente,  A.  M.,  M.  D.'  '-So  rapidly  fly  the 
hours  that  it  is  well  to  pause  occasionally  amid  our  haste  and 
labors  to  note  the  changes  that  they  bring. 

"  This  very  evening  a  paper  was  to  have  been  presented  before 
this  Academy  by  our  esteemed  associate.  Dr.  Frederick  D. 
Lente. 

"  It  is  my  painful  duty  to  announce  that  the  appointment 
will  not  be  kept.  Again  the  remorseless  scythe  has  been  at 
work,  and  under  the  shadows  of  the  Highlands,  amid  the  scenes 
of  busy  and  eventful  years,  our  honored  friend  is  sleeping  the 
immortal  sleep. 

"  In  many  respects  Dr.  Lente' s  professional  career  was  anoma- 
lous, as  his  character  was  remarkable. 

"  What  our  specific  duty  is,  in  the  equation  of  life,  must, 
from  the  very  nature  of  things,  ever  remain  a  varjnng  quantity. 
Our  estimate  of  our  personal  duty,  however,  depends  largely, 
if  not  chiefly,  upon  our  personal  capabilities  of  estimating  the 
specific  work  required  of  us.  Working  simply  for  the  work's 
sake — to  kill  time — however  laudable  the  work  may  be,  is  not 
our  idea  of  the  highest  devotion  to  duty.  Our  highest  idea  of 
duty  is  the  highest  conception  of  duty  of  which  one's  mind  is 
capable. 

"He  who  has  always  lived  in  the  valleys  and  has  never  trod 
the  mountain  tops  can  have  but  a  meagre  appreciation  of  un- 
folding panoramas  of  sleeping  lakes  and  nestling  villages,  and 
the  broadening  far- off  prospect  beyond  the  hills.  As  he  ascends, 
though,  from  one  altitude  to  another,  and  his  vision  fakes  in 
a  wider  survey,  his  conceptions  of  '  the  far  off,  unattained,  and 

'  A  Memorial  read  before  tlie  New  York  Academy  of  Medicine,  November  1st, 
1883,  by  T.  Herring  Burohard,  A.  M.,  M.  D. 

17 


258  HISTORY   01'   PUTNAM   COUNTT. 

dim '  become  changed,  and  vague  surmises  now  give  place  to 
actual  knowledge.  But,  as  we  ascend  the  horizon  recedes; 
'  Hills  peep  o'er  hills,. and  Alps  o'er  Alps  arise,'  and  so  to  those 
choice  minds  of  highest  attainment  are  given  broader  vistas  and 
wider  fields  for  the  employment  of  noble  and  generous  deeds. 
And  ever,  as  these  adventurous  climbers  ascend,  their  eyes  are 
gladdened  and  their  hearts  are  cheered  with  loftier  aspirations. 
Humanity  rolls  like  a  mighty  ocean,  at  their  feet,  and,  though 
cold  its  waters  and  unfathomable  its  mysteries,  they  press 
higher  and  higher  to  fire  the  beacon  lights. 

"Dr.  Lente,  modest,  unpretentious,  gentle  as  he  was,  stood 
on  the  very  mountain  top,  and  from  his  exalted  observation 
took  in  a  broad  conception  of  life,  with  all  its  incidental  duties 
and  obligations.  Extreme  conscientiousness  might  well  be  predi- 
cated of  him  as  his  predominant  characteristic.  Never  have  T 
met  the  man  whose  regard  for  truth  was  so  immutable.  The 
keenest  justice,  even  in  most  trivial  matters,  governed  in  all  his 
dealings.  Honor  was  dearer  to  him  than  life.  His  professional 
obligations  to  his  patients,  his  sense,  of  professional  responsi- 
bility he  regarded  as  but  second  to  his  accountability  to  God. 
Sensitive  of  the  rights  of  others  as  he  was  of  his  own  integrity, 
neither  intimidation  nor  reward  could  swerve  him  from  his  own 
high  sense  of  right. 

"Slander  and  vituperation,  ever  venomous,  ever  foul,  sink 
infinitely  beneath  contempt  when  incited  by  professional  jeal- 
ousy, bigotry,  and  pique.  The  vicious  intolerance  breathed 
against  Dr.  Lente  at  Saratoga,  while  it  failed  to  seriously  annoy 
him,  did  awaken  his  profound  mortification  that  in  his  profes- 
sion such  narrow-mindedness  and  illiberality  could  be  found. 

"Life  with  Dr.  Lente  meant  work;  to  him  it  was  full  of 
achievable  possibilities.  Indefatigable  as  a  student,  retiring 
late  and  rising  early,  he  turned  to  profit  the  midnight  hours. 
Mere  physical  fatigue  was  no  excuse  with  him  for  mental  inac- 
tivity. So,  when  his  tired  limbs  refused  to  carry  him,  often 
have  I  found  him,  late  at  night  or  in  the  early  morning,  bol- 
stered in  his  bed,  surrounded  with  his  books  and  periodicals. 

"All  that  he  did  was  done  with  rare  thoroughness.  Dis- 
daining ostentatious  display,  and  depreciating  superficially, 
the  purpose  of  his  studies  was  to  make  himself  the  master  of 
his  subject.  Access  to  his  thoughts  meant  more  than  mere  in- 
tellectual acquaintance.     His  mind  was  a  living   Thesaurus  of 


^^...i/^ST^^^a^^ 


// 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  259' 

information,  facts,  and  theories,  gathered  with  great  discrimina- 
tion from  the  widest  domains  of  science  and  the  arts.  And 
yet,  studeat  as  he  was,  his  studies  never  led  him  into  devious 
and  idle  speculation.  He  was  extremely  practical  in  all  he  did. 
Physicallj'  delicate,  but  with  powers  of  endurance  that  were 
phenomenal,  with  an  energy  that  was  untiring,  and  a  devotion 
to  duty  that  was  sublime,  he  brought  to  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession a  mind  of  richest  and  most  varied  acquisitions,  an  ex- 
perience that  was  remarkable  for  its  variety  and  scope,  and 
a  heart  ever  mellowed  with  kindliness  and  good  cheer.  As  a 
diagnostician  he  was  painstaking,  thorough,  and  exact.  Hap- 
hazard diagnosis  he  deplored,  and  no  opportunity  for  brilliant 
display  ever  tempted  him  into  the  hasty  expression  of  an  im- 
mature opinion.  As  a  therapeutist,  his  intimate  acquaintance 
with  drugs  and  his  extensive  studies  in  physiological  medica- 
tion made  him,  at  once,  skillful  and  distinguished.  As  a  prac- 
titioner, his  fertility  of  expedients  is  illustrated  in  numerous 
inventions,  formulee,  and  instruments  in  general  professional 
use.  In  the  widest  sense  of  the  word  he  was  the  good  physi- 
cian— skillful,  devoted,  self-sacrificing.  Indifferent  to  his  own 
infirmities,  and  oblivious  of  his  personal  comfort,  he  brought 
to  his  patient's  relief  a  strong  brain,  a  ripe  experience,  a  tender 
heart.  As  a' scholar,  he  was  an  active  or  honorary  member  of 
most  of  the  leading  societies.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  and 
an  early  president  of  the  American  Academy  of  Medicine,  and 
a  frequent  contributor  to  current  popular  or  professional  journ- 
alism. Whatever  came  from  his  pen  commanded  attention. 
His  most  important  contributions  were  his  papers  on  'The 
Treatment  of  Intermittent  Fever  by  the  Hypodermic  Injection 
of  Quinine,'  '  The  Sedative  Action  of  Calomel  in  Disease,'  'Intra- 
uterine Medication.'  etc. 

"Dr.  Lente  was  born  in  Newbern,  N.  C,  in  1823.  He  gradu- 
ated from  the  University  of  North  Carolina  in  1845.  He  studied 
medicine  in  the  office  of  our  distinguished  confrere.  Professor 
Alfred  C.  Post,  and  graduated  from  the  Medical  Department  of 
the  New  York  University  in  1849.  During  the  following  two 
years  he  served  as  house  sui'geon  under  Valentine  Mott  in 
the  New  York  Hospital.  In  1851,  having  been  appointed  sur- 
geon to  the  West  Point  Foundry,  the  doctor  removed  to  Cold 
Spring,  where,  in  1853,  he  married  Mary,  the  accomplished 
daughter  of  William  Kemble,  Esq. 


260  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  Mrs.  Lente,  one  son  and  three  daughters  survive  him. 

"Dr.  Lente' s  professional  career  at  Cold  Spring  was  one  of 
remarkable  success.  His  reputation  as  consultant  and  surgeon 
reached  literally  from  New^  York  to  Albany.  So  highly  prized 
were  the  practical  advantages  of  Dr.  Lente' s  office  that  a  popu- 
lar question  among  New  York  and  Bellevue  Hospital  men 
once  was:  'After  leaving  the  hospital,  is  it  Cold  Spring  or 
Europe.'  ^ 

"  In  1870  the  doctor  received  and  accepted  the  appointment 
as  professor  of  gynaecology  in  the  Medical  Department  of  the 
New  York  University  and  assistant  surgeon  to  the  Women's 
Hospital.  After  a  year's  arduous  service  in  the  city,  inter- 
rupted by  numerous  professional  calls  up  the  Hudson,  he  re- 
tiarned  to  his  former  home,  where  he  continued  in  active  prac- 
tice until  failing  health  compelled  him  to  seek  a  more  genial 
climate. 

"  Relinquishing  a  lucrative  practice,  he  betook  himself  to 
Palatka,  Fla.,  for  the  winter,  and  to  Saratoga  for  the  summer 
months. 

"  It  was  at  the  latter  place,  and  after  a  season  of  unusual 
activity  and  fatigue,  that  he  was  taken  ill  with  cerebro- spinal 
meningitis.  Fortunately  he  was  able  to  return  to  his  family  at 
Cold  Spring,  where,  on  the  11th -of  October,  in  the  sixtieth 
year  of  his  age,  he  peacefully  breathed  his  last. 

"And  thus  ends  the  record  of  a  noble  man.  He  dignified  his 
manhood  by  his  consistent  Christian  life,  and  to  his  profession 
he  added  luster  and  renown." 

Dn.  Ika  Henophan  Walker  was  born  in  Roxbury,  Conn., 
in  1810.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Seth  Shove  of  Bedford, 
Westchester  county,  N.  Y.,  commencing  about  1830  or  1831. 

March  6th,  1835,  he  was  licensed  to  practice  medicine  by  the 
Connecticut  Medical  Society,  and  March  1st,  1836,  he  graduated 
from  Yale  College.  In  February,  1836,  he  came  to  Carmel,  and 
began  practice.  In  August,  1837,  he  was  commissioned  surgeon's 
mate  of  the  61st  Regiment  of  Infantry  of  the  State  Militia,  by  Hon. 
William  L.  Marcy,  governor  and  commander-in-chief  of  all  the 
militia  at  our  city  of  Albany,  the  10th  of  August,  1837.  Dr. 
Walker  in  his  profession  stood  above  the  average  of  his  con- 
temporaries, and  was  highly  esteemed  in  social  circles.  During 
his  brief  medical  life  he  was  an  honor  to  the  profession,  and 
the  community  in  which  he  lived. 


GENERAL  HISTOEY.  261 

He  died  in  Carmel,  N.  Y.,  of  typhoid  fever,  in  1839,  at  the 
age  of  29  years.  His  only  surviving  relative  so  far  as  known  is 
Emily  Walker  Sloat,  only  child  of  Dr.  Walker,  and  wife  of 
William  H.  H.  Sloat  of  Carmel  village.  Mrs.  Sloat  has  three 
children,  one  son  and  two  daughters. 

Dk.  Edward  B.  Turner  was  born  in  Roxbury,  Delaware 
county,  I^.  Y.,  May  5th,  1851,  where  he  received  his  preliminary 
education. 

After  reading  medicine  for  a  time  in  the  office  of  two  or 
three  practicing  physicians,  he  attended  his  first  course  of 
lectures  at  Harvard  Medical  College  in  1872  and  1873. 

He  graduated  at  Bellevue  Medical  College  in  1874.  Soon 
after  graduating  he  settled  in  Montrose,  Westchester  county, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  in  practice  two  years,  when  on  ac- 
count of  threatened  failure  of  his  health,  he  removed  to  Lake 
Mahopac  in  May,  1876.  He  remained  there  with  varying 
changes  of  health  until  his  death  which  occurred  Angust  2d, 
1885,  at  the  age  of  34  years. 

Of  his  success  as  a  practitioner,  and  his  judgment  as  a  physi- 
cian it  may  be  said  that  he  was  above  the  average.  In  medical 
practice  he  was  seldom  found  in  the  wrong  and  in  surgery 
he  possessed  unusual  tact  and  ability. 

Dr.  Joseph  Hayward  Bailey  was  born  in  Fredericktown, 
Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  October  20th,  1803.  He  studied  medi- 
cine with  his  father,  Dr.  Rowland  Bailey,  and  graduated  at 
Rutger  Medical  College,  New  York  city,  in  1827.  From  1827 
to  1830  he  practiced  medicine  in  Kent  with  his  father.  He  then 
went  to  New  York  city  where  he  practiced  with  his  brother 
Benjamin  Bailey  until  1834,  when  he  was  appointed  assistant 
surgeon  U.  S.  Army.  He  retired  from  active  service  in  1862. 
He  died  at  Kent  Cliffs  in  1882  at  the  age  of  79  years. 

Dr.  Daniel  Bull  was  a  practicing  physician  in  the  South 
Precinct  of  Dutchess  county  as  early  as  1772.  During  the 
Revolution  he  was  a  tory  and  was  one  of  the  meti  who  were 
arrested,  and  whose  papers  were  signed  by  Col.  Ludington  by 
order  of  the  Provincial  Congress.  He  had  a  daughter,  Cornelia, 
who  married  Joseph  C.  Field,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature in  1803. 

Dr.  John  Hamilton  was  a  physician  and  was  living  on  south 
side  of  Lake  Mahopac  at  "  Hoquets  Point"  in  1780.  No 
further  mention  is  made  of  him. 


262  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Dr.  Joseph  Crane.     See  history  of  Crane  family. 

Dr.  J.  Q.  Adams'  was  born  in  Rushford,  Alleghany  connty, 
N.  Y.,  December  31st,  1827.  When  six  months  old  he  went 
with  his  parents,  John  and  Huldah  Adams,  to  the  old  home- 
stead in  Cavendish,  Windsor  county,  Vt.,  where  his  grand- 
father, Timothy  Adams,  was  then  living.  This  family  is  de- 
scended from  Henry  Adams  who  came  from  England  in  1640 
with  seven  sons,  and  from  them  are  descended  the  illustrious 
family  of  that  name  whose  names  and  deeds  are  no  small  part 
of  our  nation's  history. 

The  early  education  of  Dr.  Adams  was  obtained  at  Black 
River  Academy,  Ludlow,  Vt.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1848  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  Lowell  of  Chester, 
Vt.  Here,  to  use  his  own  expression,  he  remained  until  October, 
spoiling  the  doctor's  spatulas  by  heating  them  in  the  stove  to 
spread  plasters  with,  breaking  his  graduated  measures,  and 
wasting  his  medicines  by  blunders  in  making  pills.  He  then 
went  to  the  Vermont  Medical  College  at  Woodstock,  and  re- 
mained one  year.  In  the  summer  of  1849  he  attended  a  course 
of  lectures  at  Berkshire  I/Tedical  College,  Pittstield,  Mass.,  and 
in  the  autumn  went  to  New  York  and  matriculated  in  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  and  attended  lectures 
and  hospital  practice  two  years.  In  1852  Dr.  Adams  went  as 
surgeon  on  the  ship  "  Henry  Clay  "  to  England,  and  while  the 
vessel  remained  in  j)ort  he  embraced  the  opportunity  to  increase 
his  knowledge  of  the  profession  by  attending  lectures  and  hos- 
pital practice. 

Upon  returning  to  New  York  he  practiced  for  a  few  months 
and  through  an  accidental  acquaintance  he  was  induced  to  come 
to  Carmel  in  the  early  part  of  1853,  and  decided  to  make  that 
place  his  permanent  residence. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  found  Dr.  Adams  prompt 
to  aid  in  the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  in  Aagust,  1862,  he  was 
appointed  surgeon  of  the  172d  Regiment  N.  Y.  Volunteers,  then 
organizing  at  Yonkers. 

This  regiment,  however,  failed  to  complete  the  number  of 
men,  and  was  consolidated  with  another  which  was  already 
supplied  with  a  surgeon,  and  the  doctor  was  relieved  in  con- 
sequence. 

He  then  went  to  visit  friends  at  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore, 

■By  Wm.  S.  Pelletreau. 


A./4). 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  263 

and  from  that  place  went  to  the  army  then  between  Falmouth 
and  Bell  Plain,  Va.  In  January,  1863,  he  returned  to  Wash- 
ington, and  applied  to  the  War  Department  for  a  position  in  the 
U.  S.  Volunteer  Corps  of  snrgeons.  His  application  was  suc- 
cessful, and  he  was  appointed  to  duty  in  Finley  Hospital  in 
Washington.  In  due  time  he  was  commissioned  assistant  sur- 
geon with  the  rank  of  1st  Lieut,  from  the  27th  day  of  February, 
1863.  The  commission  was  signed  by  Abraham  Lincoln  and  the 
doctor  justly  considers  it  as  one  of  his  choicest  treasures  from 
the  labor  it  cost  to  obtain  it  and  to  execute  its  duties,  and  for 
the  signature  of  the  illustrious  man  attached  to  it. 

In  April,  1863,  he  was  ordered  to  report  for  duty  to  Brig. 
Gen.  Carleton,  commanding  the  Department  of  New  Mexico  at 
Santa  Fe.  Accordingly  he  travelled  by  rail  to  Kansas  City,  and 
then  embarked  on  an  old  fashioned  thorough  brace  stage 
drawn  by  four  horses,  and  with  nine  passengers  as  companions, 
started  on  a  long  and  dangerous  journey  of  1,300  miles.  At  11 
o'clock  at  night  they  were  startled  by  a  summons  to  halt,  and 
found  themselves  surrounded  by  a  band  of  Quantrell's  Gruerillas. 
The  passengers  were  quietly  ordered  to  alight,  and  were  soon 
dispossessed  of  their  many  valuables,  excepting  one  woman 
whom  the  brigands  chivalrously  allowed  to  depart  with  all  her 
property,  unharmed,  while  the  male  passengers  were  held 
prisoners  in  a  dry  goods  store  of  which  the  guerillas  had  taken 
possession.  The  doctor's  profession  was  no  protection  to  him, 
and  his  trunk  was  quickly  pillaged,  and  all  the  contents  scat- 
tered, and  divided  among  the  "Jay  Hawks,"  as  this  class  of 
robbers  were  then  called.  After  being  left  in  durance  vile  for 
two  hours  they  were  released  by  the  departure  of  the  guerillas, 
who  took  with  them  the  stage  horses,  and  the  driver  was  com- 
pelled  to  borrow  more,  and  on  resuming  their  journey  they 
found  at  the  next  station  a  Union  soldier  who  had  been  shot  by 
the  gang  and  was  dying.  At  another  place  they  found  a  house 
where  the  inmates  had  been  compelled  to  provide  food  for  the 
robbers  and  were  then  robbed  of  what  little  they  possessed. 

After  a  succession  of  such  adventures  he  at  length  reached 
Santa  Fe,  and  reporting  to  the  general  he  was  assigned  to  duty 
at  the  military  post  of  Los  Cruces,  and  proceeded  thither  by 
stage  a  distance  of  300  miles,  and  arrived  on  the  1st  of  June, 
finding  the  hospital  a  large  and  commodious  building,  and  the 


264  HISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

place  one  of  comparative  comfort  after  his  hardships  and  trials, 
although  the  mercury  rose  to  110  degrees  every  afternoon. 

At  this  place  he  remained  five  months,  and  on  the  1st  of 
November  vs^as  ordered  to  report  to  Capt.  Whitlock,  command- 
ing at  Quince  River,  seventy-five  miles  from  Los  Cruces,  and  on 
the  divide  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Here  he  found  many 
things  of  interest  while  investigating  the  ruins  that  remained 
of  the  vanished  race  of  the  Aztecs. 

In  September  1864,  he  was  ordered  to  accompany  an  expedition 
with  200  men  under  Col.  Davis  through  the  southern  borders  of 
Arizona,  and  the  northern  part  of  Mexico.  On  this  expedition 
they  spent  two  months,  and  upon  their  return  he  was  ordered 
to  Fort  Stanton,  where  he  remained  until  July,  1865.  It  was 
here  that  he  heard  of  the  death  of  President  Lincoln,  one  month 
after  its  occurrence.  In  July,  1865,  he  was  ordered  to  Fort 
Bliss,  Texas,  and  reported  in  August.  While  here  he  received 
the  commission  of  brevet  surgeon  with  rank  of  major,  dated 
March  13th,  1865.  December  9th,  1865,  the  war  being  ended,  he 
was  discharged  from  the  service.  Returning  to  Los  Cruces  he 
engaged  in  i)rivate  practice  until  the  last  of  March,  1866,  and 
then  set  out  on  horseback  with  a  merchant  train  for  the  States, 
and  after  a  difficult  and  perilous  journey  reached  Kansas  City 
and  in  June  came  to  Washington,  D.  C. 

In  November,  1866,  Dr.  Adams  returned  to  Carmel  and  re- 
sumed his  practice  which  he  has  since  continued. 

He  married  Miss  Sarah  L.  Spaulding  of  Proctorsville,  Vt., 
August  15th,  1853;  she  died  in  December,  1867. 

In  February,  1870,  he  was  married  a  second  time  to  Miss 
Helen  Y.  Smith  of  Chester,  Vt.  Their  children  were:  John 
Quincy  Adams,  born  March  26th,  1878,  and  Florence,  born  No- 
vember 28th,  1880.     The  latter  died  July  7th,  1881. 

Dr.  Adams  is  a  jarominent  member  of  the  Putnam  County 
Medical  Society  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Medical  Society  of 
the  State  of  New  York.  In  his  practice  in  this  county  he  is 
popular  and  enjoys  a  large  share  of  the  public  confidence  and 
esteem. 

He  is  surgeon  of  Crosby  Post,  No.  302,  G.  A.  R. ;  a  Master 
Mason,  and  now  holds  the  office  of  junior  warden  in  the  lodge; 
a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  holds  the  office  of  scribe  in  the" 
chapter;  a  Knight  Templar,  and  a  thirty-two  degree  Mason, 
being  a  member  of  four  bodies  of  Ancient  Scottish  Rite  Masonry, 


:>  tq     a  3    HaU'.i  Scr.i,  N  T 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  265 

meeting  in  the  Masonic  Temple  of  New  York  State,  in  New- 
York  city. 

Dr.  Addison  Ely,  of  Carmel,  N.  Y.,  was  born  at  Westfield, 
Mass.,  in  1814,  and  was  a  son  of  Elihu  Ely  and  grandson  of 
Captain  Levi  Ely  of  West  Springfield,  Mass.,  who  was  killed  at 
the  battle  of  Mohawk  in  October,  1780,  in  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

Dr.  Ely,  after  obtaining  an  academical  education  at  Green- 
ville, N.  Y.,  and  Williamstown,  Mass.,  and  pursuing  the  usual 
course  of  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Abbott  of  Westfield, 
Mass.,  Dr.  Baily  of  Kingston,  JST.'j.,  and  Dr.  J.  S.  Fountain,  of 
Yorktown,  N.  Y.,  and  attending  a  course  of  lectures  at  the 
Berkshire  Medical  College,  Mass.,  was  licensed  to  practice 
medicine  and  surgery  by  the  Massachusetts  State  Medical 
Society. 

He  afterward  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  College  of 
Physicians  and  Surgeons,  N.  Y.,  at  the  N.  Y.  Hospital,  etc. 

After  practicing  for  three  years  in  New  York  city  he  located 
in  Carmel  in  1838,  where  by  his  devotion  to  his  profession  and 
his  success  as  a  general  practitioner — particularly  in  diseases  of 
the  chest  and  diseases  of  children — he  secured  an  extensive 
practice  which  he  was  able  to  retain  until  age  and  impaired 
health  prevented  his  attending  to  it.  Dr.  Elj''  was  for  fifteen 
years  examining  surgeon  for  the  U.  S.  Pension  Department,  and 
for  many  years  physician  to  the  County  Almshouse,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  censors  of  the  County  Medical  Society.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1834  to  Hannah,  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Rachel 
(Osborn)  Wright,  of  Somerstown,  Westchester  county,  N.  Y., 
with  whom  he  is  still  living  in  Carmel. 

Dr.  Nathan  W.  Weeler,  who  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best 
known  physicians  of  Patnam  county,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Easton,  Fairfield  county.  Conn.,  December  22d,  1815.  His  pa- 
rents, Nathan  and  Clorine  Wheeler,  were  of  Scotch  descent, 
the  family  having  come  to  this  country  about  1760. 

Dr.  Wheeler  was  educated  at  Easton  Academy,  where  he  was 
a  student  under  the  well  known  Rev.  S."  Irenaeus  Prime,  D.  D. 

His  medical  studies  were  begun  under  the  direction  of  his 
uncle.  Dr.  William  Wheeler,  who  practiced  at  Merrick,  Long 
Island,  and  he  graduated  from  the  Berkshire  Medical  College 
in  1887. 

He  commenced  practice  at  Newton,  Conn.,  where  he  remained 


266  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

three  years,  and  then  removed  to  Southeast,  Putnam  county, 
where  he  practiced  two  years. 

Dr.  Wheeler  came  to  Patterson  in  December,  1842,  and  has 
ever  since  continued  in  that  place  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. 

For  many  years  he  resided  on  the  farm  belonging  to  his 
father-in-law,  and  afterward  purchased  it.  It  is  now  the  prop- 
erty of  Kent  Henion,  Esq.  The  present  residence  of  Dr. 
Wheeler  is  in  the  village  of  Patterson.     It  was  built  in  1860. 

Dr.  Wheeler  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Dr.  David  Howland, 
a  prominent  physician  of  the  last  generation.  Their  children 
are  Carrie,  wife  of  Edward  Doane,  Esq.,  and  Isabel,  wife  of 
James  Cornwall,  Esq.,  of  Patterson.     The  former  died  in  1881. 

Dr.  Wheeler  is  a  member  and  supporter  of  the  Episcopal 
church  of  Patterson,  and  has  long  been  identified  with  it.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Putnam  County  Medical  Society,  and  one 
of  its  reorganizers.  For  four  years  he  was  its  president,  and 
the  first  delegate  to  the  State  Society.  Dr.  Wheeler's  long  and 
active  practice  has  made  him  familiar  to  the  people  over  a  wide 
extent  of  country,  while  his  skill  and  ability  are  attested  by 
his  undeniable  and  well  recognized  success. 

Dr.  Jonathan  F.  Seeley.  About  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of 
Doansburg,  and  a  half  mile  north  of  the  line  between  South- 
east and  Patterson,  is  an  old  homestead  and  farm,  formerly  the 
residence  of  Abijali  Seeley,  who  was  born  in  Trumbull,  Conn., 
March  10th,  1777,  and  came  to  this  county  about  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century.  He  set  up  his  trade  as  a  blacksmith, 
and  also  purchased  a  large  farm  at  what  is  now  known  as 
"Deuel  town,"  a  hamlet  near  the  south  line  of  Patterson,  the 
place  being  now  owned  by  John  Steinbeck.  Mr.  Seeley  after- 
ward purchased  the  homestead  mentioned  above,  and  made  it  his 
home  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  August  4th, 
1861,  at  the  age  of  84. 

Mr.  Seeley  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Hopkins, 
February  26th,  1801.  She  was  born  August  3d,  1783,  and  died 
March  9th,  18.'58.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were:  Jeremiah 
H.,  Thomas  P.,  Mary,  wife  of  David  Tompkins  of  Cayuga 
county,  N.  Y.;  Dr.  Johathan  F.,  Eliza,  Belinda,  Euphemiaand 
Francis  A.  The  only  members  of  this  family  now  living  are 
Mrs.  Tompkins  and  Dr.  Jonathan  F.  Seeley,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 


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tLnqi  tni  MB  Sails  Suns,  Nsw'yo-rh 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  267 

Dr.  Jonathan  F.  Seeley  was  born  on  the  old  homestead,  May 
29th,  1809.  When  a  boy  he  attended  the  public  school  and  was 
afterward  a  pupil  of  Dr.  Russell  J.  Minor,  who  was  well  known 
as  an  instructor  of  the  youth  of  the  past  generation.  After 
leaving  school,  he  became  a  teacher  and  served  in  that  capacity 
for  several  years,  in  New  Fairfield,  Conn.,  York  town  and  East 
Fishkill. 

Dr.  Seeley  began  his  medical  studies  with  Dr.  James  Foun- 
tain, of  Yorktown,  Westchester  county,  who  was  quite  famous 
as  a  physician.  In  1833,  he  entered  the  Medical  College  of 
Fairfield,  Herkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  and  was  licensed  to  practice 
in  1834.  Dr.  Seeley  began  to  practice  at  Yorktown  and  re- 
mained till  1846,  when  he  removed  to  Sheboygan,  Wis.,  and  re- 
linquishing his  profession,  engaged  extensively  in  farming.  His 
parents  having  deceased.  Dr.  Seeley  returned  in  1866  to  his 
native  town,  and  has  continued  to  reside  on  the  old  homestead 
till  the  present  time.  On  this  place,  the  home  of  their  child- 
hood, Dr.  Seeley  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Tompkins,  pass  their 
time  in  quiet  usefulness,  good  and  worthy  representatives  of  a 
family  of  the  old  New  England  race. 

Dr.  Seeley  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Abraham  Van  Gel- 
der,  of  New  York;  she  died  in  1877.  Their  daughter,  Isabella, 
died  in  the  11th  year  of  her  age. 

Mr.  David  Tompkins,  who  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Abijah 
Seeley,  was  a  native  of  Yorktown,  Westchester  county.  He  re- 
moved to  Cayuga  county,  N.  Y.,  about  1836,  and  died  there  in 
1878.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  Amanda,  Helen 
Gr.,  wife  of  Ezekiel  Elting;  and  William  S.,  all  deceased.  The 
only  representative  of  this  family  is  Mr.  William  Elting,  son  of 
Ezekiel  Elting,  and  who  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  with 
Dr.  Seeley  and  his  grandmother. 

Austin  La  Monte,  M.  D.,  well  known  as  a  skillful  and  ex- 
perienced member  of  the  medical  profession,  was  born  in  Char- 
lotteville,  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  April  23d,  1837. 

His  father,  Thomas  W.  La  Monte,  married  Elizabeth  Maria 
Paine,  and  Dr.  La  Monte  is  the  youngest  of  six  brothers.  The 
ancestor  of  the  family  was  Eobert  La  Monte,  who  came  origin- 
ally from  Scotland  and  the  doctor's  great-grandfather,  William 
La  Monte  (born  1750,  died  1847),  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. At  the  age  of  sixteen,  the  death  of  his  father  deprived 
him  of  parental  care. 


268  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

After  pursuing  the  usual  branches  taught  in  the  public  schools, 
he  entered  the  New  York  Conference  Seminary  and  subse- 
quently stiidied  medicine  under  the  instruction  of  his  uncle, 
Dr.  William  La  Monte.  He  entered  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  University  of  Michigan  in  1859,  and  graduated  in  1861. 
Dr.  La  Monte  established  his  practice  at  Hyde  Park,  Dutchess 
county,  where  he  remained  nine  years. 

After  removing  from  that  place,  he  passed  a  short  period  in 
travel,  and  came  to  Carmel,  in  January,  1871,  where  he  com- 
menced a  practice  which  he  has  continued  till  the  present  time. 
While  at  Hyde  Park  he  became  connected  with  the  Dutchess 
County  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  is  now  an  honorary  mem- 
ber, and  upon  coming  to  Carmel  was  made  member  of  the  Put- 
nam County  Medical  Society  and  is  still  connected  with  that 
organization.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Berry,  daughter  of  Peter 
N.  Berry,  of  Dutchess  county.  Since  making  his  home  in 
Carmel  he  has  gained  a  wide  extended  practice,  and  a  well 
merited  reputation  as  a  skilled  practitioner. 

Robert  La  Monte,  the  ancestor  of  the  family,  was  born  in 
1725,  and  died  in  1789,  at  North  Hillsdale,  Columbia  county, 
N.  Y.,  and  is  buried  there. 

Dr.  GrEORGE  Wilson  Murdock  was  born  at  Pulaski,  Oswego 
county,  N.  Y.,  September  25th,  184R.  His  paternal  ancestors 
were  of  Scotch  origin,  and  early  settlers  in  Vermont,  where 
they  were  well  known  in  its  history.  His. great-grandfather 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  died  while  in 
service  at  Crown  Point.  Dr.  Burdock  graduated  from  the  Col- 
lege of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  of  New  York  city,  in  1867. 
He  was  student  of  medicine  with  the  late  Doctor  James  L. 
Little,  of  New  York  city.  He  afterward  associated  in  practice 
for  some  years  with  the  late  Dr.  F.  D.  Lente,  of  Cold  Spring, 
N.  Y.  He  has  been  in  active  practice  at  Cold  Spring  for 
eighteen  years,  and  surgeon  to  the  West  Point  Foundry  for 
twelve  years.  He  was  president  of  the  Putnam  County  Medical 
Society  from  1881  to  1884,  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  New 
York  Sate  Medical  Association.  He  was  hospital  steward  of 
the  1st  Minnesota  Cavalry. during  the  Indian  Campaign  in  1863, 
under  G-eneral  Sibley;  also  hospital  steward  and  afterward 
assistant  surgeon  of  the  15th  Michigan  Infantry  in  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee.  He  was  married  October  12th,  1875,  to  Miss 
Mary  Paulding,  daughter  of  P.  Kemble  Paulding,  Esq.,  of  Cold 


GENERAL   HISTORY. 


269 


Spring,  N.  Y.,  and  grand-daughter  of  James  K.  Paulding.     He 
is  widely  known  as  a  successful  and  skillful  physician. 

Dr.  Jared  G.  Wood  was  born  in  Katonah,  Westchester 
county,  N.  Y.,  April  7th,  1835.  He  was  educated  at  Union 
Academy,  Bedford,  and  at  the  New  York  Normal  School, 
graduating  from  the  latter  institution  July  13th,  1854.  He 
studied  medicine  at  the  Medical  College  of  the  University  of 
the  City  of  New  York  and  took  his  degree  in  1861.  He  first 
practiced  at  Croton  Falls  and  in  August,  1862,  he  received  the 
unanimous  appointment  of  the  Examining  Board,  as  surgeon  of 
the  135th  Kegt.  N.  Y.  S. 

Upon  retiring  from  the  army  he  returned  to  Croton  Falls  and 
came  to  Brewster  in  April,  1883,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
practicing  in  that  village. 

Dr.  Wood,  while  engaged  in  teaching,  was  instrumental  in 
founding  the  first  teachers'  association  in  Ms  county,  in  1854. 
He  is  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Knight  Templar, 
chaplain  and  ex-surgeon  of  Crosby  Post,  G.  A.  E,.,  and  as  a 
physician  enjoys  a  large  practice.  His  grandfather.  Dr.  Wil- 
liam Wood,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolution.  Dr.  Wood  mar- 
ried Miss  Marie  Antoinette,  daughter  of  Harrison  Pardee,  in 
1867.     She  died  in  1885,  leaving  one  son,  Edward  M. 

Lewis  H.  Miller,  A.M.,  M.D.,  a  well  known  and  prominent 
member  of  the  medical  profession,  was  born  in  Bedford,  West- 
chester county,  N.  Y.,  March  16th,  1852.  His  parents,  Horace 
and  Hannah  Miller,  were  residents  of  that  town,  and  repre- 
sentatives of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  county.  Dr. 
Miller  remained  at  home  attending  the  public  schools  and  the 
Bedford  Academy,  till  1870,  when  he  entered  the  Freshman  class 
at  Madison  University.  He  graduated  in  1874  with  the  degree 
A.B.,  and  received  the  degree  A.M.  from  the  same  institution  a 
few  years  later. 

For  several  years  after  leaving  college  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  and  as  a  civil  engineer.  Resolving  to  study  for  the  medi- 
cal profession  he  commenced  with  Dr.  Seth  Shove,  entered  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York,  and  graduated 
in  1880  after  nearly  four  years  study.  He  commenced  practice 
in  the  town  of  Patterson,  where  he  remained  nine  months,  and 
returning  to  New  York,  practiced  in  a  New  York  hospital  for 
four  months. 
In  1881  he  came  to  Brewster  and  established  a  practice  which 


70  HISTORY   OF   PtJTNAM   COUNTY. 

he  has  since  continued,  and  has  made  this  village  his  permanent 
home. 

Dr.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Putnam  County  Medical  Society, 
and  a  delegate  to  the  State  Medical  Society.  His  practice,  which 
has  steadily  increased,  now  embraces  a  wide  circuit  of  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  his.  success  in  his  profession  is  the  result 
of  careful  preparation  and  earnest  effort.  Dr.  Miller  is  the  sur- 
geon of  the  Tilly  Foster  Mining  Company,  and  also  for  the  New 
York  &  New  England  and  New  York  &  Northern  Railroad 
Companies.  His  skill  has  been  demonstrated  in  the  successful 
performance  of  several  very  complicated  and  dangerous  surgi- 
cal operations,  as  well  as  in  his  treatment  and  management  of 
the  most  malignant  form  of  the  epidemic  diseases.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  chapter,  is  connected  with 
the  Baptist  Church  of  Brewster,  and  is  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  society.  He  was  married  in  November,  1885,  to  Miss  Flor- 
ence Mansfield,  of  Brooklyn,  L.  I. 

Dr.  Edson  Card,  jr.,  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  fire  sons, 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Stanford,  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y., 
January  14th,  1856.  His  father,  Edson  Card,  sen.,  a  native  of 
Columbia  county,  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  Anti  rent  Asso- 
ciation that  existed  between  1839  and  1847,  and  that  received 
satisfactory  rights  by  the  election  of  Gov.  John  Young  in  1846, 
the  anti-rent  candidate. 

His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Silas  Miller,  Esq.,  of  Columbia 
county,  and  relative  of  the  Hon.  Theodore  Miller  of  same 
county,  now  judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeals.  A  brother  next 
older  occupies  an  honorable  position  in  the  TJractice  of  law  in 
the  city  of  Poughkeepsie. 

His  eldest  brother,  attorney  and  counsellor  at  law,  with  the 
Hon.  Homer  A.  Nelson,  in  New  York  city,  has  established  a 
wide  spread  reputation  as  an  orator  of  great  ability  and  mag- 
netism, and  is  nowiAssemblymau  from  the  Sharon  District  in 
the  State  of  Connecticut. 

He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  county  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  at  the  age  of  15  was  placed  under  the  special 
instruction  of  Hon.  Edgar  A.  Briggs  of  Dutchess  county,  and 
continued  there  for  three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Briggs  (who  was  then  the  school  commissioner 
of  the  2d  District  of  that  county)  a  license  to  teach  in  the  public 
schools  of  Dutchess  county;  which  vocation  he  followed  for 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  271 

five  years  with  credit  to  himself  and  all  concerned,  having  under 
his  care  at  different  times  the  largest  public  schools  in  the 
county  managed  by  a  single  instructor,  but  his  taste  ran  to  the 
science  of  medicine,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  placed  himself 
under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  J.  P.  Wilson,  of  Pleasant  Valley, 
Dutchess  county,  1^?.  Y. 

Here,  under  Dr.  Wilson,  he  continued  for  three  years,  at  the 
same  time  continuing  his  vocation  as  teacher  in  the  public 
schools.  At  the  age  of  23  he  removed  to  New  York  city  and 
entered  the  Medical  Department  of  Columbia  College;  here  he 
jiursued  the  regular  course  of  study  marked  out  by  the  faculty 
of  said  college,  coming  up  for  examination  in  half  his  studies 
at  the  end  of  the  second  year,  and  the  remaining  half  at  the 
end  of  the  third  year.  Thus  at  the  age  of  26  he  graduated,  and 
received  his  diploma  on  the  16th  day  of  May,  1882,  as  a  physi- 
cian and  surgeon.  During  his  college  course  he  was  assistant 
to  the  following  professors  in  their  different  branches  of  in- 
struction: Jno.  C.  Dalton  and  J.  Gr.  Curtis,  professors  on 
physiology;  Alonzo  Clark  and  Francis  Delafield,  jjrofessors  on 
practice  of  medicine ;  and  Jas.  W.  McLane,  professor  on  ob- 
stetrics; under  all  of  whom  he  gained  full  confidence,  and 
received  letters  of  commendation. 

During  his  vacation  in  the  summer  of  1880,  he  was  employed 
in  the  drug  store  of  Charles  H.  Bowne,  in  the  city  of  Pougli- 
keepsie,  and  during  his  vacation  in  the  summer  of  1881,  he  en- 
tered the  oflBce  of  Dr.  D.  Guernsey,  of  Amenia,  Dutchess 
county,  N.  Y.,  as  a  student  and  practicing  physician  under  his 
direction.  During  the  six  months  that  he  remained  here  he 
gained  scores  of  friends  and  was  chosen  superintendent  of  the 
Presbyterian  Sabbath  school,  and  the  community  in  general 
expected  that  on  graduating  he  would  return  there  to  settle; 
but  he  decided  that  the  field  was  already  well  covered  there 
and  began  immediately  to  look  about  for  some  other  place  to 
follow  his  chosen  profession.  Finally  deciding  upon  Lake 
Mahopac  he  removed  thither  July  13th,  1882,  and  now  enjoys  a 
satisfactory  practice  both  from  the  people  in  the  surrounding 
vicinity  and  also  from  the  city  people  who  annually  visit  this 
most  delightful  summer  resort. 

His  residence  is  now  at  the  Thompson  House.  He  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination  since  1874,   and 


272  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

has  held   the  office  of  superintendent  of  Sabbath  school   at 
different  times  and  places. 

Dk.  James  Hadden  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  September 
19th,  1827.  His  father,  Samuel  Hadden,  and  grandfather,  Wil- 
liam Hadden,  were  residents  of  the  county  He  received  his 
primary  education  at  the  public  schools  of  Patnam  county  and 
at  Union  Academy,  Bedford,  Westchester  county.  In  1861,  he 
graduated  from  the  New  York  Medical  College,  receiving  the 
degree  of  M.  D.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  G.  Travis, 
of  Kent,  and  Dr.  John  McKenney,  of  Illinois.  He  began  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  New  York  city,  and  continued  until 
1862,  when  he  joined  the  95th  Regiment,  as  surgeon,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  service  till  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned 
to  New  York  city.  In  1880,  he  removed  to  Patnam  Valley, 
Putnam  county,  where  he  has  continued  to  practice  until  the 
present  time.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Medical  Society  of  the 
City  of  New  York. 

Ernest  Hebersmth,  M.  D.,  son  of  Rev.  Orsamus  H.  Smith, 
for  many  years  rector  of  Christ  Church,  Patterson,  was  born  in 
Rensselaerville,  Albany  county,  N.  Y.,  on  the  20th  of  January, 
1840. 

He  was  educated  chiefly  by  his  father,  until  his  twelfth  year, 
when  he  was  sent  to  the  Balston  Spa  Institute.  He  prepared 
for  college  at  the  Cheshire  Academy,  Cheshire,  Conn.,  and  en- 
tered Hobart  College,  Gfeneva,  N.  Y.,  in  1857. 

He  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  N.  W.  Wheeler, 
of  Patterson,  and  graduated  from  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  of  New  York,  in  the  spring  of  1861.  He  was  at 
that  time  a  resident  interne  of  Bellevue  Hospital  and  re- 
mained until  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion, 
when  he  entered  the  U.  S.  Navy  as  assistant  surgeon,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  His  principal 
service  was  under  Admiral  Farragut.  He  was  present  at  the 
capture  of  New  Orleans  and  Mobile,  and  took  part  in  nearly  all 
the  battles  fought  under  that  great  captain,  and  in  the  blockade 
of  the  Grulf  porfs.  He  was  once  severely  wounded  in  the  face 
and  hand,  for  which  he  was  granted  a  pension  in  1883. 

After  resigning  from  the  navy  in  1865,  he  settled  in  New 
Orleans,  engaged  in  private  practice,  and  was  immediately  ap- 
pointed acting  assistant  sui'geon  in  the  U.  S.  Array.  He  was 
assigned  to  duty  at  the  military  hospitals  in   that  city,  and  as 


GENEEAL   HISTORY.  273 

attending  surgeon  upon  officers  and  officers'  families  in  the  city. 
At  one  time  during  the  yellow  fever  epidemic  of  1867,  he  was 
for  a  week  the  only  one  of  five  medical  officers  attached  to  a 
large  military  hospital  able  to  keep  his  feet,  the  other  four,  one 
of  whom  was  his  brother,  Orsamus,  being  down  with  the  fever. 
The  following  year  an  epidemic  of  cholera  taxed  the  medical 
officers  almost  as  severely,  and  the  hospitals  were  discontinued. 

His  services  being  no  longer  required,  he  resigned  from  the 
army  and  was  soon  after  put  in  charge  of  the  U.  S.  Marine  Hos- 
pital Service,  at  New  Orleans.  He  was  transferred  to  the  charge 
of  the  same  service  at  New  York  in  1871,  and  in  1879  was 
transferred  to  the  charge  of  the  same  service  in  San  Francisco, 
v?here  he  finally  resigned  all  government  service  in  1881. 

Returning  to  Patterson  in  1882,  he  engaged  in  the  private 
practice  of  his  profession  and  is  now  associated  with  Dr.  J.  Sut- 
cliffe  Hill. 

THE   MEDICAL   SOCIETIES    OF   PTJTlSrAM   COUNTY. 

Very  little  can  be  learned  of  the  old  Medical  Society  of  Put- 
nam county.  The  earliest  positive  date  is  1828,  when  Dr.  Aaron 
Carman  of  the  town  of  Carmel  became  a  member.  Dr.  Edward 
Crosby,  who  practiced  in  Carmel  later,  says  that  his  uncle,  Noah 
H.  Crane,  used  to  say  that  Dr.  Fletcher  (probably  Ebenezer 
Fletcher)  of  Patterson,  was  the  last  president,  and  he  died  in 
1852.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  present  society,  Dr. 
Edward  Crosby  was  appointed  to  look  up  the  records  and  seal 
of  the  old  society.  He  reported  that  he  had  made  strict  search 
but  nothing  could  be  found. 

The  present  County  Medical  Society  was  formed  in  1874.  July 
7th,  an  informal  meeting  was  held  in  the  parlor  of  the  Grleneida 
Hotel,  Carmel,  N.  Y.  Present:  J.  H.  Smith,  N.  W.  Wheeler, 
A.  Ely,  E.  Crosby,  J.  Q.  Adams,  A.  La  Monte,  M.  A.  Bailey 
and  Fred.  W.  Bennett.  J.  H.  Smith  was  elected  chairman  and 
M.  A.  Bailey,  secretary.  The  chairman  stated  the  object  of  the 
meeting  and  discussion  followed.  A  resolution  was  passed  to 
meet  at  the  Gleneida  Hotel  July  28th,  1874,  at  12  M.,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  County  Medical  Society,  and  it  was  signed 
by  the  eight  physicians  present. 

July  28th,  1874,  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  physicians  of 
Putnam  county  was  held  in  the  parlor  of  the  Gleneida  Hotel. 
Present:  Dr.  Aaron  Carman,  of  Lake  Mahopac,  Dr.  Edward 
18 


274  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Crosby,  of  Mahopac  Palls,  Dr.  Joseph  H.  Bailey,  of  Kent  Cliffs. 
Dr.  M.  A.  Bailey,  of  Kent  Cliffs,  Dr.  N".  W.  Wheeler,  of  Pat- 
terson, Dr.  A.  La  Monte,  of  Carmel,  Dr.  J.  Q.  Adams,  of  Car- 
mel.  Dr.  A.  Ely,  of  Carmel,  and  Dr.  E.A.  Hobbs,  of  Patterson. 
The  following  officers  were  elected:  Joseph  Howard  Bailey,  of 
Kent  Cliffs,  president;  Edward  Crosby,  of  Mahopac  Falls,  vice 
president;  Matthew  Arbuckle  Bailey,  of  Kent  Cliffs,  secretary; 
John  Homer  Smith,  of  Brewster,  treasurer;  Austin  La  Monte, 
of  Carmel,  Ezra  Allen  Hobbs,  of  Patterson,  John  Quincy  Adams, 
of  Carmel,  censors;  Nathan  William  Wheeler,  of  Patterson, 
delegate  to  State  Medical  Society. 

A  motion  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  draft  a  constitu- 
tion and  by  laws  was  then  made  and  carried.     The  president  ap 
pointed  as  such  committee,  Drs.  J.  Q.  Adams,  J.  H.  Smith  and 
M.  A.  Bailey.     On  motion  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  11th  of 
August,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  same  place. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting,  held  on  the  11th  of  August,  nine 
members  were  present.  A  constitution  and  by  laws  were  offered, 
read  and  adopted  by  articles. 

At  the  eighteenth  regular  meeting  of  the  society,  held  Octo- 
ber 28th,  1879,  the  subject  of  incorporation  came  before  the  so- 
ciety, it  having  been  discovered  that  it.  was  not  legally  incor- 
porated. A  committee  consisting  of  M.  A.  Bailey  and  N.  B. 
Bayley  was  appointed  to  ascertain,  and  report  at  the  next  meet- 
ing what  steps  were  necessary  to  legally  incorpoi-ate  the  society. 

At  the  nineteenth  regular  meeting,  held  January  27th,  1880, 
the  committee  on  incori^oration  reported  that  it  would  be  nec- 
essary for  the  incorporation  of  the  society  to  meet,  and  hold 
our  next  annual  meeting  in  the  room  in  the  Court  House  in 
Carmel  in  which  the  County  Court  had  held  its  last  session.  A 
motion  was  made  that  the  next  annual  meeting  be  held  in  the 
Court  room  of  the  county  of  Putnam.     Motion  carried. 

The  sixth  annual  meeting  was  accordingly  held  in  the  Court 
House,  and  on  account  of  the  importance  of  the  business  trans- 
acted at  that  meeting  the  following  copy  from  the  minutes  is 
given: 

"  Pursuant  to  due  notice  given,  the  following  physicians  and 
surgeons,  residing  in  Putnam  county,  State  of  New  York, 
authorized  by  law  to  practice  medicine  and  surgery,  met  to- 
gether at  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  Tuesday,  July  27th,  1880,  in  the 
room  in  the  County  Court  House  in  the  village  of  Carmel,  being 


GENERAL   HISTORY.  275 

the  place  where  the  last  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas 
next  previous  to  such  meeting  was  held  in  Putnam  county. 

"Present:  Drs.  Nathan  Wm.  Wheeler,  of  Patterson,  John 
Homer  Smith,  of  Brewster,  Norman  Brigham  Bayley,  of 
Brewster,  Matthew  Arbuckle  Bailey,  of  Carmel,  Austin  La 
Monte,  of  Carmel,  John  Quincy  Adams,  of  Carmel,  Edward 
Crosby,  of  Carmel,  George  Wilson  Murdock,  of  Philipstown. 

"  Dr.  N.  W.  Wheeler  was  elected  temporary  chairman.-  Dr. 
N.  B.  Bayley  was  elected  temporary  secretary.  Dr.  M.  A. 
Bailey  moved  that  we  proceed  to  organize  a  County  Medical 
Society  by  the  election  of  officers  to  serve  one  year. 

"  The  following  officers  were  elected:  President,  Dr.  N.  W. 
Wheeler;  vice-president,  Dr.  Geo.  W.  Murdock;  secretary,  Dr. 
N.  B.  Bailey;  treasurer.  Dr.  A.  La  Monte;  censors,  J.  H. 
Smith,  Edward  Crosby,  J.  Q.  Adams. 

"  The  above  minutes  are  placed  on  file  in  the  county  clerk's 
office  in  the  county  of  Putnam,  State  of  New  York,  as  required 
by  law  in  order  to  complete  legal  organization  of  the  Putnam 
County  Medical  Society. 

"Dr.  M.   A.  Bailey  offered  the  following  resolution: 

"Resolved  that  all  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  organiza- 
tion known  as  the  Putnam  County  Medical  Society  since  the 
date  of  the  organization,  July  28th,  1874,  be  accepted  and  de- 
clared binding  upon  this  society  which  has  now  been  organized 
under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

"  This  resolution  was  seconded  by  Dr.  Edward  Crosby  and 
unanimously  adopted." 

Charter  Members: 

John  Quincy  Adams,  M.  D.;  Joined  July,  28th,  1874;  born 
Rushford,  Alleghany  Coiinty,  N.  Y.,  December  31st,  1827; 
graduated  University  Medical  College,  New  York  city, 
March  5th,  1853;  residence,  Carmel;  censor,  1874,  1875,  1880; 
vice-president,  1876,  1877,  1878,  1881,  1882,  1883;  president, 
1884,  1885;  delegate  to  State  Medical  Society,  1880  to  1884; 
became  a  member  State  Medical  Society  in  1884;  late  brevet 
major  and  surgeon  U.  S.  Vol.  Corps. 

Joseph  Howard  Bailey,  M.  D.,  U.  S.  A.;  joined  July  28th, 
1874;  born  in  Fredericktown,  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  October 
20th,  1803;  graduated  from  Rutger  Medical  College,  New  York 
city  in  1827;  appointed  assistant  surgeon  U.  S.  Army  in  1834; 
retired  from  active  service  in  1862;  residence,  Kent  Cliffs,  Put- 


276  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

nam  county,  N.  Y. ;  president  Putnam  County  Medical  Society 
in  1874  and  1875. 

Matthew  Arbuckle  Bailey,  M.  D.;  joined  July  28th,  1874; 
born  at  Fort  Smith,  Arkansas,  December  21st,  1844;  graduated 
from  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College,  New  York  city  in 
1871;  secretary  from  1874  to  1878  inclusive. 

Aaron  Carman,  M.  D. ;  joined  July  28th,  1874;  born  in  Phil- 
ipstown,  Putnam  county,  February  25th,  1798;  graduated  from 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  New  York  city.  May 
25th,  1822;  residence  Lake  Mahopac. 

Edward  Crosby,  M.  D.;  joined  July  28th,  1874;  born  in  South- 
east, Putnam  county,  N.  Y.,  June  22d,  1812;  graduated  at  the 
JefEerson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  1840;  residence, 
Mahopac  Falls;  vice-president,  1874;  censor  from  1877  to  1879 
inclusive. 

Nathan  William  Wheeler,  M.  D.;  joined  July  28th,  1874;  born 
Weston,  Fairfield  county.  Conn.,  December  22d,  1815;  graduated 
from  Berkshire  Medical  College,  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  June  12th, 
1838;  residence,  Patterson,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y. ;  delegate  to 
State  Medical  Society  from  1874  to  1876  inclusive,  and  resigned 
as  such  April  24th,  1877;  president  from  1876  to  1880  in- 
clusive. 

Austin  La  Monte,  M.  D.;  joined  July  28th,  1874;  born  in 
Ciarlotteville,  Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  April  23d,  1837;  gradu- 
ated from  the  University  of  Michigan  Medical  College  in  1861 ; 
residence,  Carmel,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y. ;  censor  1874  to  1877 
inclusive  and  in  1885;  treasurer  from  1877  to  1885  inchisive; 
delegate  to  the  State  Medical  Society  from  1877  to  1880. 

Addison  Ely,  joined  July  28th,  1874;  born  at  Westfield,  Mass., 
in  1813;  licensed  by  the  Massachusetts  State  Medical  Society 
in  1834;  residence  Carmel,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y. 

Ezra  Allen  Hobbs,  M.  D.;  joined  July  28th,  1874;  graduated 
from  Bowdoin  Medical  College,  Maine,  in  1869;  censor  1874, 
1875  and  1876;  withdrew  from  the  society  October  30th,  1877, 
and  went  to  South  Framingham,  Mass. 

Frederic  William  Bennett,  M.  D.,  joined  July  28th,  1874; 
graduated  from  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  New  York 
city,  in  1873;  residence,  Brewster,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.;  with- 
drew January  23d,  1877,  and  went  to  Newark,  N.  J. 

John  Homer  Smith;  born  at  Washington,  Litchfield  county. 
Conn.;  joined  July  28th,  1874;  licensed  by  the  Dutchess  County 


GENERAL  HISTORY.  277 

Medical  Society;  treasurer  in  1874,  1875,  and  1876;  censor,  1879 
to  1884,  inclusive;  residence,  Brewster,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y. 

Meetings: — Annual,  fourth  Tuesday  in  July;  semi-annual, 
fourth  Tuesday  in  January. 

Officers  July  21st,  1885: — J.  Q.  Adams,  president;  S.  A. 
Wood,  vice  president;  L.  H.  Miller,  secretary;  A.  La  Monte, 
treasurer;  censors,  A.  Ely,  A.  La  Monte,  N.  W.  Wheeler;  dele- 
gate to  State  Medical  Society,  L.  H.  Miller. 

Members: — John  Q.  Adams,  Carmel,  N.  Y.;  Norman  B. 
Bayley,  Haverstraw,  Kockland  county,  N.  Y. ;  J.  Edson  Card, 
jr.,  Lake  Mahopac,  N.  Y.;  Edward  Crosby,  Mount  Kisco, 
Westchester  county,  N.  Y.;  Addison  Ely,  Carmel;  Walter  A. 
Jayne,  Cold  Spring;  Austin  La  Monte,  Carmel;  Louis  H.  Miller, 
Brewster;  Geo.  W.  Murdock,  Cold  Spring;  Nathan  W.  Wheeler, 
Patterson;  Samuel  A.  Wood,  Ludingtonville;  William  Young, 
Cold  Spring;  number  of  members,  12. 

Honorary  members: — Henry  Pearce,  Pawling,  Dutchess 
county,  N.  Y.;  Ernest  Hebers,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


CHAPTER  XVm. 


EDUCATION. 


BY  JAMES  A.   FOSHAY. 


THE  present  condition  of  education  in  Putnam  county 
shows  a  spirit  of  improvement,  especially  in  the  larger 
districts  and  villages.  There  are  several  schools  that  deserve 
special  notice,  for  the  improvements  that  have  been  made  in  the 
modern  training  of  youth  is  illustrated  in  them,  and  excellent 
results  are  shov^n.  A  few  of  the  country  districts,  however,  do 
not  show  so  much  advancement.  The  "a  b  c  method"  of 
teaching  children  to  read  is  generally  abandoned  and  the  "  word 
method"  is  used  instead.  Pupils  are  taught  to  understand 
what  they  read,  instead  of  merely  pronouncing  the  words. 
Teachers  feel  the  responsibilities  of  dealing  with  plastic  minds, 
so  susceptible  to  impressions,  knowing  that  their  influences 
make  impressions  that  last  through  life.  There  is  no  depart- 
ment whose  influences  tend  to  suppress  vice  and  stimulate  vir- 
tue, as  the  department  of  public  instruction.  We  find  the 
school  houses  and  churches  side  by  side,  and  the  people  quite 
as  willing  to  support  the  one  as  the  other.  In  the  year  1885, 
there  was  raised  by  local  taxation,  for  the  benefit  of  schools, 
$22,602.47,  and  $9,158.21  was  received  from  the  State  school 
money;  making  $31,760.68.  There  is  a  steadily  growing  interest 
manifested  in  reference  to  our  system  of  public  education.  As 
the  people  are  educated  to  a  due  appreciation  of  the  import- 
ance of  good  schools,  so  the  schools  improve.  The  teachers  gen- 
erally are  zealous  and  industrious,  depending  more  on  them- 
selves and  less  upon  the  text-book  than  formerly.  Of  the 
seventy- three  teachers  now  employed,  four  are  licensed  by  State 
certificates,  eight  by  Normal  School  diplomas  and  sixty- three 
by  the  school  commissioner. 


GENERAL  HIBTOEY.  27& 

The  improvement  in  school  hoxises  is  an  evidence  of  progress. 
A  pleasant  room  of  projjer  size,  well-furnished  and  kept  neat,  is 
a  strong  educating  force,  and  sheds  forth  an  influence  for  good 
on  the  pupils.  The  people  realize  this;  and  for  several  years 
we  have  seen  new,  commodious  houses  being  built  to  take  the 
places  of  the  old  ones;  and  in  building  them  the  health  and 
comfort  of  the  pupils  were  consulted.  There  are  thirty-eight 
school  houses  that  are  new  or  in  good  repair;  sixteen  are  com- 
fortable; and  six  are  poor.  In  a  few  of  the  old  buildings  there 
still  remain  benches  for  seats,  one  desk  extending  the  side  of 
the  room,  so  that  the  pupils  must  face  the  walls.  It  is  pleasing 
to  note  that  the  number  of  buildings  of  this  class  is  growing- 
less  every  year.  There  are  fifty-five  frame  buildings  and  five 
brick  buildings. 

The  local  school  officers,  as  a  rule,  are  faithful  and  earnest  in 
the  performance  of  their  duties  and  gratuitous  work;  and  mani- 
fest much  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  schools.  Forty-one  dis- 
tricts have  one  trustee  each,  eighteen  districts  have  three  trus- 
tees each,  and  one,  the  Union  Free  School  District  at  Garrisons, 
has  five  trustees. 

Full  success  in  school  work  cannot  be  attained  while  we  have 
irregular  attendance.  It  disorganizes  classes  and  makes  extra 
work  for  the  teachers  in  many  ways.  There  were  3,057  names 
enrolled  during  the  year  1885.  There  were  nine  private  schools^ 
with  an  enrollment  of  114  pupils,  taught  during  the  year  1885. 

The  best  means  of  special  preparation  for  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  our  teachers  is  the  Teachers'  Institute.  It  brings  to  the 
attention  of  teachers,  by  persons  of  rare  ability,  the  latest  and 
best  experience  in  education  and  school  government.  The  time 
and  place  for  holding  the  institute  are  designated,  and  the  in- 
structors are  assigned  by  the  State  superintendent  of  public  in- 
struction. The  sessions  are  usually  in  May  and  continue  one 
week. 

The  Putnam  County  Teachers'  Association  was  organized 
May  24th,  1882,  with  Mr.  Frank  H.  Greene  as  president;  which 
office  he  has  continued  to  hold.  Papers  and  addresses  have 
been  presented  by  the  best  teachers  of  the  county,  and  discussed 
by  members  of  the  association.  The  meetings  of  this  associa- 
tion are  held  semi-annually  in  different  parts  of  the  county, 
thus  affording  opportunities  for  all  to  attend.  These  meetings; 
are  very  useful  to  the  younger  teachers  who  receive  methods 


280  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUKTY. 

and  suggestions  from  those  who  have  had  experience  in  the 
work. 

There  seems  to  be  a  general  disposition  to  comply  with  Chap- 
ter 30  of  the  Laws  of  1884;  "An  act  in  relation  to  the  study 
of  physiology  and  hygiene  in  public  schools."  Soon  after  the 
passage  of  this  act  School  Commissioner  Foshay  issued  a  cir- 
cular to  teachers,  also  one  to  trustees,  calling  attention  to  the 
act.  Reports  show  that  the  study  was  taught  in  nearly  every 
school. 

In  the  apportionment  of  the  State  school  money  for  1886,  the 
•'district  quota,"  or  amount  to  be  given  for  each  teacher  in 
the  county  is  $66.12,  an  increase  of  $21.28  over  the  year  1885. 
This  increase  is  the  result  of  the  provision  in  Chapter  340  of 
the  Laws  of  1885,  changing  the  basis  of  apportionment.  This 
is  a  very  desirable  change,  as  it  aids  the  country  districts 
especially. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


TOWN  OF  CARMEL. 


REVISED  BY  BEV.    W.    S.    CLAPP. 


Settlement  and  Early  History. — ^Village  of  Carmel. — Lake  Gleneida. — Carmel 
Collegiate  Institute  and  Drew  Ladies'  Seminary. — Carmel  Literary  Union. — 
Railroad. — Bank. — Newspapers. — The  GUead  Church. — Rev.  Daniel  D.  Sahler. 
— Gilead  Burying  Ground.  — James  Raymond. — Mount  Carmel  Baptist  Church. 
— Rev.  William  S.  Clapp. — Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


THE  town  of  Carmel  includes  the  southern-  half  of  Lots  5 
and  6  of  the  Phillpse  Patent.  It  Is  bounded  north  by- 
Kent,  east  by  Southeast,  south  by  Westchester  county,  and 
west  by  Putnam  Valley.  A  small  portion  of  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  town  was  annexed  to  Putnam  Valley  in  1861. 

The  earliest  account  of  a  settlement  in  this  town  is  derived 
from  the  Hamblin  family.  In  the  year  1739  Eleazar  Hamb- 
lin,  with  his  family,  left  Cape  Cod  to  seek  a  home  in  New  York. 
On  his  way  he  stopped  at  the  house  of  John  Hazen  in  Nor- 
wich. He  concluded  to  leave  his  family  there  and  to  go  for- 
ward himself  to  find  a  suitable  place  for  settling.  On  his 
return  he  found  that  his  daughter,  Sarah,  had  married  Caleb 
Hazen,  the  son  of  his  host.  His  son-in-law  went  with  him  and 
both  settled  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Carmel.  Eleazar 
Hamblin  made  his  home  on  the  present  homestead  farm  of  Ira 
Crane,  and  here  he  lived  and  died.  The  house  stood  about 
fifteen  rods  south  of  Mr.  Crane's  residence.  Caleb  Hazen  settled 
at  what  has  ever  since  been  called  Hazen  Hill,  about  a  mile 
southwest  of  the  village  of  Carmel.  The  old  homestead  stood 
near  the  bank  of  the  west  branch  of  Croton  River,  where  the 
house  of  Mrs.  William  H.  Baxter  now  stands.  Near  this  place 
he  had  in  later  years  a  forge  and  a  small  furnace  for  melting 
iron.     Traces  of  this  furnace  may  still  be  seen. 


282  HISTORY  or  putnam  county. 

In  the  statement"  of  Nimham,  the  Indian  sachem,  it  is  seen 
that  many  persons  settled  at  an  early  date  on  the  eastern  part 
of  Philipse  Patent  as  tenants  of  the  Indians  who  claimed  the 
land,  or  by  their  permission.  The  affidavit  of  Timothy  Shaw' 
furnishes  a  very  reliable  list  of  some  of  the  early  settlers.  Among 
these  was  George  Hughson,  who  settled  at  the  north  end  of 
Lake  Mahopac  about  1740  and  probably  on  the  farm  which  was 
held  by  his  son,  Kobert  Hughson,  at  the  time  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  was  bought  by  him  from  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feiture in  1782. 

About  1741  William  and  Uriah  Hill  came  to  the  place  after- 
ward known  as  Red  Mills  and  began  to  clear  a  tract  of  land 
purchased  of  the  Indians.  Uriah  is  said  to  have  made  himself 
obnoxious  to  his  dusky  neighbors  and  was  obliged  to  leave. 
William  continued  here  and  in  1765  purchased  of  Roger  Morris 
and  Mary  his  wife  the  tract  on  which  he  had  made  a  settlement, 
and  part  of  which  is  owned  by  his  descendants  at  the  present 
time. 

Timothy  Shaw'  made  his  home  at  the  north  end  of  the  lake 
which  from  him  took  the  name  of  Shaw's  Pond,  which  it  con- 
tinued to  bear  till  modern  times,  when  it  was  changed  to  the 
more  romantic  and  musical  title  of  Lake  Gleneida.  As  in  his 
affidavit  made  in  1767  he  states  that  he  was  well  acquainted 
with  all  the  settlements  that  had  been  made  in  these  parts 
within  twenty-five  years,  it  is  evident  that  he  must  have  been 
here  as  early  as  1742,  and  he  doubtless  has  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  settler  in  the  present  village  of  Carmel. 

The  Myrrick  family  were  also  here  at  an  early  date,  though 
the  first  of  whom   anything  definite  is  known  were  Isaac*  and 

'See  Chapter  on  Wappinger  Indians. 

'See  Chapter  on  Population. 

^In  an  old  burying  ground  on  the  Belden  farm,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Lake 
Gleneida,  and  where  the  slaves  of  the  Belden  family  were  buried,  is  a  small 
enclosure  surrounding  a  single  grave  and  a  head  stone  recording  the  death  of 
Deborah  Shaw,  who  died  May  5th,  1834,  aged  84.  She  was  a  white  woman  who 
lived  with  several  families.  She  requested  to  be  buried  in  that  place  because,  as 
she  said,  "my  ancestors  lie  there."  It  is  probable  that  she  was  a  daughter  of 
Timothy  Shaw  and  that  a  family  burying  place  was  there  in  early  times. 

*  Isaac   was  born  about  1740,   and  died  in  May,  1813.      He  msu'ried  Sarah, 

daughter  of  Caleb  Hazen.     Their  children  were:  Jemima,  wife  of Green; 

David,  born  December  18th,  1768,  died  1863;  John,  born  1770,  died  1813;  Aris- 
tobulus,  born  1774,  died  1850;  Samuel,  born  1778,  died  1812;  Ada,  wife  of  Thomas 
Smith;  Mary;  Naomi,  wife  of  Foster  Finch;  Ezra,  and  Sarah. 


TOWN   OP   CAEMEL.  283 

David  Myrrick,  who  were  doubtless  of  a  second  generation.     A 
family  named  Tompkins  were  among  the  earliest  residents  in 
the  western  part  of  the  town,  north  of  Lake  Mahopac.     Wil 
liam  Wright,  a,  Scotchman,  lived  south  of  Carmel  village,  on 
the  present  farm  of  G-eorge  M.  Hughson. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  at  the  tima  of  the  settlement  and 
for  many  years  after,  the  Philipse  Patent  was  not  surveyed, 
and  these  early  inhabitants  were  simply  squatters  on  unoccupied 
land,  and  made  such  arrangements  with  their  Indian  neighbors 
as  they  could.  In  the  year  1754  the  patent  was  surveyed  and 
divided  into  lots,  and  Lot  6  (which  includes  the  eastern  part  of 
this  town)  fell  to  Philip  Philipse,  and  Lot  5  (which  includes 
the  western  part)  fell  to  Mary  Philipse,  afterward  wife  of 
Roger  Morris.  These  two  portions  will  be  considered  sepa- 
rately. 

In  the  year  1762,  Lot  No.  6,  which  belonged  to  Philip 
Philipse,  was  surveyed  and  divided  into  farms  of  various  sizes 
and  leased  to  a  large  number  of  tenants,  most  of  whom  were  in 
actual  possession  at  that  time.  The  descendants  of  many  of 
these  tenants  are  to  be  found  here  at  the  present  day,  while 
some  families,  once  numerous,  have  moved  away  to  other  re- 
gions, or  become  extinct. 

Among  the  names  of  the  earliest  settlers  should  be  mentioned 
John  Spragg,  who  was  here  in  1745,  and  whose  house  stood  on 
the  east  line  of  the  lot,  where  the  residence  of  LeGrrand  Hugh- 
son  now  stands,  on  the  road  from  Carmel  to  Brewster.  A  man 
named  Wooden  had  a  mill  on  the  west  branch  of  the  Croton, 
while  another,  kept  by  one  Kellogg,  was  probably  on  what  was 
then  called  "  Mill  River,"  and  now  "Michael's  Brook."  And 
Silas  Washburn  also  had  a  mill  on  the  west  branch  of  the 
Croton. 

In  the  Field  Book  of  Survey  of  Lot  No.  6,  made  April  12th, 
1762,  by  Benjamin  Morgan,  the  following  persons  are  men- 
tioned as  living  on  that  part  of  the  lot  which  is  now  embraced 
in  the  town  of  Carmel:  Daniel  Taylor,  Samuel  Peters,  Abraham 
Mabie,  Daniel  Taylor,  Isaac  Lounsbury,  Joseph  Bates,  Thomas 
Baxter,  Thomas  Karl,  Solomon  Jenkins,  Daniel  Philips, 
Michael  Sloat,  Francis  Brian,  Thos.  Ferguson,  John  Craft, 
James  Sears,  Eleazar  Hamlin,  Caleb  Hazen,  James  Russell, 
Jesse  Smith,  Jonathan  Hubby,  Elisha  Oakley,  John  Granouug, 
Edward      Ganoung,      Joseph      Ganoung,     Russel     Gregory, 


284  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Joseph     Bates,      Timothy     Gregory,      Ebenezer     Robinson, 

— : Wooden, Kellogg,     James    Wilson,    Hannah 

Finch,  Nathaniel  Robinson,  John  Maybee,  William  Stone, 
Helkiah  Brown,  Philip  Ruflf,  John  Ruff,  Isaac  Peree,  Uriah 
Lawrence,  Abraham  Hartwell,  Caleb  Brundage,  Rev.  Elnathan 

Gregory,  Jeremiah  Huston,  Burbank,  John  Tompkins. 

Widow  Kerkins,  Thomas  Crosby,  John  Merrick,  Samuel  Lucas, 
Matthew  Bump,  Wheaten  Robinson,  Bethiah  Ballard,  Silas 
Washburn,  David  Merrick,  Seth  Merrick,  Moses  Fowler, 
Daniel  Townsend,  William  Merritt,  John  Sprages,  Josiah  Peck, 
Benjamin  Barber,  Samuel  Gates,  Isaac  Merritt,  Mercy  Hopkins, 
John  Barber,  Thomas  Philips,  Esq.,  Jonathan  Hopkins,  Robert 
Fuller,  Joseph  Barber,  John  Paddock,  Hezekiah  Mead,  David 
Barber,  Samuel  Peree,  William  Dean,  Hezekiah  Mead,  Abigail 
Terry,  Amos  Fuller,  Edsy  Baker,  Cornelius  Fuller,  John 
Travis,  Eleazar  Baker,  John  Purdy,  Edmund  Baker,  Wm. 
Rapelyea,  Benjamin  Weed,  Elisha  Baker,  Isaac  Smith. 

As  stated  before,  these  farms  were  leased  to  tenants.  One  of 
the  original  leases  is  yet  in  existence,  and  as  a  relic  of  antiquity 
it  is  here  given  in  full : 

"This  Indenture  made  the  Eighth  day  of  August  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-six.  Be- 
tween Philip  Philipse  of  the  City  of  New  York  of  the  one  part 
and  James  Dickinson  of  the  County  of  Dutchess  in  the  province 
of  New  York  of  the  other  part.  Witnesseth:  That  the  said 
Philip  Philipse  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  twenty 
pounds  current  money  of  New  York,  to  him  in  hand  paid  by 
James  Dickinson,  the  receipt  whereof  the  said  Philip  Philipse 
doth  hereby  confess  and  acknowledge,  and  also  in  considera- 
tion of  the  rent  and  Covenant  hereinafter  Reserved  and  Con- 
tained, he  the  said  Philip  Philipse  hath  granted,  Bargained, 
sold,  delivered,  enfeoffed.  Released,  Conveyed  and  Confirmed, 
and  by  these  presents  doth  grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  enfeoff. 
Release,  Convey  and  Confirm  unto  the  said  James  Dickinson 
and  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever.  All  that  Messuage  and  tract 
of  land.  Situate,  Lying  and  being  on  Philipse  Patent  in 
Dutchess  County  and  Province  of  New  York,  that  was  formerly 
in  possession  of  Thomas  Crosby.  Beginning  at  Shaw's  Pond  so 
called.  Running  Easterly  in  company  with  Silas  Washburn's 
farm  to  Saw  Mill  River,  from  thence  running  Southwardly 
down  said  river  in  company  with  Matthew  Bump's  farm,  so 


TOWN   or   CAKMEL.  285 

called,  to  Jeremiah  Hughson's  farm'  from  thence  running 
westwardly  in  company  with  Jeremiah  Hughson's  farm  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Elnathan  Gregory's  farm,"  from  thence  westwardly 
to  John  Merrick's  farm,  so  called,  from  thence  Northwardly  in 
company  with  John  Merrick's  farm  to  the  first  mentioned 
bounds.  Containing  two  hundred  and  ninety-two  acres.  In- 
cluding the  dwelling  houses,  barn  and  saw  mill,  orchards,  fences 
and  appurtenances  thereto  belonging.  Excepting  and  always 
reserving  unto  the  said  Philipse,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  all 
mines,  minerals  and  oares  of  metals  that  is  on,  or  shall  be 
found  or  discovered  in  or  upon  the  said  premises,  or  any  part 
thereof. 

"  To  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said  Messuage  and  premises  here- 
by granted  and  conveyed,  and  every  part  thereof,  with  the  ap- 
purtenances thereof,  except  as  excepted,  unto  the  said  James 
Dickinson,  his  heirs  and  assigns  to  the  only  proper  use  and  be- 
hoof of  the  said  James  Dickinson,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for 
ever.  Yielding  and  paying  therefor  yearly  and  every  year  unto 
the  said  Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs  and  assigns  the  rent  or  sum 
of  fourteen  pounds,  current  money  of  New  York  at  or  upon 
the  eighth  day  of  August  yearly  and  every  year  for  ever,  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs  or  assigns 
in  the  City  of  New  York,  if  he  or  they  shall  reside  in  New  York 
or  at  such  other  place  in  the  City  of  New  York  as  the  said 
Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs  or  assigns  shall  by  writing  direct  and 
appoint,  or  if  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs  or  assigns  shall 
not  reside  in  the  city  of  New  York,  or  shall  not  by  writing  di- 
rect and  appoint  any  place  in  the  City  of  New  York  for  pay- 
ment thereof,  then  and  in  such  case  the  said  reserved  rent  shall 
be  payable  on  the  said  granted  premises.  And  if  it  shall  hap- 
pen the  said  yearly  rent  and  payment  or  any  part  thereof  to 
be  behind  and  unpaid  in  part  or  in  all,  by  the  space  of  twenty 
days  next  after  the  said  time  limited  for  payment  thereof,  on 
which  the  same  ought  to  be  paid,  that  then  and  from  thence- 
forth it  shall  and  may  be  Lawfull  to  and  for  the  said  Philip 
Philipse,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  with  the  said  premises  with  the 
appurtenances,  or  with  any  part  thereof  in  the  Name  of  the 
whole  to  re-enter  and  the  same  to  have  again,  Reposess  and  en- 

'  Now  the  farm  of  Addison  Hopkins. 

''  Now  the  homestead  of  Lyman  Craft  (opposite  Gilead  burying  ground)  and 
land  adjoining. 


286  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

joy  as  his  or  their  former  estate,  this  present  indenture  or  any 
thing  therein  contained  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  And 
the  said  Philip  Philpse,  for  himself  and  assigns,  Doth  coven- 
ant and  grant  to  and  with  the  said  James  Dickinson,  his  heirs, 
and  assigns  that  for  and  notwithstanding  any  matter  or  thing  by 
him  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  done  or  committed  to  the  contrary, 
he  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  hath  good  right  full  power  and  law- 
full  authority  in  his  own  right  to  grant,  bargain,  sell  and  con- 
vey the  said  premises  above  mentioned  with  the  appurtenances 
unto  the  said  James  Dickinson,  his  heirs  and  assigns  to  the  only 
proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  said  James  Dickinson,  his  heirs 
and  assigns  forever,  according  to  the  true  Intent  and  meaning 
of  these  presents,  and  also  that  the  said  James  Dickinson,  his 
heirs  and  assigns  shall  and  may  from  time  to  time  and  at  all 
times  henceforth  forever  hereafter  by  and  under  the  said  rent 
of  fourteen  pounds  herein  contained,  peaceably  and  quietly  en- 
ter into  and  have,  occupy  and  enjoy,  all  and  singular  the  said 
Messuage  a,nd  premises  above  mentioned  with  all  the  appurten- 
ances, and  receive  the  profits  thereof  to  his  and  their  own  use, 
without  the  denial  of  him  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs  or 
assigns,  or  any  other  persons  whatsoever  and  that  freed  from  all 
other  bargains  and  Incumbrances  whatsoever.  And  the  said 
James  Dickinson  for  himself,  his  heirs,  executors  and  admin- 
istrators Doth  covenant  with  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs 
and  assigns  that  he  the  said  James  Dickinson  his  heirs,  execu- 
tors, administrators  and  assigns  shall  and  will  well  and  truly 
pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  to  the  said  Philip  Philipse,  his  heirs  or 
assigns  the  said  yearly  rent  of  fourteen  pounds  herein  contained 
and  reserved  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  these 
presents  without  any  deduction,  abatement  or  imposition  of 
taxes  either  ordinary  or  extraordinary  whatsoever. 

'■'■In  Witness  Whereof  fhe  parties  to  these  presents  Inden- 
tures, have  interchangably  set  their  hands  and  seals  the  day 
and  year  lirst  above  written. 

"Philip  Philipse.  (L.  S.) 

' '  Sealed  and  delivered 
" in  the  presence 

"John    Dickinson, 

"  Daniel  Wright." 

Such  was  the  general  form  of  a  lease  at  that  time.  Of  course 
the  term  of  years  varied  in  different  cases  from  one  year  to 


TOWK   OP   OARMBL.  287 

perpetuity  as  in  the  above  case.  The  farm  thus  leased  includes 
the  land  where  the  railroad  station  at  Carmel  stands,  the  farm 
and  homestead  of  Henry  D.  Clapp,  the  grounds  of  the  Drew 
Ladies'  Seminary,  the  Gilead  Burying  Ground,  the  present 
Presbyterian  church  and  lands  adjoining.  The  north  line  of 
the  farm  starts  from  the  lake  at  the  south  line  of  the  school 
house  lot,  and  runs  east  along  the  north  line  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  lot,  the  lands  of  Daniel  W".  Robinson  and  Char- 
lotte Hopkins,  to  the  Michael's  Brook  or  Saw  Mill  River  as 
it  was  formerly  called.  It  ran  south  along  this  brook  to  the 
present  farm  of  Addison  J.  Hopkins,  then  west  to  the  old  road 
that  used  to  run  east  from  the  Grilead  Burying  Ground;  then 
along  the  old  "Horse  pound  road"  west  to  the  corner.  The 
farm  of  John  Merrick  lay  on  the  west  of  the  road  (which  ran 
some  distance  west  of  its  present  route)  and  is  now  owned  by 
George  W.  Hughson.  Upon  the  back  of  the  original  lease  was 
endorsed  the  following : 

"I,  James  Dickinson,  do,  for  value  received  assign  over  all 
my  right,  title,  claim  and  interest  in  the  within  lease  unto  John 
Wallace,  jr.,  and  Thomas  Huggeford  as  witness  my  hand  and 
seal  this  23  day  of  April  1774. 

"James  Dickinson." 

John  Wallace  transferred  his  interest  to  Mr.  Nathan  Pad- 
dock "  beginning  at  a  pile  of  stones  by  the  highway,  south  of 
the  house  of  James  Dickinson  and  running  east  16  chains  and 
30  links  to  a  pile  of  stones;  then  north  12  degrees,  west  20 
chains  and  60  links;  then  N.  77i  degrees  E.  to  the  saw  mill 
river;  then  up  the  stream  till  it  comes  to  Samuel  Washburn's 
farm;  then  westerly  by  Washburn's  farm  till  it  comes  to  John 
Merrick's  farm;  then  southerly  along  John  Merrick's  farm  to 
the  iirst  bounds,  containing  170  acres  more  or  less."  '  January 
7th,  1785. 

This  is  evidently  the  north  part  of  the  farm.  Thomas  Hug- 
geford "of  Fairfield  County,  Connecticut,"  transferred  all  his 
right  to  James  Dickinson,  jr.,  April  13th,  1775. 

A  deed  from  Frederick  Philipse  to  Elisha  Cole  dated  Decem- 
ber 2d,  1828,  recites  the  foregoing  lease,  and  goes  on  to  state 
that  the  farm  had  been  divided  and  sold  by  subsequent  owners, 
and  that  the  rent  had  been  charged  to  each  part.     The  north 

'  Original  document  in  possession  of  O.  W.  Cole,  Carmel.     See  Book  "  A  '  of 
Deeds,  page  166,  Putnam  County  Records. 


288 


HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 


part  of  the  farm  had  come  into  the  possession  of  Frederick 
Philipse  (who  was  the  heir  of  Philip  Philipse)  and  the  south 
part  had  come  into  the  possession  of  Elisha  Cole  whereby  he 
was  liable  for  the  annual  rent  of  seven  pounds,  and  by  this  deed 
Frederick  Philipse,  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  $291.60  cents, 
released  all  his  claim  on  the  south  half  of  the  farm  to  Elisha 
Cole,  with  the  following  reservations  : 

"  It  is  understood  that  the  right  to  collect  any  part  of  the  said 
rent  from  the  trustees  of  the  Gilead  meeting  house  or  society, 
or  to  distrain  for  the  same  upon  the  premises  occupied  for  the 
said  meeting  house  and  burying  ground  attached  thereto  is 


THE  PHILIPSE  MANOK  HOUSE. 

From  a  drawing  by  Chas.  H.  Ludington,  July  6th,  1846. 

hereby  reserved  by  the  said  Frederick  Philipse  to  himself  and 
his  heirs."  Upon  the  north  half  of  this  farm  stood  for  many 
years  a  house  said  to  have  been  built  by  Frederick  Philipse 
after  the  Eevolution,  and  in  this  mansion  he  resided  when  he 
came  to  visit  his  estate.  This  house  stood  on  the  east  side  of 
the  present  road  about  an  eighth  of  a  mile  below  the  seminary. 
A  row  of  lilac  bushes  mark  the  spot  and  have  long  survived  the 
hand  that  planted  them,  and  they  are  all  that  is  left  to  remind 
the  traveller  that  there  stood  the  house  of  the  "Lord  of  the 
Manor."   ,  After  the  death  of  Frederick  Philipse  his  daughter, 


TOWN    OP   OARMEL.  289 

ICary,  with  her  husband,  Samuel  Gouverneur,  sold  to  Bllsha 
Cole  all  the  remaining  north  part  of  the  farm,  the  deed  being 
dated  February  1st,  1830". 

Elisha  Cole  remained  in  possession  of  the  greater  part  of 
these  tracts  until  the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  July  19th, 
1851,  at  the  age  of  75.  After  some  changes,  the  larger  part  came 
into  possession  of  Daniel  Drew  and  is  now  owned  by  his  de- 
scendants. After  the  death  of  Philip  Philipse,  which  occurred 
in  1768,  Lot  6  fell  by  the  terms  of  his  will  to  his  wife,  Margaret 
(who  afterward  married  Rev.  John  Ogilvie)  and  his  surviving 
children;  Nathaniel,  Frederick  and  Adolph.  In  1771  a  parti- 
tion of  this  lot  was  made  among  these  heirs,  and  the  field  book 
of  survey  is  in  the  county  clerk's  office  at  Poughkeepsie,  while 
the  map  is  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  State.  The  partition 
was  made  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  an  act  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Legislature,  passed  January  9th,  1762,  "For  the  more 
effectually  collecting  his  Majesty's  Quit  Rents."  As  some  of 
the  heirs  were  minors  it  was  necessary  to  proceed  in  a  strictly 
legal  manner.  The  field  book  states  all  the  proceedings.  An 
advertisement  signed  by  Adolph  Philipse  was  printed  in  "  Hugh 
Gaine's  New  York  Gazette  and  in  John  Holt's  New  York  Jour- 
nal," or  the  "General  Advertizer,"  for  the  term  of  twelve 
weeks.  Two  of  the  commissioners  appointed,  Thomas  Belden 
and  Moss  Kent,  "  met  at  the  house  of  John  Swan,  Innholder 
at  Peekskill,"  and  Beverly  Robinson,  the  other  commissioner, 
not  appearing  they  adjourned  to  his  house,  where  they  were  all 
duly  sworn  by  Judge  Henry  Vandenburg.  On  October  17th,  1771, 
they  "  met  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Smith  on  said  lot."  The 
surveyor  was  Benjamin  Morgan,  who  had  divided  the  lot  into 
farms  in  1762,  and  the  chain  bearers  were  Samuel  Gregory, 
Jacob  Kniffen,  Isaac  Everitt,  Isaac  Ganung  and  John  Utter. 
The  first  thing  done  was  to  "  run  the  out  bounds  of  the  lot" 
and  as  this  locates  many  ancient  land  marks  it  is  given  in  full: 

West  Line.  "  Thursday  17  October  1771,  began  to  run  the 
out  bounds  Present,  Beverly  Robinson,  Thomas  Belden,  and 
Moss  Kent  Esqrs.     Began  at  a  stake  and  a  heap  of  stones  on 

'  An  old  house  stood  south  of  the  Philipse  mansion,  near  the  corner,  and  was 
owned  by  various  persons  who  in  turn  held  the  south  half  of  the  original  farm. 
About  1777,  Charles  Cullen,  who  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Eev.  Elisha  Kent 
and  aunt  of  Chancellor  Kent,  came  from  Milltown  in  Southeast,  and  lived  on  this 
place  till  the  time  of  his  death  in  1784. 

19 


290  HISTOKY   OF  PUTNAM  COUNTY. 

top  of  a  hill  by  a  walnut  sappling,  marked  M.  P'.  on  the  west 
side  and  P.P.  on  the  east  side  and  1753  on  the  north  side,  which 
heap  of  stones  lyes  in  the  line  of  the  Manor  of  Cortland,  and 
is  also  the  southeasterly  corner  of  Lot  No.  5,  belonging  to  Col. 
Roger  Morris.  Then  ran  by  line  of  Lot  No.  5,  N.  9  degrees,  9 
minutes  E,  formerly  N.  10  E.  962  chains  46  links.  At  28  chains 
crossed  a  run  of  water;  runs  to  the  right;  at  33  crossed  a  road; 
at  34  Benj.  Thompson's  house;  3  chains  to  right;  at  83  crossed 
road;  at  84  crossed  Peter  Mabie's  house;  at  94,  ch.  42  1.  a 
hickory  sapling,  found  the  angle  to  contain  15  minutes;  then 
runs  N.  8,  54  E.  at  163.42  a  dead  tree,  in  Michael  Sloat's  field; 
at  179.85  a  hickory  tree;  thence  N.  8,48  E;  at  235  crossed  a  run 
of  water,  runs  to  right;  at  244  James  Beldens  house  50  links  to 
right;  at  246  crossed  Belden's  barn,  at  273  made  monument  of 
stones  on  south  side  of  road'  in  a  run  of  water  about  1  chain 
from  Gabriel  Carpenter's  house  on  lot  5,  at  276  crossed  Pish 
brook,  at  278  where  Dea.  Hamblin's  sa,w  mill  formerly  stood,  3 
ch.  to  right;  and  John  McLean's  house  4  ch.  to  right,  at  294 
James  Sear's  house  8  ch.  to  right,  at  308  Eleazor  Hamblins 
6  ch.  to  right,  at  357.50  crossed  brook  runs  to  right\  at  358 
Wm.  Meads  2  ch.  to  right,  at  387  black  oak  formerly 
marked,  at  391  a  red  ash  tree,  at  392  another  at  419  a  rock, 
corner  to  Jesse  Smith's  farm,  now  widow  Hall,  on  which 
we  laid  a  heap  of  stones,  at  436.80  crossed  the  west  branch  of 
Croton  River;  at  450  David  Frost's  house  3  ch.  to  right;  at 
452  a  barn  1  ch.  to  right,  at  452.75  a  fl.at  rock,  on  north 
side  of  road  marked  M.R.P.P*.  at  459  top  of  hill  (here  troubled 
with  mineral)  at  485  chestnut  tree,  at  492  a  steep  preci- 
pice of  rocks  at  bottom  of  which  we  marked  a  hickory  tree', 
at  511  came  to  Pine  Pond  brook,  at  517  crossed  brook,  runs  to 
right,  at  550  made  a  monument  of  stones  in  Charles  Townsend's 
field,  at  578  made  a  monument  of  stones  in  Robert  Fuller's  field 
on  a  large  flat  rock,  at  593  made  a  monument  of  stones  between 
2  white  oak  ti-ees  both  standing  on  the  S.W.  point  of  a  knoll 
and  S.W.  edge  of  swam^j,  at  602  came  to  an  island  in  swamp, 

'  These  letters  stand  for  Morris  and  Philipse. 

'This  is  on  road  from  Carmel  to  Lake  Mahopac,  at  the  Alvah  Hopkins  place, 
now  Townsend  Secor's  heirs,  a  short  distance  east  of  road  running  north  to  the 
Crane  Burying  ground. 

''This  is  at  the  house  of  James  Harvey  Reed,  on  road  to  Long  Pond. 

■•At  house  of  George  SmaUey,  on  road  to  Coles  Mills. 

''This  is  on  the  County  Alms  House  farm. 


TOWN   OF   CAKMEL.  291 

at  625  to  Pine  Pond  at  667  the  upper  end  of  pond,  at  700, 
monument  of  stones  in  south  edge  of  a  cleared  field,  at  722 
Daniel  Taylor's  house  1^  ch.  to  right,  at  760  a  cleared  field,  at 
780  a  heap  of  stones;  at  786  crossed  small  bronk,  runs  to  right 
at  790  another,  at  807  monument  of  stones  south  side  fence 
Jonathan  Dickinson's  field;  at  817  crossed  a  small  brook,  runs 
to  right  in  a  swamp,  at  947  a  black  oak  tree  on  top  of  a  high 
mountain,  in  all  962  chains,  46  links,  along  a  line  of  old  marked 
trees,  and  terminates  at  a  chestnut  oak  tree  on  north  side  of 
the  high  mountain  on  a  rock  25  links  S.  by  E.  from  where  the 
rock  makes  a  precipice  7  links  deep." 

North  Line.  "Begun  at  the  chesnut  oak  tree  and  run  N. 
86  deg.  E  formerly  N.  87  E;  at  13  chains  crossed  road  to  Fish- 
kill  on  east  side  of  which  we  made  a  monument  of  stones  round 
an  Alder  bush;  at  25  ch.  a  small  brook  running  to  right,  on  east 
side  of  swamp;  at  33  a  large  single  rock  in  the  line  on  west  de- 
clivity of  a  mountain,  13  links  high;  at  47  crossed  brook,  runs 
to  right;  at  60  made  monument  of  stones  on  west  side  of  hill 
and  edge  of  clear  field;  at  104  John  Russell's  house  4  ch.  to 
right;  at  121  crossed  small  brook,  runs  to  right;  at  123  another; 
at  164  Samuel  Barrads  house  4  ch.  to  left;  at  195  crossed  road; 
at  223  crossed  Campbells  brook',  runs  to  right;  at  242  crossed 
road,  in  all,  246,41  to  large  heap  of  stones  the  centre  of  which 
8  links  N,  63,30  E,  from  a  white  oak  tree  formerly  marked  with 
the  letters  P.R.  1753  and  have  now  caused  a  rock  to  be  marked 
with  the  letters  R.P.  distant  34  links';  being  the  N.W.  corner 
of  Lot  7  on  the  west  side  of  Bear  Hill." 

East  Line.  ' '  Began  at  the  corner  of  lot  7  at  the  heap  of 
stones  of  west  side  Bear  Hill,  and  ran  S.  9  deg.  W;  at  23.90 
'  made  a  monument  of  stones  on  west  side  of  road:  at  48  chains  in 
Campbell's  brook  on  north  side  made  a  monument  of  stones;  at 
49  Edward  Smith's  house  2  ch.  to  right;  at  64.14  two  black  oak 
trees,  three  stones  laid  between  them  now  grown  fast;  at  80  an 
old  monument  of  stones  4  1.  to  left;  at  103  David  Hill's  house, 
to  right;  at  140  made  a  monument  of  stones  on  S.  side  of  road 
to  FishkilP;  at  160.28  a  tree  on  top  of  mountain;  at  228.50  Benj. 

'This  is  the  brook  that  runs  by  the  railroad  station  at  Reynoldsville. 

'This  northeast  corner  of  lot  6  is  the  northwest  corner  of  the  land  of  Silas  Ab- 
bott at  Reynoldsville  station  in  town  of  Pawling  and  48  chains  north  of  where 
the  brook  crosses  the  road  south  of  station. 

^This  is  on  the  town  line  between  Kent  and  Patterson  about  50  rods  west  of  the 
school  house  in  District  No.  8,  Patterson. 


292  HISTOKY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Hatch's  house  to  right;  at  240  a  meadow;  at  290  John  Wilson's 
house'  5  ch.  to  right;  at  320.46  a  monument  of  stones  10  1.  east 
which  is  the  south  west  corner  of  Lot  7,  and  N.W.  corner  of 
Lot  8;  at  401.38  a  monument  on  N.W.side  of  road  at  403  Joshua 
Conklin's  house  4  ch.  to  left;  at  500  a  stake  in  Edward  Rice's 
field;  at  S27  crossed  the  east  end  of  Gilbert  Clapp's  house;  at 
529  crossed  road;  at  539'  crossed  Rowland's  mill  brook;  at  544 
a  bend  of  brook,  at  552  a  monument  of  stones  on  N.E.  side  of 
road;  at  562  the  east  end  of  Wm.  Merritt's  barn  the  remains  of 
an  old  house  40  links  to  right;  at  640.69  the  hickory  sapling  on 
S.  side  of  hill  corner  to  lots  8  and  9';  at  665  Justice  Sprage's  old 
house  1  ch.  17  L.  west'  at  670  crossed  small  brook,  runs  to  left; 
at  691  David  Vickery's  2  ch.  to  right;  at  748  a  tree;  at  784  a 
tree;  at  800  the  east  end  of  John  Haines  house;  at  803  stones  on 
jST.  side  of  road;  at  816  John  Smith's  house,  3  ch.  to  left;  at  824 
crossed  brook;  at  881  Rowland's  mill  brook;  at  882  a  road;  at 
974  the  north  side  of  the  east  branch  of  Croton  in  line  of  Cort- 
land Manor." 

South  Line.  "  Began  at  corner  and  went  S.  88  W. ;  at  5  2  ch. 
crossed  the  west  branch  of  Croton;  at  54  crossed  road;  at  114.72 
a  large  stone  set  in  the  ground  between  the  lots  of  Mr.  Andrew 
Johnston  and  Samuel  Bayard  on  the  Manor  of  Cortland  shown 
by  Mr.  Hackaliah  Brown  to  be  in  the  Manor  line  1  ch.  17  L.  to 
left;  at  178,50  or  great  brook,  runs  to  left  on  east  side  of  a 
boggy  meadow;  at  210  a  tree,  in  all  239.50  to  the  beginning  heap 
of  stones,  which  course  is  novF  S.  87  W.  formerly  due  west, 
along  a  line  of  old  marked  trees." 

The  lot  was  then  divided  into  16  lots;  two  field  books  and 
maps  were  made.  One  of  the  field  books  is  in  the  county 
clerk's  ofiice  in  Poughkeepsie,  and  one  of  the  maps  is  in  the 
ofiice  of  the  secretary  of  State;  where  the  others  are  no  one 
knows.  The  notice  of  the  division  and  the  time  when  the  ballot- 
ing for  the  lot  was  to  be  done  were  "advertised  in  Hugh  Gaine's 
Newspaper  for  six  weeks."      The  balloting  was  on  the  4th  day 

'This  is  where  the  house  of  Lewis  G.  Robinson  now  stands,  in  town  of  Kent. 

^All  south  of  the  537  chain  is  in  the  town  of  Carmel.  "  Rowlands  mill  brook  " 
is  the  middle  branch  of  Croton. 

Tor  location  of  this  corner  see  sketch  of  Southeast. 

^This  is  where  the  house  of  LeGrand  Hughson  stands,  south  of  where  the  New 
York  &  Northern  R.  R.  crosses  the  road  near  town  line. 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  293 

of  February,  1771,  "at  the  house  of  Samuel  Francis,  Inn 
keeper  in  the  city  of  New  York."  On  balloting  Margaret 
Ogilvie  drew  Lots  1,  5,  10,  14;  J^'athaniel  Philipse  drew  Lots  4, 
6,  12,  15;  Adolph  Philipse  drew  Lots  2,  8,  11,  13;  Frederick 
Philipse  drew  Lots  3,  7,  9,  16. 

In  the  year  1777  Nathaniel  Philipse  was  killed  at  the  Battle 
of  Germantown,  and  his  share  fell  to  his  eldest  brother,  Adolph 
Philipse.  Adolph  Philipse  died  June  8th,  1785,  leaving  no 
children,  and  by  his  will  left  his  share  to  his  brother,  Frederick 
Philipse,  during  his  life  and  then  to  go  to  his  daughter,  Mary 
Philipse,  who  afterward  married  Samuel  Gouverneur.  Mar- 
garet Ogilvie  died  in  1807,  and  her  share  went  to  Frederick 
Philipse,  her  only  surviving  child.  Thus  the  whole  of  the 
original  lot  became  the  property  of  Frederick  Philipse.  In 
1811  he  released  to  his  daughter,  Mary  Gouverneur,  all  his  life 
interesi  in  the  share  of  his  brother  Adolph,  and  thus  Samuel 
and  Mary  Gouverneur  became  the  owners  of  one  half  the  lot 
and  Frederick  Philipse  owned  the  other  half.  These  parties, 
who  had  previously  leased  their  farms  to  tenants,  began  to  sell 
about  the  year  1811,  and  the  deeds  given  by  them  would  make 
a  volume  of  themselves,  as  all  the  titles  to  land  in  Lots  6,  8  and 
2,  of  the  original  Philipse  Patent,  go  back  to  them,  except  such 
small  tracts  as  had  been  previously  sold  by  Philip  Philipse  and 
Margaret  Ogilvie. 

The  original  bill  for  lawyer's  services  in  the  partitions  is  still 
preserved  and  is  given  as  a  curiosity. 

"  The  Proprietors  of  Lot  No.  6  of  Philipse  Patent  in  Dutchess 
County. 

"  To  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Dr. 

"  To  Counsil  in  devising  the  Mode  of  Proceeding  on 

the  Partition  Act £19    0 

"  To  long  Advertisement  of  Adolphe  Philipse,  draft 

&  copy 1  16    0 

"  Notiiicdtion    of    appointment    of    commissioners 

draft  and  copy , 

"  Draft  and  copy  notice  of  balloting  .... 
"  Minute  of  all  the  Commissioner's  proceeding  from 

the  beginning  to  the  conclusion    .... 
"  2  fair  copies  entered  in  Books  to  be  tiled  in  the 

Clerk's  office 

"  Attendance  on  balloting  and  devising  the  mode    . 


0  12 

1  9 

0 
0 

2  17 

0 

2  17 
1  10 

0 
0 

£12  00 

0 

5) 


294  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  New  York,  24  Oct.,  1785,  Rec'd  the  contents  in  full. 

"  Peter  Van  Schaack, 

village  of  oarmel. 

Prior  to  the  Revolution  and  for  some  years  later  Carmel,  as  a 
village,  had  no  existence.  All  the  land  in  the  vicinity  was  held 
in  large  farms  by  tenants  who  paid  their  yearly  rents  to  the 
agent  of  the  Philipse  family  or  to  the  landlord  himself  when 
he  came  to  his  estate.  All  the  land  on  the  west  side  of  Lake 
G-leneida  or  Shaw's  Pond,  as  it  was  then  known,  was  part  of 
Lot  No.  8  in  the  division  of  the  original  Lot  No.  6,  and  fell  to 
Adolph  Philipse,  and  from  him  to  his  neice,  Mary  Gouverneur. 
David  Myrrick  had  been  a  tenant  of  a  farm  on  this  tract  from  the 
time  before  the  Revolution,  and  continued  so  till  September  13th, 
1811,  when  Samuel  Grouverneur  and  his  wife  sold  him  the  farm  of 
127  acres,  bounded  north  by  the  outlet  of  Shaw's  Pond,  or  Mill 
Brook,  and  including  all  the  west  shore  of  the  pond  as  far 
south  as  the  Belden  farm,  and  here  he  lived  and  died,  and  his 
old  house  is  still  standing  on  the  homestead  of  Mr.  Chauncey 
Weeks,  the  present  owner  of  the  farm.  The  farm  of  Amos 
Belden  included  all  the  shore  of  the  lake  from  the  David  Myr- 
rick farm  to  the  south  end  of  the  lake,  and  extended  west  to 
Croton  River,  west  branch,  and  south  to  the  farm  of  Caleb 
Hazen,  and  included  316  acres  of  land.  This  farm  had  also  been 
held  by  lease  from  a  period  before  1762,  and  was  sold  to  Amos 
Belden  by  Frederick  Philipse,  December  16th,  1804'.  The  land 
at  the  south  end  of  the  pond  was  a  farm  originally  held  by 

'  Thomas  Belden  came  to  this  part  of  the  country  from  Norwalk,  Coim. ,  and 
was  agent  for  the  Philipse  family,  before  the  Revolution.  His  nephew,  Amos 
Belden,  was  born  July  13th,  1764,  died  May  4th,  1830,  and  was  buried  in  the  old 
Gilead  burying  ground.  He  was  agent  or  land  steward  for  Frederick  Philipse 
and  transacted  most  of  his  business  in  renting  and  selling  land.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Isaacs.  Their  children  were;  Julia,  wife  of  Hooker  St.  John;  Charles, 
born  March  10th,  1793,  died  February  22d,  1858;  George,  born  March  13th,  1795, 
died  January  14th,  1855:  Sally,  wife  of  Rev.  William  Mitchell;  Charlotte; Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  Edwin  Crosby,  of  Croton  Falls;  Thomas,  born  1802,  died  in  Mexico 
in  1834;  John,  born  1805,  died  1882;  Frederick,  born  1807,  died  in  Texas  in  1867; 
Benjamin  J. ,  born  1809,  died  in  New  York  in  1858. 

George  Belden  married  Sophia  L.  Miles,  and  their  children  are:  Julia  L.,  wife 
of  Frederick  S.  Talmadge,  and  Laura,  wife  of  Dudley  Field,  both  of  New  York. 

Charles  Belden  married  Helen,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  Miles.  He  had  two 
children:  Helen  E.,  who  died  young;  and  George  Mortimer  Belden,  born  Novem- 
ber 3d,  1826,  died  October  7th,  1873,  married  Isabella,  daughter  of  Levi  Best,  who 
survives  him. 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  295 

John  Myriick  as  tenant  in  1766.  It  was  subsequentlj^  held  by- 
other  persons  and  was  sold  by  Frederick  Philipse  to  William 
H.  Seeley,'May  25th,  1815.  It  was  then  described  as  "  begin- 
ning at  the  northeast  corner  of  Isaac  Myrrick's  land,  and  run- 
ning east  along  the  pond  17  chains  24  links,  to  land  of  John 
Ellis,  then  along  the  same  S.  78  degrees  E,  1  chain  85  links, 
then  south  17  chains  to  a  chestnut  near  Horse  pound  road; 
thence  along  the  road  to  opposite  Capt.  Philipse  house,  and 
then  along  the  road  to  nearly  opposite  Fletcher  Hopkin's 
house,"  containing  107  acres.  All  the  land  on  the  east  side  of 
Shaw's  Pond,  from  the  James  Dickinson  farm  to  where  the 
Baptist  Church  now  stands  and  including  all  the  present  village 
of  Carmel,  was  in  1766  held  as  a  farm  by  Silas  Washburn.  This 
was,  however,  divided  into  smaller  lots  and  owned  by  various 
persons  at  the  beginning  of  the  century. 

Judge  Edward  Smith,  in  a  conversation  with  Charles  H.  Lud- 
ington,  December  25th,  1854,  related  several  interesting  remin- 
iscences. Tlie  Judge  was  then  in  his  84th  year  but  his  memory 
was  unimpaired.  In  this  conversation  he  slated  that  he  re- 
membered many  incidents  of  the  Revolution  and  was  thirteen 
years  old  at  its  close.  He  recollected  seeing  Gen.  Washington 
when  marching  through  the  country  with  his  army,  and  saw 
him  pass  "where  John  Fowler  now  lives."  '  Within  his  recol- 
lection there  were  only  three  houses  where  Carmel  now  is.  One 
was  on  the  east  side  of  the  street,  and  on  the  north  corner  of 
the  road  running  east.  This  was  the  house  of  Samuel  Wash- 
burn, and  is  marked  on  Erskine's  military  map,  made  in  1780. 
This  place  was  occupied  by  David  Kelley  in  1854,  and  is  now 
owned  by  Lewis  Ga  Nun.  Another  house  stood  where  Smalley's 
Hotel  now  stands,  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  and  about  ten 
rods  north  of  the  road  running  to  the  lake.  Elder  Nathan  Cole 
lived  there  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  Col.  Thomas  Taylor 
kept  a  store  there  just  before  it  was  demolished.  Tanner's 
Hotel  stood  there  in  1854.  The  third  house  was  a  Jog  house, 
and  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  about  ten  rods  south 
of  the  Methodist  church  on  the  opposite  side.  Charles  Knox 
was  living  there  in  1854,  at  the  time  of  the  conversation. 

There  was  another  house  standing  on  the  north  side  of  the 

'  John  Fowler  was  son  of  Dea.  Solomon  Fowler.  His  house  was  on  the  road 
close  to  the  west  line  of  Patterson,  and  now  owned  by  heirs  of  John  Henion. 
This  was  the  homestead  of  Dea.  Solomon  Fowler. 


296  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

road  running  east  from  the  village.  This  house  was  the  house 
of  Joshua  Myrrick  during  the  Kevolution.  It  was  torn  down 
many  years  ago  by  Ebenezer  Kelley,  Esq.,  to  make  room  for 
the  mansion  now  owned  by  his  son,.  Thomas  Kelley.  In  1815 
Stephen  Swift  owned  a  tract  at  the  south  end  of  the  village. 
This  was  said  to  be  bounded  on  the  south  "by  Frederick 
Philipse  CarmeJ  town  farm."  This  tract  began  on  the  south 
line  of  the  present  school  house  lot  and  ran  north  along  the 
pond  10  chains  and  86  links.  It  extended  east  far  enough  to 
include  twenty-five  acres.  Next  north  of  Stephen  Swift  along 
the  pond  was  the  land  of  James  Mead.  In  1815  "Stephen 
Swift  and  wife  Katy"  sold  to  Judah  Kelley,  Abraham  Everett 
and  Beverly  Smith,  trustees  of  School  District  No.  5,  a  lot  "  Be- 
ginning on  the  line  between  said  Swift  and  Frederick  Philipse, 
and  thence  along  the  wall  by  the  road  50  feet;  then  east  50  feet; 
thence  along  Swift's  land  50  feet;  thence  west  along  Philipse 
50  feet,  containing  9i  rods  more  or  less."  This  was  the  old 
school  house  lot  and  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  at  the 
north  point  of  the  park,  directly  opposite  the  present  school 
building.  The  old  school  house  stood  on  that  site  till  about 
thirty  years  ago,  when  it  was  moved  away,  and  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time  used  as  a  tenement  house  on  the  premises  of  Miss 
Charlotte  Hopkins.  A  second  school  building  was  then  erected 
on  the  west  side  of  the  road  just  north  of  the  present  one;  this 
remained  till  1880  when  the  new  school  house  was  built.  It  was 
then  removed  and  now,  degraded  from  its  former  use,  does  duty 
as  a  lager  beer  saloon  opposite  the  railroad  station. 

At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  the  principal  stopping  place 
for  travellers  was  Samuel  Washburn's  tavern,  which  stood,  as 
stated  before,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  running  east  from 
the  village.  This  was  the  only  inn  for  a  long  distance,  the  next 
nearest  being  John  McLean's  tavern,  which  stood  on  the  road 
to  Lake  Mahopac,  where  the  house  of  the  late  Townsend  Secor 
now  stands.  "  Conklin's  tavern"  is  marked  on  Erskine's  map 
as  being  on  the  road  to  Patterson,  some  three  miles  from  Car- 
mel.  There  were  not  many  houses  in  the  village  at  the  time 
when  the  county  buildings  were  erected,  but  the  business  inci- 
dent to  the  county  seat  caused  the  population  to  increase  and 
the  village  has  had  a  healthy  growth  ever  since.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  this  century  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  street, 
from  the  road  south  to  a  point  below  the  Methodist  Church, 


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TOWN   OF   OAKMEL.  297 

was  owned  by  Gen.  James  Townsend.  This  was  sold  by  him  to 
his  son-in-law,  Dr.  Robert  Weeks,  who  built  a  hotel  on  the  cor- 
ner opposite  the  old  Washburn  House,  and  this  was  his  home 
till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  May  14th,  1816,  at 
the  early  age  of  44.  Dr.  Weeks  was  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  Putnam  county,  and 
gave  the  land  where  the  Court  House  and  county  clerk's  office 
now  stand.  He  came  to  Carmel  from  Westchester  county,  prac- 
ticed his  profession  for  twenty  years  and  was  one  of  the  promi- 
nent men  'of  the  county.  The  hotel  and  land  adjoining  were 
sold  to  Lewis  Ludington  who  conducted  the  business,  and  made 
it  a  famous  resort  for  manj'^  years.  It  was  torn  down  about 
thirty  years  ago,  and  the  elegant  residence  of  the  Misses  Lud- 
ington was  erected  in  its  place. 

The  Sraalley  House  stands  on  the  site  of  the  old  home  of 
Elder  Nathan  Cole.  After  his  death  it  was  owned  by  Stephen 
Waring  who  kept  a  store.  The  hotel  was  built  by  Col.  Thomas 
Taylor,  who  was  born  in  Jamaica,  Long  Island,  April  12th,  1784. 
He  came  to  Carmel  and  established  a  small  hat  factory  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town.  He  built  the  hotel  about  1833.  Dur- 
ing his  life  he  was  a  well  known  and  prominent  citizen,  and  was 
elected  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  held  the  office  of 
sheriJQF.  He  died  August  1st,  1865,  at  the  age  of  eighty.  After 
his  death  it  was  purchased  by  James  J.  Smalley,  from  whom  it 
derived  its  present  name.  Few  citizens  enjoyed  a  greater  popu- 
larity. He  was  twice  elected  member  of  Assembly,  and  was  also 
sheriff  of  the  county  and  county  treasurer.  He  died  in  1867, 
and  the  place  passed  into  the  hands  of  John  Cornish,  by  whose 
heirs  it  is  now  owned. 

The  Gleneida  House  was  established  as  a  hotel  by  David 
Lockwood  about  1850,  and  was  conducted  by  him  till  the  time 
of  his  death.  Since  then  it  has  been  under  the  management  of 
the  present  proprietor,  David  Lockwood,  jr.,  and  has  a  well 
merited  reputation  for  excellence. 

Lake  Gleneida. — This  beautiful  lake,  which  is  one  of  the 
principal  beauties  of  the  landscape,  was  in  early  days  known 
as  Shaw's  Pond,  from  Timothy  Shaw,  who  was  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  in  the  town.  This  name,  though  of  time  hon- 
ored antiquity,  was  too  plain  and  unpoetical  to  suit  the  fastid- 
ious taste  of  modern  times.  Accordingly  a  meeting  was  held 
on  the  evening  of  December  21st,  1852,  for  the  purpose  of  be- 


298  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

stowing  a  new  name  upon  what  was  justly  considered  the  beauty 
of  Carmel.  This  meeting  was  duly  orgaijized  with  Reuben  D. 
Barnum  as  chairman,  and  Edward  Crosby,  clerk.  A  committee, 
consisting  of  William  J.  Blake,  Noel  E.  Waring,  James  Ray- 
mond, J.  D.  Little  and  Samuel  Washburn,  was  appointed  to 
select  an  appropriate  title.  Several  names  were  proposed,  such 
as  Como,  Wassaic,  Sagamore  and  Wicope,  while  one  man,  with 
Scripture  in  his  mind,  urged  the  name  of  Tiberias  as  being  a 
very  appropriate  addition  to  the  already  well  established  name 
of  Carmel.  Rev.  Henry  G.  Livingston,  who  was  then  in  Phila- 
delphia, wrote  a  letter  in  which  he  proposed  the  name  of 
Gleneida.  This  was  adopted  by  acclamation,  and  will  doubt- 
less continue  for  all  time  to  come.  This  beautiful  sheet  of 
water  covers  an  area  of  168  acres,  and  its  depth  exceeds  100 
feet  in  some  places.  Many  years  ago  on  the  outlet  of  this  lake 
there  was  a  mill,  which  was  owned  by  Daniel  H.  Cole,  who 
bought  the  water  right  from  the  Philipse  family.  It  descended 
to  his  son,  Tillott  Cole,  who  leased  the  right  to  draw  water 
from  the  lake,  to  the  city  of  New  York.  The  old  mill,  of  which 
some  relics  yet  remain,  .was  built  more  than  a  hundred  years 
ago. 

At  the  meeting  mentioned  above  the  name  of  Lake  Sagamore 
was  given  to  Bean's  Pond  in  Kent,  while  Lake  Gilead  received 
its  present  name  in  place  of  Crosby's  Pond,  by  which  name  it 
was  formerly  known. 

Carmel  Collegiate  Institute  and  the  Drew  Ladies'  Sem- 
inary.— The  credit  of  being  the  founder  of  the  Carmel  Collegiate 
Institute  is  doubtless  due  to  James  Raymond,  whose  interest 
in  its  welfare  continued  till  the  day  of  his  death.  A  company 
including  many  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  town,  sub- 
scribers for  stock  in  the  enterprise,  held  a  meeting  at  the  Court 
House,  August  23d,  1848,  and  elected  Leonard  K.  Everett, 
Samuel  Washburn,  David  Merritt,  Samuel  Myrrick,  James 
Raymond,  Azor  B.  Crane,  Daniel  D.  Travis,  Joseph  E.  M. 
Hobby,  Eli  Kelley,  Jonathan  Cole,  Benjamin  Bailey,  Enos 
Hazen,  Henry  G.  Livingston,  Lewis  Doane  and  Harman  R. 
Stephens,  trustees  of  an  "Association  for  building  and  estab- 
lishing a  seminary  of  learning  in  or  near  the  village  of  Carmel." 
The  site  selected  for  the  building  is  a  portion  of  the  old 
James  Dickinson  farm  which  was  then  owned  by  Elisha  Cole, 
who  sold  to  the  trustees  above  named  five  acres  of  land,  Sep- 


TOWN   OF  CABMEL.  299 

tember4th,  1848,  for  $1,000.  The  work  was  soon  commenced 
and  the  building  was  raised  October  30th,  1849,  upon  which 
occasion  Rev.  Epenetiis  Benedict,  the  well  known  minister  and 
teacher  of  Patterson,  delivered  an  address.  The  raising  was 
finished  November  5th,  the  last  "bent"  being  elevated  in  its 
place  by  the  ladies  of  the  village  with  the  help  of  pulleys. 
Before  the  building  was  finished  a  sad  accident  occurred. 
Theod-ore  Howes,  a  young  man  of  25,  fell  from  a  scaffold  and 
was  killed  September  10th,  1850.  The  cost  of  the  edifice  was 
much  larger  than  was  expected,  and  there  being  some  diffi- 
culty in  procuring  sufficient  funds,  the  trustees  procured  the 
passage  of  a  special  Act  of  Legislature,  April  10th,  1850,  by 
which  the  controller  was  authorized  to  loan  to  the  county  of 
Putnam  the  sum  of  $6,000,  and  the  Board  of  Supervisors  were 
authorized  at  their  discretion  to  loan  that  sum  to  the  Carmel 
Collegiate  Institute,  upon  receiving  sufficient  security.  The 
supervisors,  at  a  meeting  held  in  Ma^^  1850,  declined  to  accept 
the  loan  and  incur  the  responsibility,  and  this  source  of  assist- 
ance failed.  The  amount  necessary  to  complete  the  work  was 
furnished  by  Mr.  James  Raymond,  and  the  institute  was  opened 
September  16th,  1851,/with  Rev.  S.  Gr.  Manwarring,  as  prin- 
cipal. By  his  untimely  death,  which  occurred  in  1852,  the  in- 
stitution met  with  a  severe  loss.  By  an  informal  agreement  be- 
tween the  stockholders  it  was  resolved  that  the  whole  establish- 
ment should  be  transferred  to  Mr.  Raymond  upon  his  supply- 
ing the  means  to  finish  the  building.  No  deed  was  given,  and 
after  the  death  of  Mr.   Raymond,   which  occurred  March  23d, 

1854,  a  suit  was  begun  which  resulted  in  a  sheriff's  deed  being 
given  for  the  premises  to  Mrs.  Julia  Raymond,  December  4th, 

1855,  and  it  was  transferred  by  her  to  her  daughters,  Ada 
Weeks,  Sarah  R.  Livingston  and  Mary  E.  Drake,  October  1st, 
1858. 

These  parties  sold  the  institute  to  Daniel  Drew,  May  4th, 
1866,  for  $25,000.  This  was  the  first  step  in  a  great  educational 
enterprise  contemplated  at  that  time  by  Mr.  Drew  in  his  native 
town,  viz.,  the  founding  and  endowment  of  a  seminary  for  both 
sexes,  with  a  collegiate  department  for  ladies  and  also  of  a 
theological  seminary,  the  latter  being  afterward  located  at 
Madison,  N.  J. 

Mr.  Drew  immediately  placed  Prof.  George  Crosby  Smith  in 
charge  of  the  institute,  with  instructions  to  make  such  changes 


300 


HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 


and.  improvements  as  might  be  desirable.  The  buildings  were 
thoroughly  repaired,  fitted  for  steam  and  gas,  and  refnrnished 
throughout,  and  supplied  with  maps,  charts,  globes,  philo- 
sophical and  chemical  apparatus,  and  a  very  choice  library  of 
3,000  volumes.  The  grounds,  which  are  ample,  were  beautified 
and  means  procured  ior  supplying  an  abundance  of  pure  water 
from  the  lake.  The  school  was  opened  September  30th,  1866, 
under  the  title  of  the  Drew  Ladies'  Seminary,  with  a  full  board 


DREW  LADIES    SEMINARY.— FRONT  VIEW. 


of  teachers,  and  with  thorough  courses  of  study,  elementary, 
academic  and  collegiate,  and  with  well  equipped  departments 
of  art  and  music. 

An  Act  "To  incorporate  the  Drew  Seminary  and  Female 
College  "  was  passed  April  23d,  1866,  by  which  Daniel  Drew  and 
others  were  constituted  a  body  corporate  with  full  powers  to 
establish  the  college.  This  corporation  was  organized  March  13th, 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL. 


301 


1867,  by  the  election  of  Bishop  Edmund  S.  Janes,  president; 
Ambrose  Ryder,  secretary;  Henry  J.  Baker,  treasurer;  and  an 
executive  committee;  but,  owing  to  the  incompleteness  of  Mr. 
Drew's  plans  the  institution  did  not  then,  and  has  not  since, 
come  under  their  supervision  and  control. 

Subsequently,  however,  it  was  conveyed  in  trust  to  Mr.  Daniel 
D.  Chamberlain  to  hold  for  the  purposes  of  the  'school,  and 
under  an  obligation  to  deed  it  "in  fee "  to  the  board  of  corpo- 
rators when  they  were  ready  to  receive  it,  and  in  this  condition 
it  remains  at  the  present  time,  and  is  in  charge  of  Prof.  Smith, 
who  has  had  the  entire  administration  of  its  affairs  froTn  the 
beginning. 

The  buildings  are  located  on  an  eminence  overlooking  the 
village,    and   commanding   a  fine   prospect  in   all   directions. 


SS!'''*i?i3!'>^  .*<?iCr%5iK',  v/^ift*-^-/ 


'V^* 


DHEW  LADIES'   SEMmABY. — REAR  VIEW. 


and  are  justly  deemed  the  pride  and  ornament  of  the  vil- 
lage. 

As  an  institution  of  learning  the  seminary  holds  an  honorable 
position  among  the  female  colleges  of  the  State,  and  under  its 
present  principal  it  exerts  'a  wide  spread  influence  for  good. 
For  beauty  and  healthfulness  of  location  it  is  unsurpassed  and 
presents  every  attraction  that  can  render  an  educational  home 
delightful. 

In  1872  preparations  for  erecting  a  new  building  for  the 
' '  Drew  Seminary  and  Female  College  ' '  were  made  on  a  very 
extensive  scale.  The  edifice,  which  was  to  be  "400  feet  in 
length  and  surmounted  by  a  tower  one  hundred  and  thirty-five 
high,"  was  intended  to  replace  the  building  now  in  existence. 


302  HISTORY   OF   PTJTNAM   COUNTY. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1872,  the  ground  was  broken  "  by- 
Master  Henry  D.  Clapp  in  the  name  of  his  grandfather,"  the 
ceremony  being  accompanied  with  suitable  religious  exercises, 
and  public  expectation  was  raised  to  the  highest  point  in  an- 
ticipation of  the  speedy  completion  of  an  institution  which 
would  be  monumental  in  character  and  of  lasting  benefit  to 
the  entire  community.  The  foundations  of  the  building  (which 
was  to  be  located  south  of  the  present  seminary)  were  scarcely 
laid  when  the  financial  reverses  which  overtook  its  generous 
founder  put  a  stop  to  all  farther  proceedings  and  the  enter- 
prise was  never  carried  to  completion.  Some  of  the  stones 
prepared  for  the  building  were  used  for  the  new  county  clerk's 
office. 

Caemel  Literary  Union. — In  1868  the  want  of  a  public 
library  was  felt  in  the  village  of  Carmel,  and  steps  were  taken 
to  supply  it.  The  Carmel  Library  Association  was  formed,  to 
which  nearly  all  the  families  of  the  vicinity  subscribed.  The 
president  of  the  association  was  Rev.  William  S.  Clapp,  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  church;  James  D.  Little  was  the  secretary;  Gril- 
bert  T.  Ludington,  treasurer;  Herman  Best,  librarian;  and  G. 
Mortimer  Belden,  William  S.  Clapp,  Ambrose  Ryder,  Jonathan 
Cole,  Byron  E.  Hazen,  Noble  P.  Barnes,  James  D.  Little  and 
J.  Addison  Fowler,  directors.  A  library  of  over  nine  hundred 
volumes  was  formed  and  put  into  circulation,  many  of  the  books 
having  been  contributed  by  members  who  took  more  than  an 
ordinary  interest  in  its  success.  Among  the  chief  donors  were 
Daniel  D.  Chamberlain  and  Gr.  Mortimer  Belden.  The  payment 
of  five  dollars  to  the  treasurer  constituted  a  life  membership, 
which  was  taxed  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  year;  and  persons 
not  members  of  the  association  could  obtain  its  privileges,  in  the 
discretion  of  the  librarian,  upon  making  payments  to  him  at 
the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  quarter.  The  association  established 
a  reading  room  at  the  residence  of  the  librarian,  which  was  open 
every  day  except  Sundays  and  holidays,  and  for  a  time  was 
well  patronized.  After  the  first  year,  however,  interest  waned, 
the  receipts  failed  to  meet  expenditures,  a  debt  of  some  size 
accumulated,  and  no  attempt  to  jperpetuate  it  was  made.  The 
books  of  the  library  were  removed  to  the  vestibule  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  where  they  were  under  the  charge  of  no  particular 
officer,  and  as  no  one  was  responsible  for  them  a  large  propor- 
tion became  scattered  amongst  the  members  of  the  society,  and 


TOWK   OF   CAKMEL.  303 

were  lost  or  destroyed.     After  a  few  years  the  remnant  of  them 
was  again  removed  to  the  residence  of  Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp. 

In  1881,  they  were  transferred  by  Mr.  Clapp  and  his  son  to 
the  Literary  Union,  of  Carmel,  New  York,  a  society  of  young 
people,  and  through  their  care  and  efforts  a  public  library  has 
been  re-established. 

The  Literary  Union,  a  literary  and  social  organization,  was 
formed  by  a  party  of  young  ladies  and  gentlemen  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp,  February  23d,  1881.  The  original 
members  were  Rev.  Matthew  A.  Bailey,  Rev.  J.  M.  Yeager, 
Rev.  D.  D.  Sahler,  Frank  H.  Greene,  William  H.  Foster,  Henry 
D.  Clapp,  Gilbert  R.  Livingston,  Edward  J.  Wilson,  Professor 
S.  0.  Spencer,  Emma  J.  Wood,  Emma  J.  Foster,  Marilla  C. 
Foster,  Bessie  C.  Foster,  Ida  A.  Tarner,  Carrie  A.  Trowbridge, 
Georgia  E.  Ludington,  EmmaC.  Miller  and  Anna  C.  Little,  and  to 
this  list  many  other  names  were  soon  added.  The  Rev.  Matthew 
A.  Bailey,  formerly  of  the  town  of  Kent,  now  of  St.  Johnland, 
L.  I.,  was  the  first  president  of  the  society,  and  his  successors 
have  been  Clayton  Ryder,  Emma  J.  Foster,  Professor  iS.  0. 
Spencer,  Frank  H.  Greene,  Emma  J.  Wood,  James  A.  Foshay, 
Edward  J.  Wilson,  Ottis  H.  Cole,  Henry  D.  Clapp  and  Edwin 
H.   Abrams. 

In  March,  1882,  the  society  was  incorporated  under  the  laws 
of  the  State,  and  has  since  continued  to  flourish. 

Railroad. — Previous  to  the  building  of  the  New  York  and 
Northern  Railroad,  the  principal  mode  of  communication  with 
the  outside  world  was  by  stages  which  ran  from  Carmel  to 
Croton  Falls  where  they  connected  with  the  Harlem  Railroad. 

The  project  of  a  more  direct  communication  by  means  of  a 
railroad  was  long  agitated,  and  in  1870  the  scheme  seemed  likely 
to  be  fulfilled.  The  13th  of  February  was  a  great  day  for  Car  - 
mel,  for  on  that  day  ground  was  broken  for  the  new  railroad. 
This  ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  William  S.  Clapp, 
who  threw  the  first  shovel  full  of  earth.  A  large  concourse  of 
people  were  present  and  the  usual  speeches  were  delivered.  But 
Carmel  had  to  wait  many  years  before  the  road  was  completed 
for  the  work  was  hindered  by  constant  delays.  The  first  train 
from  Carmel  was  on  December  23d,  1 880,  and  six  passengers 
and  thirty-nine  cans  of  milk  were  the  first  freight.  The  road 
was  finished  to  Brewster  in  February,  1881.  The  bridge  over 
the  railroad,  at  the  Carmel  depot,  was  built  in   October,  1871, 


304  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTr. 

many  years  before  the  road  was  completed.  The  road  does  a 
large  business  and  is  under  the  able  management  of  Frank  S. 
Gannon,  general  superintendent. 

Putnam  County  National  Bank. — The  Putnam  County 
National  Bank,  located  at  Carmel,  N.  Y.,  was  organized  March 
14th,  1865,  being  the  nine  hundred  and  seventy- sixth  bank  to 
organize  under  the  National  Banking  Act,  the  controller  of 
the  currency  writing:  "I  have  doubted  the  expediency  of  sanc- 
tioning the  organization  of  another  bank  in  New  York  (State) 
but  have  concluded  on  the  jjapers  furnished  to  make  your  ap- 
plication an  exception." 

The  Bank  of  Commerce,  then  doing  business  at  Carmel,  was 
entitled  to  organize  under  the  national  system,  to  the  exclusion 
of  any  other  bank  in  the  same  place.  Through  successful  ne- 
gotiations, this  privilege  was  transferred  to  the  new  bank. 

The  establishment  of  the  bank  was  mainly  due  to  the  enter 
prise  of  George  Ludington,  who  was  apj^ointed  its  cashier  and 
directed  its  management  till  his  death. 

The  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  $100,000  and  has  remained 
unchanged.  A  surplus  of  $20,000  has  been  added  from  the 
earnings,  while  the  dividends  paid  have  more  than  equaled  the 
capital  and  surplus,  and  the  bank  is  now  steadily  paying  its 
stockholders  six  per  cent,  per  annum. 

The  first  presidennt  was  G.  Mortimer  Belden,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded, January  12th,  1869,  by  Sylvester  Mabie,  who  held  the 
office  till  his  death,  January  1st,  1886,  and  was  succeeded  by  the 
present  incumbent,  Ambrose  Ryder.  Prominent  among  the  of- 
ficers were  Joseph  W.  Travis,  who  held  the  office  of  vice  president, 
from  January,  1874,  until  his  death,  August  12th,  1881,  and 
Gilbert  T.  Ludington,  who  held  the  office  of  assistant  cashier 
during  the  first  eleven  years  of  the  bank's  existence. 

Ambrose  Ryder  succeeded  George  Ludington  as  cashier,  and 
was  in  turn  succeed  by  Hillyer  Ryder,  the  present  occupant  of 
the  office.  The  bank  is  owned  by  forty-five  shareholders,  of 
whom  many  are  farmers. 

It  has  never  failed  to  meet  its  obligations,  though  daring  the 
panic  of  1837,  it  had  an  amount  on  deposit  greater  than  half  its 
capital  with  the  Fourth  National  Bank,  of  New  York,  which 
remained  a  number  of  days  with  closed  doors.  The  present 
vice  president  is  Anthony  A.  Akin,  of  Patterson.  The  directory 
consists  of  seven  members  as  follows:  Ambrose  Ryder,  A.   A. 


53 

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TOWN    OF   CARMEL.  305 

Akin,  David  Kent,  Henry  Mabie,  Coleman  R.  Barrett,  S.  Palmer 
and  Henry  F.  Miller. 

George  Ludington,  son  of  Frederick  and  great-grandson  of 
Col.  Henry  Ludington  of  Revolutionary  fame,  was  born  at  Lad- 
ingtonville,  in  Kent,  June  11th,  1814.  He  commenced  business 
as  a  merchant  with  his  father  at  Ludington  ville.  In  1856  he  as- 
sisted in  organizing  the  Bank  of  Kent  of  which  he  became  cashier. 
In  1865  he  removed  to  Carmel  and  organized  the  Putnam  County 
National  Bank.  He  was  for  a  time  commissioner  of  loans.  He 
died  April  11th,  1874.  He  was  married,  October  10th,  1843,  to 
Emeline  C.  Travis  of  Carmel.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them 
of  whom  four  are  living:  Gilbert  T.,  of  Carmel,  who  was  for 
eleven  years  assistant  cashier  of  Putnam  County  National 
Bank;  Emma  P.,  married  to  Rev.  Walter  Chadwick;  T.  Edward, 
of  St.  Paul,  Minn.;  and  Georgia  E.,  living  at  home. 

Putnam  County  Coubier. — According  to  the  "  Gazetteer  of 
New  York,"  a  newspaper  was  published  in  Carmel  in  1814,  but 
of  this  we  have  no  further  evidence.  The  name  was  the  "  Put- 
nam Republican"  and  it  was  printed  by  Thomas  Smith. 

The  "Putnam  Democrat"  was  established  by  William  H. 
Sloat,  in  1841.  It  afterward  passed  into  the  hands  of  Elijah 
Yerks.  James  D.  Little  became  editor  subsequently.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1849,  the  name  was  changed  to  "Democrat  Courier." 

January  10th,  1852,  James  D.  Little  purchased  the  paper  and 
changed  the  name  to  "Putnam  County  Courier."  Mr.  Little 
sold  the  paper  to  Charles  Benedict,  in  1860.  He  transferred  it 
to  B.  F.  Armstrong,  and  in  1864,  it  came  back  into  the  posses- 
sion of  Mr.  Little,  who  sold  it  to  J.  J.  McNally,  in  1876.  It 
was  again  in  possession  of  Mr.  Little,  in  1879,  and  he  remained 
the  editor  and  proprietor  till  the  time  of  his  death  in  1883.  From 
that  time  until  May  1st,  1885,  it  was  edited  by  Miss  Annie  C. 
Little,  his  daughter. 

Mrs.  J.  D.  Little  has  continued  to  edit  it  since  her  daughter's 
retirement.  Mrs.  Little  is  a  sister  of  Hon.  George  M.  Beebe,  of 
Sullivan  county,  ex-governor  of  Kansas,  ex-member  of  Congress 
and  judge  of  Court  of  Claims  of  New  York. 

Putnam  County  Republican. — This  Republican  journal 
was  founded  by  William  J.  Blake,  June  12th,  1858,  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Carmel.  It  has  always  been  a  Republican  organ  of  the 
party,  and  was  the  first  Republican  paper  printed  and  published 
in  Putnam  county.  When  founded  in  1858,  its  title  was  "  Put- 
so 


306  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

nam  Free  Press,"  and  it  was  continued  under  that  name  until 
October,  1868,  when  its  editor,  publisher  and  proprietor  sold  it 
to  Mr.  A.  J.  Hicks,  who  changed  its  name  to  "The  Gleneida 
Monitor,"  andsubsequenty  to  '' The  Putnam  County  Monitor," 
by  which  name  he  continued  to  publish  it  until  February  14th, 
1880,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Miss  Ida  M.  Blake,  who  changed 
the  name  to  "  Putnam  County  Republican,"  by  which  name  it 
has  since  been  published. 

Its  first  editor,  publisher  and  proprietor,  William  J.  Blake, 
since  February,  1880,  has  been  its  senior  editor,  and  his  oldest 
daughter,  Ida  M.,  from  the  above  date  has  been  its  publisher, 
proprietor  and  junior  editor. 

The  Gilead  Church. — The  Presbyterian  church  in  Carmel 
is  the  direct  descendant  and  successor  of  the  old  Congregational 
church  established  at  the  time  of  the  earliest  settlement,  and 
was,  together  with  the  church  in  Southeast,  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent.  The  two  societies  were  distinguished 
as  the  "  Eastern  and  Western  Societies  in  Philipse  Precinct." 
The  Eastern  Society  built  a  log  church  about  a  mile  east  of 
Dykeman's  Station,  the  exact  location  of  which  is  fully  de- 
scribed in  the  sketches  of  Southeast  Church.  The  two  societies 
were  generally  known  in  the  olden  time  as  the  "Church  at 
Philippi."  The  Western  Society  also  built  a  log  church  a;t  the 
northwest  corner  of  what  was  afterward  Lot  9  of  the  Philipse 
Patent.  This  meeting  house  stood  on  land  now  belonging  to 
Elijah  Fowler,  very  near  the  line  between  the  towns  of  Carmel 
and  Southeast,  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  directly  oppo- 
site the  old  burying  ground.  The  exact  location  of  this  is  also 
fully  described  in  the  sketch  of  the  town  of  Southeast.  The 
exact  date  when  this  church  was  built  is  unknown.  The  first 
mention  of  it  is  in  the  survey  of  the  Philipse  Patent  in  1754, 
in  which  it  is  mentioned  as  "An  old  meeting  house."  The 
probabilities  are  that  it  was  built  as  early  as  1746. 

Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  who  came  to  Southeast  in  1743,  was  the 
pastor  for  some  years  of  both  these  churches.  The  relation 
which  existed  between  them  is  shown  most  conclusively  by  an 
entry  in  the  minutes  of  the  Fairfield  Association  of  Connecticut. 
In  January,  1749,  "  Mr.  Joseph  Crane  appeared  before  the 
Association  and  applied  in  behalf  of  the  Eastern  Society  of 
Philipse  Precinct  for  a  resolve  as  to  what  portion  of  time  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Kent  should  be  advised  to  preach  among  them,  and 


TOWN   OP   CAKMEL.  307 

offering  some  reasons  in  behaif  of  said  Eastern  Society  why 
tliey  should  enjoy  his  labors  two  thirds  of  the  time.  But  the 
Association  not  having  an  opportunity  to  hear  what  Reasons 
ye  Western  Society  of  ye  Precinct  may  have  to  offer  to  ye  con- 
trary, do  therefore  advise  that  for  the  present  Mr.  Kent's  labors 
for  the  Sabbaths  be  equally  divided,  considering  also  that  ye 
said  Eastern  Society  may  enjoy  the  benefit  of  more  frequent 
lectures." 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  that  Mr.  Kent  had  preached  on  alter- 
nate Sabbaths  at  each  church,  but  as  the  Eastern  Society  was 
far  the  larger  it  is  probable  that  this  was  the  reason  urged  for 
claiming  a  larger  portion  of  the  time.  We  may  remark  here 
that  Mr.  John  Spragg,  who  lived  where  Le  Grand  Hughson  now 
lives,  and  very  near  the  site  of  the  ancient  log  church,  was  one 
of  the  commissioners  who  applied  to  the  Eastern  Association  of 
Fairfield,  Connecticut,  for  a  minister  in  1742,  which  resulted  in 
the  settlement  of  Mr.  Kent  in  Southeast  in  1743. 

This  relationship  between  the  two  societies  continued  till 
about  1749  and  shortly  after  this  Rev.  John  Davenport  came  to 
Carmel.  The  history  of  this  man  would  make  a  volume  of 
itself.  His  great-grandfather  was  the  first  minister  of  New 
Haven,  his  father  was  pastor  of  Stamford,  and  his  son  was  also 
a  minister.  He  espoused  the  great  religious  movement  of  Whit- 
field and  went  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  fanaticism.  In  Boston 
he  made  great  disturbance  in  the  churches  and  in  Connecticut 
he  was  put  outside  the  State  for  his  irregular  proceedings.  In 
fact  his  career  was  marked  by  a  course  of  action  which  was 
half  religion  and  half  insanity.  He  finally  came  to  himself, 
repented  of  his  former  actions,  and  his  evident  contrition  caused 
him  to  be  again  received  into  the  churches,  and  he  was  sent  by 
the  Synod  as  a  missionary  to  Virginia  in  1749.  His  labors  in 
Carmel  began  in  1750  and  while  here  he  assisted  in  organizing 
the  church  at  South  Salem.  He  remained  here  till  1754.'  Shortly 
after  this  he  died  and  was  buried  at  Pennington,  New  Jersey, 
where  his  tomb  bears  the  following  lines  : 

'  It  seems  that  in  1752  the  church  at  West  Philippi  (Carmel)  was  bearing  one- 
third  of  the  salary  of  Eev.  Mr.  Davenport,  probably  in  connection  with  Eed  Mills 
and  at  Patterson,  although  the  last  is  doubtful  and  was  more  likely  some  church 
in  Westchester  county.  At  that  time  he  writes  "  That  his  stay  at  Philippi  is 
doubtful  as  the  Philippi  Church  would  not  continue  to  pay  the  third  of  his  salary 
as  they  wanted  a  minister  of  their  own." 


308  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  O  Davenport  a  Seraph  once  in  clay 
A  brighter  Seraph  now  in  heavenly  day, 
How  glowed  thy  heart  with  sacred  love  and  zeal, 
How  like  to  that  thy  kindred  angels  feel. 
Clothed  in  humility  thy  virtues  shone 
In  every  eye  illustrious  but  thine  own. 
How  like  thy  Master,  on  whose  friendly  breast 
Thou  oft  hast  leaned  and  shall  forever  rest." 

The  third  pastor  was  Rev.  Ebenezer  Knibloe,  a  young  Scotch- 
man who  possessed  in  a  marked  degree  the  national  peculiari- 
ties, and  was  a  man  of  strongly  pronounced  opinions.  He 
graduated  from  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  came  to  this 
country  in  1752  and  went  to  New  Haven.  It  is  supposed  that 
he  came  to  Carmel  through  the  influence  of  Mr.  Kent.  When 
he  came  to  America  he  brought  with  him  a  copy  of  the  first 
edition  of  King  James'  Bible,  which  is  still  in  possession  of  his 
descendants.  The  call  to  Mr.  Knibloe  was  brief  and  to  the 
point. 

"  We  the  inhabitants  of  the  Western  Society  of  Philippi  do 
unite  and  call  Mr.  Ebenezer  Knibloe  preacher  of  ye  Grospel  to 
take  the  pastoral  care  of  us." 

This  call  was  signed  by  Eleazar  Hamblin,  Shubael  Rowley, 
Richard  Cooms,  John  Sprague,  Thomas  Kelly,  Cornelius  Fuller, 
Thomas  Colwell,  Edward  Gannung,  Jacob  Finch,  Isaac  Finch, 
Noah  Burbank,  Seth  Dean.  John  Hains,  Matthew  Rowlee,  Shu- 
bael Rowlee,  John  Paddock,  James  Colwell,  Samuel  Latham, 
Isaac  Smith,  Thomas  Crosby,  Francis  Baker,  Joseph  Bangs, 
Thomas  Frost,  Joseph  Hopkins,  Hugh  Bayley,  David  Honiwel, 
John  Frost,  Russell  Gregory,  Isaac  Lyden,  John  Gannung, 
Edward  Carver,  Tho.  Hinkley,  jr.,  John  Myrrick,  Benj.  How- 
land,  Isacher  Robinson,  James  Sears,  Joseph  Gregory,  Isaac 
Chase,  Elkanah  Hinkley,  Lazarus  Griffith,  Jacob  Ellis,  Jacob 
Ellis,  jr.,  Simeon  Ellis,  Jabez  Chase,  John  Finch,  Seth  Myrrick, 
Amos  Fuller,  John  White,  Daniel  Townsend,  John  Barber, 
Matthew  Burgess,  Caleb  Hazen,  John  Langdon,  John  Kelly, 
Jesse  Smith,  Joshua  Hamblin,  and  Blisha  Kellogg. 

The  council  for  ordaining  and  installing  Mr.  Knibloe  met  at 
the  house  of  Thomas  Crosby,  February  18th,  1756.  There  was 
a  literary  and  theological  examination  in  the  morning  and  pub- 
.  lie  service  in  the  afternoon  in  the  meeting  house.  The  ministers 
present  were  Revs.  James  Beebe,  Elisha  Kent,  Mr.  Sill  and  Mr. 
Sacket.     The  first  act  of    his  ministry  was   the  marriage  of 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL.  B09 

Ebenezer  Robinson  and  Anne  Stone,  which  took  place  the  same 
evening.  Mr.  Knibloe  remained  three  years.  He  complained 
to  the  council  that  "  The  church  had  not  fulfilled  their  engage- 
ments in  regard  to  temporals  "  and  a  committee  promised  "  An 
effort  so  that  no  complaint  of  the  kind  should  be  made  again." 
He  asked  for  a  dismission  and  the  society  "Agreed  to  pay  him 
a  certain  sum  for  his  temporal  interest  in  said  place  and  so  part 
in  peace."  The  relation  was  dissolved  July  11th,  1759.  Mr. 
Knibloe  went  to  Amenia,  in  Dutchess  county,  and  there  died. 
His  descendants  are  now  living  in  that  place.  Some  of  the 
papers  of  Mr.  Knibloe  are  yet  in  existence,  among  them  a  list 
of  marriages  and  baptisms  during  his  ministry.  Prom  a  few 
entries  of  a  business  nature  it  is  learned  that  while  in  Carmel 
he  lived  with  Thomas  Crosby',  and  that  his  board  was  26  shill- 
ings a  month. 

"'A  Register  of  Marriages  in  the  West  Society  of  Philipse 
Patent  :  Feb.  18,  1756,  Ebenezer  Robinson,  Anne  Stone;  March 
3,  1756,  Hezekiah  Keeler,  Kenturah  Lynor  of  Danbury;  June 
7,  1756,  Elijah  White,  Mercy  Hopkins  of  East  Society;  Sept.  16, 
1756,  John'  Barber,  Thankful  Hamblin;  Nov.  3,  1756,  Michael 
Evans,  Hepsibah  Sprague;  JSTov.  16,  1756,  Wheaton  Robinson, 
Phebe  Crosby;  Jan.  20,  1757,  Joseph  Gannung,  Elizabeth 
Kellogg;  Feb.  3,  1757.  Daniel  Gregory,  Mary  Comb;  March  9, 
1768,  Peter  Mabie,  Susannah  Sunderlin;  March  23,  1758,  Bar- 
zillai  Kin— Lidia  Hinkley;  March  23, 1758,  Joseph  Parrish,  Ruth 
Hinkley;  June  15,  1758,  John  Langdon,  Mary  Puriiy;  Feb.  18, 
1759,  Peter  Hartwick,  Jean  Langdon." 

"  A  Register  of  Baptisms  in  the  West  Society  of  Philipse 
Patent  since  the  Reverend  Mr.  Ebenezer  Knibloe  was  ordained 
minister  of  the  Gospel  there:  March  8,  A.  D.,  1756,  Daniel 
Cranes'  son  Nathan;  April  11,  Eleazor  Sprague' s  son  Reuben, 
and  Shubael  Rowlee's  daughter  Patience;  May  9,  James  Col- 
well's  son  Joshua;  June  27,  Seth  Merrick's  daughter  Ruth; 
July  11,  John  Hain's  twins  Martha  and  Sybil,  and  David  Hone- 
well's  daughter  Asenath;  Jan.  2,  1757,  Matthew  Rowlee's  son 
Elijah;  Feb.  11,  The  Worthy  Mr.  Moses— daughter  Martha; 
March  13,  1757,  Caleb  Fowler  was  baptised  and  likewise  on  said 
day  his  daughter  Elizabeth;  April  10,  Hackaliah  Brown's  son 
Nathan  and  daughter,  Wm.  Stone's  son  Oliver,  and  Heman 

'Thomas  Crosby  lived  south  of  the  Seminary  in  Carmel.     His  farm  included 
the  Gilead  burying  ground. 


310  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

King's  son  Stephen;  April  17,  Josepli  Hopkins'  daughter  Han- 
nah; May  1,  Caleb  Fowler's  daughter  Sarah;  May  8,  Joshua 
Hamblin's  daughter  Sarah,  Robert  Fuller's  son  John,  and 
Isaac  Chase's  sons  Thomas,  Josiah,  Joel  and  Solomon  and  ye 
daughters  Sarah,  Elizabeth;  May  22,  Widow  Huldah  Robin- 
son's son  Issacher;  June  6,  Ebenezer  Robinson's  daughter  Ann; 
July  10,  Jonathan  Hopkins'  son  Jonathan;  July  24,  Lazarus 
GriflBn's  daughter  Phebe;  July  31,  Jacob  Surges'  son  Dennis; 
Aug.  7,  David  E.  Smith's  son  Samuel;  Oct.  9,  Joseph  Gregory's 
son  Reuben." 

The  exact  time  when  the  old  log  meeting  house  ceased  to  be 
used,  and  a  new  church  erected,  is  unknown.  The  first  direct 
mention  of  the  meeting  house  at  Gilead  which  has  been  found, 
is  in  the  survey  of  Lot  8  in  1762.  It  was  standing  then  and 
Rev.  Elnathan  Gregory  held  as  tenant  a  large  farm  south  of  it 
which  extended  south  to  what  was  then  Dean's  Pond,  but  now 
Lake  Gilead.  But  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  standing 
at  the  time  when  Mr.  Knibloe  was  installed,  in  1756.  This 
church  remained  till  within  the  remembrance  of  the  present 
generation.  It  was  a  plain  building  about  fifty  feet  square  and 
stood  on  the  west  end  of  the  old  burying  ground  at  Gilead  and 
some  distance  north  of  the  road.  A  door  on  the  south  side 
opened  directly  in  front  of  the  pulpit  and  stairs  led  co  the 
galleries.  x^.round  the  walls  were  square  pews  for  families, 
while  nearer  the  pulpit  were  straight  backed  benches.  The 
pulpit  was  "goblet  shaped,"  elevated  as  was  the  custom  in 
those  times,  and  winding  stairs  led  up  to  it.  The  building  was 
repaired  in  1802,  and  the  modern  stove  was  introduced  in  1815. 
This  stood  near  the  center,  and  a  straight  stove  pipe  led  up  to 
the  peak  of  the  roof.  This  meeting  house,  which  was  in  its  day 
the  only  church  for  many  miles  around,  stood  till  1839.  It 
was  then  torn  down  and  the  material  sold  to  Peter  S.  Kent  and 
carried  to  his  farm  in  Patterson  where  it  was  used  for  out- 
buildings, which  may  now  be  seen  on  the  homestead  of  Edison 
Smith  in  the  town  of  Patterson.  The  pews  sold  in  1803 
for  $202,  and  in  1806  for  $154.  The  minister's  salary  in  1824 
was  $200.  The  first  deacons  of  the  church  were  Eleazar  Harab- 
lin  and  Thomas  Crosby.  The  former  is  said  to  have  returned 
to  Massachusetts  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution;  the  latter 
died  at  the  beginning  of  this  century  at  the  age  of  92. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Elnathan  Gregory,  who,  unlike  his 


TOWN  OF   CARMEL.  311 

predecessor,  was  intensely  American,  educated  in  the  scliool  of 
Edwards  and  Belamy,  and  a  natural  orator.  It  is  said  that  the 
church  adopted  its  name  from  a  sermon  which  he  preached 
from  the  text  "  Is  there  no  balm  in  Gilead?"  His  pastorate 
'lasted  about  thirteen  years,  when  he  retired,  but  continued  to 
live  in  Carmel.  During  his  ministry  the  neighborhood  was 
known  as  "Gregory's  Parrish."  Like  most  ministers  of  his 
time  Mr.  Gregory  carried  on  a  farm  in  connection  with  his  more 
sacred  calling.  His  farm  was  leased  from  the  Philipse  family 
and  was  situated  south  of  the  church  and  extended  to  Lake 
Gilead.  He  is  said  to  have  died  in  Carmel  in  1816,  at  the  age 
of  82.  He  was  a  strong  whig  noted  for  his  patriotism,  and  dur- 
ing the  Hevolntion  a  price  was  set  on  his  head.  The  next  min- 
ister was  Hev.  David  Close,  who  was  called  in  1774.  His  charge 
embraced  both  Carmel  and  Patterson,  but  he  is  said  to  have 
been  in  the  former  place  two  years  before  coming  to  Carmel. 
He  was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  and  took  a  deep  interest  in 
the  Dutchess  County  Presbytery.  His  ministry  lasted  during 
the  Kevolution  and  he  died  in  Patterson  in  1783.'  He  married 
a  Miss  Comstock,  but  left  no  children. 

His  successor  was  Rev.  Mr.  Burritt  and  the  Presbytery  met 
at  his  house  in  Carmel,  December  1st,  1783.  The  war  had 
caused  great  suffering  and  made  many  changes.  He  had  been 
so  greatly  reduced  in  circumstances  that  the  Presbytery  com- 
mended him  by  official  letter  to  the  benevolence  of  the  Christian 
public. 

In  1774  the  church,  which  had  previously  been  Congregational, 
became  Presbyterian.  A  letter  from  Mr.  Kent  to  Dr.  Belamy, 
written  during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Gregorj',  states  that  the 
"  Separatists  and  Sandemanians  were  disturbing  the  congrega- 
tion with  their  errors."  The  former  urged  higher  sanctity  and 
claimed  it  for  themselves;  the  latter  were  the  followers  of  Rev. 
John  Sandeman,  who  died  in  Danbury  in  1771,  and  who  taught 
that  an  intellectual  faith  was  sufficient  for  salvation  without  a 
change  of  heart. 

For  some  years  after  the  Revolution  the  church  seems  to  have 
been  broken  up  and  disorganized,  but  it  was  reorganized  in 
1792. 

"  Prederickstown,  Aug.  9,  1792. 

"We  the  subscribers,  members  of  different  churches  and  of 

'See  Sketch  of  Presbyterian  Church,  Patterson. 


312  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  former  church  in  this  place,  now  dissolved,  living  in  the 
vicinity  commonly  knovi^n  as  Gregory's  Parrish,  considering  it 
the  duty  of  Christians  to  join  together  and  form  churches 
vi^herever  God  in  his  Providence  may  cast  their  lot  and  finding 
ourselves  under  such  circumstances  and  no  church  in  this, 
parish  w^hich  we  may  join  *  *  have  after  mature  delibera- 
tion judged  that  we  ought  to  unite  in  covenant  as  a  visible 
church  and  Messrs.  Ichabod  Lewis,  Jehu  Minor,  Amzi  Lewis 
and  Silas  Constant,  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  having  by  our  re- 
quest convened  in  order  to  assist  us  we  have  therefore  adopted 
and  publicly  received  the  following  articles  and  covenant." 
Then  follow  the  usual  articles  of  faith,  and  the  covenant  is 
signed  by  John  Ambler,  Matthew  Beale,  Philetus  Phillips, 
Zebulon  Phillips,  John  Merrick,  John  McLean,  Jabez  Truesdale, 
Rebecca  Hopkins,  Mary  Hopkins,  Desire  Stone,  Mary  Haines, 
Lucy  Cullen,'  Bethice  Truesdell,  Esther  Phillips  and  Elizabeth 
Merrick.  Rev.  Ichabod  Lewis  is  said  to  have  preached  here 
from  1792  till  the  time  of  his  death  in  1793,  and  at  the  same 
time  was  pastor  of  the  church  in  Southeast. 

Rev.  James  Hickox  was  licensed  in  1793  and  preached  at 
Gilead  and  Red  Mills  until  1803.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Stephen  Dodd  who  came  in  June,  1803,  and  also  had  charge  of 
the  church  at  Red  Mills.  He  removed  to  Salem,  July  15th, 
1810. 

Rev.  Herman  Dagget  came  to  this  place  from  Northampton, 
Mass.,  and  was  pastor  both  here  and  at  Red  Mills.  The  two 
churches  gave  a  very  meagre  support.  He  remained  two  years 
and  then  became  principal  of  an  academy  at  North  Salem,  and 
was  subsequently  in  charge  of  a  foreign  mission  school  for 
educating  heathen  youth  at  Cornwall,  Conn. 

Rev.  Allen  Blair,  the  next  pastor,  was  a  native  of  Ireland 
and  was  apprenticed  to  a  weaver.  He  obtained  a  good  English 
education  and  taught  school  at  Red  Mills.  After  studying 
under  Rev.  Amzi  Lewis  he  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1795.  He 
became  pastor  here  in  1812  and  remained  till  1815.  He  was  stated 
supply  at  Red  Mills  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1829, 
aged  72. 

Rev.  James  N.  Austin  was  born  at  Red  Mills  and  was  pastor 
here  from  1815  to  1818.     Since  that  time  the  pastors  have  been: 

>  Lucy  CuUen  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent  and  the  widow  of  Charles 
Cullen. 


TOWN   or   CAEMEL.  313 

Rev.  Abner  Brundage,  1818-21;  Isaac  Allerton,  two  years; 
Asahel  Brunson  preached  here  and  at  Yorktown  3  years;  Benaiah 
Y.  Morse  preached  here  and  at  Red  Mills  6  years;  George  T. 
Todd,  1836;  Henry  G.  Livingston,  1845-49";  Rutgers  Van  Brunt, 
1850-52;  Henry  G.  Livingston  was  supply  till  1856;  Sanauel  W. 
Crittenden,  1857;  Henry  G.  Smuller,  1858-63;  Saurian  E.  Lane, 
1863-68;  Israel  W.  Cochrane,  1869;  Daniel  D.  Sahler,  1870-82; 
A.  W.  Colver,  stated  supply;  Rollin  A.  Sawyer,  present  pastor. 

Rev,  Daniel  Dtj  Bois  Sahler,  who  was  for  twelve  years 
pastor  of  the  Gilead  Presbyterian  Church  of  Carmel,  was  born 
in  Kingston,  Ulster  county,  N".  Y.,  in  1829.  His  parents,  Abra- 
ham Du  Bois  and  Eliza  (Hasbrouck)  Sahler,  were  both  residents 
of  that  place  and  were  representatives  of  old  families  of  the 
couniy. 

Mr.  Sahler' s  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  schools  in 
Kingston  and  after  finishing  a  preparatory  course  he  entered 
college  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  where  he  graduated.  He  then  en- 
tered Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  and  at  the  conclusion  of 
his  course  of  study  in  that  institution  he  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Red  Bank,  N.  J. 
In  this  place  he  remained  several  years,  his  labors  being  much 
blessed  and  his  church  membership  increased.  He  then  accepted 
a  call  to  the  Congregational  Church  of  Sheffield,  Mass.,  his 
pastorate  lasting  five  years,  and  in  1870  he  received  an  invita- 
tion to  become  the  pastor  of  the  Gilead  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Carmel,  N.  Y,,  and  was  installed  May  2d,  1871. 

The  pastorate  thus  begun  continued  till  the  time  of  his  death 
which  occurred  November  11th,  1882.  His  mortal  remains  were 
laid  to  rest  in  Woodlawn  Cemetery.     He  died  in  the  midst  of 

iRev.  Henry  G.  Livingston,  son  of  Eev.  Gilbert  Livingston,  D.D.,  was  born  at 
Coxsackie,  N.  Y.,  February  3d,  1821,  graduated  from  Williams  College  in  1840, 
and  November  1st  of  same  year  became  principal  of  Clinton  Academy,  East- 
hampton,  L.  I.  He  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  in  1842,  and  preached 
his  first  sermon  at  Easthampton,  L.  I.,  September  29th,  1844.  On  October  37th 
of  that  year  he  first  preached  at  Carmel  and  remained  as  pastor  till  November 
8th,  1849,  when  he  resigned  to  take  charge  of  the  Third  Reformed  Chvtrch  of 
Philadelphia.  He  remained  there  till  1853  when  failing  health  compelled  him  to 
resign,  and  he  returned  to  Carmel  and  took  charge  of  Raymond  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute. Under  his  care  the  institution  was  very  prosperous,  but  his  earthly  career 
was  cut  short  by  untimely  death  January  27th,  1855,  at  the  age  of  34.  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston married  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Raymond.  Their  children  are  Gilbert 
R.  and  Julia  R.,  now  living  in  Carmel.  Mr.  Livingston  was  a  descendant  in  the 
fifth  generation  from  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  the  first  minister  of  Southeast. 


314  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

his  work,  and  in  the  full  energy  of  Christian  manhood,  and  his 
untimely  departure  was  lamented  by  a  large  circle  of  devoted 
friends.  The  memorial  service  in  his  honor  was  attended  by 
the  largest  congregation  that  had  ever  attended  the  church 
where  he  labored  so  faithfully  and  so  well. 

Mr.  Sahler  was  a  truly  consecrated  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 
His  one  idea  of  preaching  was  to  win  souls.  All  his  sermons 
were  carefully  prepared  with  this  end  in  view,  and  so  were  plain, 
practical  and  thoroughly  scriptural,  and  his  labors  were  rich 
with  results  for  the  world  to  come,  and  his  pastorate  was  not 
only  the  longest  since  the  days  of  Gregory,  but  the  most 
fruitful. 

He  was  a  pastor  in  the  real  sense  of  that  term  and  the  truth 
he  preached  on  the  Sabbath  was  illustrated  and  enforced  by  his 
life,  conversation  and  personal  efforts  during  the  week,  and  as 
one  who  knew  him  well  remai-ked,  "  a  large  part  of  his  preach- 
ing was  done  outside  the  pulpit." 

His  social  temperament  and  genial  disposition  made  him  ever 
a  welcome  guest  not  only  in  the  homes  of  his  own  people  but 
in  the  homes  of  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance. 
In  times  of  sorrow  his  quick,  sympathetic  nature  made  him  ever 
ready  to  administer  consolation,  and  many  a  heart  bowed  down 
with  grief  has  been  cheered  and  comforted  by  his  tender  loving 
words. 

He  was  a  man  of  broad  culture,  and  always  kept  himself 
abreast  with  the  wants  of  the  times.  While  giving  self-sacri- 
ficing attention  to  every  interest  associated  with  the  Church  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  he  was  always  at  the  front  in  all  reforms  for  the 
good  of  mankind,  and  thus  he  endeared  himself  not  only  to  his 
immediate  congregation  but  to  the  entire  community.  Fitted 
by  education  and  taste  for  the  most  varied  associations  he  gave 
himself  wholly  to  his  church  and  its  neighborhood.  His  powers 
of  adaptation  made  him  successful  with  all.  He  was  an  evan- 
gelist in  the  remoter  districts  of  the  county.  He  was  the  helper 
of  the  friends  of  purity  and  temperance.  In  the  intellectual 
development  of  young  people  he  was  enthusiastic  and  untiring. 
In  the  association  of  ministers  of  Putnam  county  and  vicinity 
he  was  active  and  efficient.  Thoroughly  Presbyterian  in  his  be- 
liefs and  methods,  he  yet  respected  the  beliefs  of  others  and  in 
all  the  great  varieties  of  Christian  service  he  found  a  congenial 


c^^^^^^ciAjLuo 


"^ 


j;.i3-'i'  7J^Fiiv:sS^iz: 


TOWN    OF    OAEMEL.  315 

sphere  for  his  great  heart  to  lavish  its  sympathy  and  his  busy 
brain  to  kindle  its  brightest  thought. 

His  death  in  the  vigor  of  his  years  made  vacancies  to  be  long 
deplored.  The  religious  history  of  Putnam  county  would  be 
incomplete  without  giving  large  place  to  him  whose  name  is 
tenderly  cherished  in  so  many  of  its  homes. 

He  married  the  eldest  daughter  of  Benjamin  W.  Merriam  of 
New  York,  who,  with  three  daughters,  survives  him. 

Parsonage  and  Church  Lots. — As  stated  before.  Rev.  Elna- 
than  Gregory  during  his  life  was  tenant  of  a  large  farm  near 
his  church.  July  10th,  1818,  Amos  Belden  sold  to  Enoch  Cros- 
by, Joel  Frost,  Elisha  Smith,  David  Travis  and  Joseph  Crane, 
trustees  of  the  church,  thirty  acres  of  land  bounded  south  by 
Dean's  Pond  and  north  by  the  Horse  Pound  road.  This  farm 
the  trustees  sold  to  Rev.  Benaiah  Y.  Morse,  March  5th,  1835. 
He  sold  two  thirds  of  an  acre  next  the  road  to  Floyd  T.  Frost 
and  the  remainder  to  William  Watts  April  7th  of  the  same 
year.  The  house  and  part  of  the  land  opposite  the  burying 
ground  now  belong  to  Lyman  Craft,  the  house  being  the  old 
parsonage  built  before  the  Revolution.  The  present  church  in 
Carmel  was  built  in  1836.  The  church  lot  was  sold  to  the  trus- 
tees by  Lewis  Ludington,  James  Raymond  and  Benjamin  Bel- 
den, June  30th,  1835.  This  is  apart  of  a  tract  of  16  acres  which 
was  sold  to  them  by  Elisha  Cole  July  7th,  1834.  The  north  line 
of  this  church  lot  is  the  original  north  bounds  of  the  farm  leased 
in  perpetuity  by  Philip  Philipse  to  James  Dickinson  in  1766, 
and  which  afterward  passed  into  the  hands  of  Elisha  Cole.  The 
present  parsonage  was  purchased  from  Chauncey  R.  Weeks  in 
1856. 

The  Gilead  Burying  Ground. — This  place,  situated  about  a 
mile  southeast  of  the  village  of  Carmel  and  the  location  of  the  old 
Grilead  Church,  is  a  part  of  the  farm  which,  in  1756,  was  in  pos- 
sesion of  Thomas  Crosby  and  was  leased  to  James  Dickinson 
in  1766  and  sold  to  Elisha  Cole  by  Frederick  Philipse  in  1828. 
It  is  probable  that  the  first  burials  here  were  soon  after  the 
building  of  the  Gilead  Church.  The  oldest  inscription  is  in 
memory  of  Sarah,  wife  of  Jesse  Smith,  who  died  November  17th, 
1766.  This  burial  ground  is  the  last  resting  place  of  the  earliest 
settlers  and  the  representatives  of  the  older  families  of  the  town. 
The  old  Gilead  meeting  house  stood  on  the  west  end  of  the 
ground  and  a  little  way  north  of  the  road. 


316 


HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 


The  following  names  and  dates  are  from  the  Grilead  Burying 
Ground.— James  Colwell,  died  July  4,  1837,  age  76;  David  Myr- 
rick,  May  8, 1800,  69;  Hannah,  wife,  Feb.  24,  1807,  77;  Lois  wife 
of  Matthew  Beale,  July  1,  1785,  27;    Elizabeth,  widow  of   Tho. 
Crosby,  Aug.  6,  1801,  92;  Sarah,  wife  of  George  Beale,    Jan.  1, 
1790,  37;  Sarah,  wife   of   Mr.    Jesse   Smith,    Nov.  17,  1766,  62; 
Daniel  Daily,  May  24,  1861,  51;  Caleb  Fowler,  Aug.  6,  1805,  72; 
Eliza  wife,  June  8,  1807,  80;  John  Wood,  Dec.  17,  1808,  34;  John 
Myrrick,   May  14,   1812,   42;  Rev.  Ebenezer   Phillips,    Feb.  15, 
1834,  48;  Mary,  wife,  Oct.  15,  1846,  46;  Reuben  Hopkins,   July 
22,  1798,  31;  Capt.  Solomon  Hopkins,  Sept.  22,  1792,  54;  Eliza- 
beth, wife,  Jan.  6,  1804,  62;  Eleanor,  wife  of  Thatcher  Hopkins, 
Mar.  2,  1786,  80;  Col.  Caleb  Hazen,   March  31,  1806,  56;  Ruth, 
wife,  Dec.  18,  1828,  77;  Capt.  Eleazor  Hazen,  Sept.  20,  1793,  37; 
Enoch  Crosby,  June  26,  1835,  85;  Sarah,  wife,  Sept.  4,  1811,  56; 
Joel   Myer,    Mar.   25,  1807,  72:  Seth  Foster,  Sept.  15,  1837,  76; 
Huldah,  wife,  Oct.  29,  1797,  40;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Jan.   28,  1848, 
86;  Tho.  Foster,  Sept.  22,  1840,   45;  Laura  A.  Foster,    Nov.  30, 
1847,    43;  Tilly   Foster,    Apr.    4,  1847,  49;  Sally,  wife,    Apr.  8, 
1836,  40;  Abigail,  wife,  James  Sloat,  May  15,  1825,  69;  Eli  Gan- 
nung,    Feb.    8,    1827,    40;  Reuben   Gannung,  Dec.  29,  1836,  79; 
Samuel  Kniflfen,  Oct.  9,  1791,  74;  Alvah  Trowbridge,   June   10, 
1856,  76;  Sally,  wife,  April  6,  1833,   52;  James   Garrison,  Jan. 
18,  1881,   80;  Zebulon   Washburn,  Nov.  17,  1833,  86;  Jeremiah 
Hughson,   Apr.   12,   1812,   63;  Rebecca,  wife,   Apr.  7,  1812,  61; 
Abijah  Baker,  Oct.  1805,  80;  Tho.  Wilson,  Oct.  7,  1805,  80;  John 
Frost,  Mar.  21,  1831,  91;  Huldah,  wife,  Oct.  13,  1802,  60;  Mehit- 
able  Frost,  June  6,  1856,  73;  Wm.  Colwell,   Sept.  13,  1825,  81; 
Phebe,  wife.   Mar.  25,  1818,  80;  Solomon  Fowler,  Oct.  21,  1828, 
61;  Hannah,  wife,   July  1,  1849,  73;    Jacob  Ganung,   Dec.  22, 
1834,  86;  Hannah,  wife,  May  22,  1845,  92;  Joseph  Ganung,  May 
24,  1836,  68;  Susannah,  wife,  Aug.  19,  1848,  69;  Hon.  Joel  Frost, 
Sept.  11,  1827,   62;  Martha,  wife,   Oct.  21,  1860,   88;  Jonathan 
Fowler,  Oct.  26,  1848,  79;  Mary,  wife,  Apr.  16,  1835,  59;  Philip 
Smith,  Jan.  1,  1828,  73;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Jaa.  30,  1829,  69;  Capt. 
Samuel  Kniflfen,  Mar.  9,  1828,  77;  Jane,  wife,  Feb.  21,  1844,  86; 
Susannah  Fowler,  Oct.  1,  1847,  80;  Phebe  Fowler,  Sept.  28, 1847, 
88;  Ampelias  Yeomans,  Feb.  22,  1853,  74;  Abagail,  wife,  March 
10,  1848,  63;  Salome,  wife  Josiah  Baker,  Dec.  26, 1845,  71;  John 
Frost,  May  11,  1862,  88;  Cornelia, wife,  Apr.  11,  1844,  62;  William 
Seeley,  Mar.  11,  1828,  53;  Joel  Murger,  Mar.  25,  1807,  72;  Lewis 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEIi.  317 

Crosby,  April  30,  1836,  46;  Cornelia,  wife,  Dec.  3,  1857,  64; 
Hannah  Crosby,  wife  Philips  Bundle,  Apr.  16,  1871,  71;  Gilbert 
Travis,  Sept.  6,  1814,  74;  Joseph  Travis,  Mar.  1,  1841,  75;  Deb- 
orah, wife,  June  12,  1845,  77;  Amos  Belden,  May  4,  1830,  66; 
Elizabeth,  wife,  Dec.  27,  185],  82;  Jeremiah  Hopkins,  Oct.  17, 
1829,  67;  Thankful,  wife,  Apr.  18,  1833,  70;  Jonathan  Travis, 
Feb.  1,  1845,  85;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Feb.  28,  1840,  88;  Richard 
Travis,  Oct.  25,  1844,  56. 

James  Raymond  was  born  in  Albany  county,  N.  Y.,  March 
15th,  1795.  His  parents  were  originally  from  Southeast  Town- 
ship, Putnam  county,  in  which  they  were  old  settlers.  He  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education,  learned  the  harness-making 
trade,  and  opened  a  shop  in  Carmel  village.  About  1826  he  en- 
gaged in  the  menagerie  business  in  a  small  way,  which  busi- 
ness he  gradually  increased  and  extended  until  he  was  known 
as  one  of  the  foremost  and  successful  showmen  in  the  United 
States.  He  founded  the  firm  of  Raymond,  Ogden  &  Co.,  sub- 
sequently changed  to  Raymond,  Waring  &  Co.  He  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  Raymond  Seminary,  now  known  as  Drew  Semi- 
nary. September  26th,  1818,  he  married  Julia  Smith,  a  native 
of  Putnam  county,  now  living  at  an  advanced  age,  and  the 
oldest  living  member  of  the  Gilead  Presbyterian  Church,  Car- 
mel. Mr.  Raymond's  death  occurred  March  23d,  1854,  and  he 
is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Carmel,  which  bears  his  name. 

He  laid  out  the  Raymond  Cemetery  in  1845,  and  tlie  same 
year  gave  a  deed  of  the  land  to  the  trustees  of  the  Gilead 
Church,  and  it  is  now  under  their  control. 

Mount  Carmel  Baptist  Chitech. — The  family  of  Elisha 
Cole  are  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  Baptists  settled  here 
and  his  descendants  have  ever  been  identified  with  the  church 
of  that  denomination.  The  society  is  supposed  to  have  been 
organized  about  1770,  but  for  many  years  there  was  no 
meeting  house  in  this  vicinity.  In  the  summer  time  meetings 
were  held  in  the  open  air  and  Elder  Elisha  Cole  preached  to 
numbers  gathered  from  all  the  country  round,  while  in  winter 
the  meetings  were  held  in  private  houses.  Sometime  between 
1780  and  1785,  a  building  was  bought  and  moved  to  a  place  on 
the  west  side  of  the  street  in  Carmel,  where  the  house  of  the 
late  Lewis  Ballard  now  stands,  next  south  of  the  horse  sheds 
belonging  to  the  church.  This  was  used  till  1806,  when  a  second 
church  was  built.     This  meeting  house  stood  on  the  small  lot 


318  HISTOKT   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

south  of  the  present  church  and  on  land  leased  from  Frederick 
Philipse.  In  the  survey  of  Lot  6  in  1810  the  tirst  church  is 
spoken  of  as  having  been  "  sold  and  converted  into  a  barn." 

June  29th,  1821,  Frederick  Philipse  gave  to  the  trustees  of  the 
church  "  in  consideration  of  his  respect  for  the  religious  es- 
tablishment whose  temporal  concerns  are  under  their  care  and 
supervision,"  the  piece  of  land  now  owned  by  the  church, 
lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  and  including  the  old  burying 
ground,  and  also  the  small  lot  south  of  the  present  church  on 
which  the  second  meeting  house  was  then  standing. 

The  church-  was  incorporated  February  16th,  1807,  the 
trustees  being  Barnabas  Carver,  Joseph  Cole  and  Henry 
Nichols,  and  "  the  Society  then  agreed  that  their  house  and 
society  be  called  by  the  name  of  Mount  Carmel."  The  third 
church  was  erected  in  1836  on  land  bought  of  Eli  Kelley,  Nov- 
vember  25th,  1885,  and  remained  till  1869. 

The  first  preacher  of  this  society  was  Elisha  Cole,  the  first 
settler  of  the  name,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son.  Elder 
Nathan  Cole,  who  was  identified  with  the  church  during  his 
entire  life.  His  salary  in  1791  was  $12.  About  1792  a  division 
arose  in  the  church  and  Elder  Cole,  with  quite  a  number  of  the 
members,  withdrew  because  the  church  neglected  to  support 
their  poor.  In  1794  the  matter  was  referred  to  a  council  which 
censured  the  church  for  not  maiataining  their  indigent  mem- 
bers and  counseled  the  disaffected  members  to  unite  in  love 
and  labor  together  for  the  good  of  Zion.  This  advice  was  com- 
plied with  and  the  church  again  acted  in  unity.  In  1795 
Brother  Joseph  Arnold  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  1796  a  rup- 
ture again  occurred  and  Elder  Cole  with  a  large  number  with- 
drew from  the  church  on  account  of  the  "superfluous  dress, 
and  the  holding  of  posts  of  civil  and  military  office  in  earthly 
states  by  certain  members."  Notwithstanding  this  the  church 
increased,  and  it  was  "Resolved  that  our  dissenting  brethren 
who  withdrew  from  the  church  on  account  of  fashionable  dress 
and  the  holding  of  posts  of  honor  both  civil  and  military  be 
allowed  the  privilege  of  occupying  the  meeting  house  one  half 
the  time." 

Thus  matters  continued,  both  the  church  and  the  disaffected 
members  receiving  members  until  July  1st,  1797,  when  the 
church  withdrew  the  hand  of  fellowship  from  all  dissenting 
brethren  and  sisters  for  covenant  breaking.     November  22d, 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  319 

1798,  Daniel  Cole  Avas  ordained  deacon  and  during  1799  and  1802 
the  churcli  was  supplied  with  preaching  by  Elder  Ebenezer  Cole 
and  Jonathan  Sturdevant  at  the  stipulated  rate  of  $85  a  year. 
A  list  was  taken  of  members  willing  to  contribute  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  gospel  and  for  a  part  of  the  time  meetings  were  held 
in  private  houses  "  to  accommodate  the  lame,  the  halt  and  the 
blind."  In  December,  1802,  some  of  the  members  were  put 
under  admonition  for  joining  the  Masons.  Elder  Ebenezer  Cole 
became  sole  pastor  in  1802  at  a  salary  of  $30.  In  1809  Lewis 
Evans  was  licensed  to  preach  and  Elisha  Booth  in  the  year  fol- 
lowing. 

About  this  time  the  church  met  with  a  severe  loss  by  the 
death  of  Elder  Cole,  whose  tombstone  in  the  old  burying  ground 
bears  the  following: 

"IN  MEMORY  OF  ELDER  NATHAN   COLE  WHO   DEPARTED  THIS  LIFE  FEB.  6,  1805,  IN 
THE   59th   year   of   his  AGE. 

"  A  dying  preacher  I  have  been 
Christ  and  his  cross  has  been  my  theme. 
Laboring  for  souls  for  thirty  years 
Often  warning  them  with  tears. 
Today  ye  come  my  grave  to  view 
In  silence  now  I  speak  to  you 
Your  fleeting  time  rolls  fast  away, 
Prepare  to  meet  thy  God  to-day." 

Elder  Ebenezer  Cole  died  August  18th,  1815,  at  the  age  of  61, 
and  Deacon  Daniel  Cole  December  10th,  1831,  aged  85.  These 
three  brothers,  the  pillars  of  the  early  Baptist  church,  together 
await  the  resurrection. 

Elder  Daniel  Wildman  came  in  1817  and  a  great  revival  took 
place  in  1818,  and  many  were  added  to  the  church. 

July  9th,  1820,  Elder  John  Warren  preached  his  first  sermon 
in  this  church  and  this  was  the  beginning  of  a  pastorate  of 
twenty-one  years,  during  which  time  he  baptized  between  three 
and  four  hundred.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
and  a  prisoner  on  board  the  prison  ship  in  New  York,  from 
which  he  escaped  and  came  to  Carmel.  He  was  licensed  to 
preach  June  25th,  1791.  and  was  afterward  ordained  at  Dan- 
bury,  Conn. 

Elder  John  Warren  was  born  in  Carmel  but  in  early  life  went 
with  his  father's  family  to  Worcester,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y. 
He  began  to  preach  in  1811  and  was  pastor  at  Roxbury,  N.  Y. 
In  1818  he  came  to  Patterson  in  this  county.    His  ministry  alter- 


320 


HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 


nated  between  the  latter  place  and  Carmel,  where  he  was  pastor 
for  twenty  years,  closing  his  labors  in  1842.  After  a  long  life 
of  usefulness  and  devotion  to  his  labor,  Elder  Warren  died  at 
Danbury,  Conn-.,  July  21st,  1868,  aged  83  years,  one  month  and 
two  days.  He  was  buried  in  an  obscure  part  of  the  old  burying 
ground  in  Carmel,  but  in  June,  1871,  his  remains  were  removed 
to  a  more  fitting  place  in  front  of  the  present  church,  and  a 


BAPTIST  CHURCH,   CARMEL  VILLAGE. 


neat  monument  was  erected  by  his  relatives  and  friends.  The 
Baptist  church  had  no  truer  representative  and  there  was  no 
firmer  defender  of  the  "Faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints" 
than  Elder  John  Warren. 

The  strictness  of  discipline  in  early  days  appears  in  many 
instances.  A  resolution  of  May  17th,  1828,  states,  "That  it 
should  be  considered  a  church  discipline  that  a  member  of  the 


TOWN    OF   CAEMEL.  321 

church  should  visit  a  Free  Mason  Lodge,"  and  in  1829  a  com- 
plaint was  raised  against  one  of  the  members  "for  walking 
uncharitably  in  playing  the  violin,  to  tte  grief  of  the  brethren 
and  sisters,  and  he  was  put  under  admonitions  therefor." 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  H.  Underhill  who  entered  upon 
his  labors  March  1st,  1842.  He  remained  till  April  1st,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Aaron  Perkins.  The  succeeding  pastors 
were:  Rev.  J.  M.  Coley,  August,  2, 1846,  to  April  1st,  1849;  C.  B. 
Keyes,  June  1st,  1849,  to  April  1st,  1851 ;  John  Seage,  April  1st, 
1851-53;  D.  T.  Hill,  April  1st,  1853-58;  William  S.  Clapp,  1859 
to  November,  1859;  A..; Perkins,  January  1st,  1860,  to  May  1st; 
William  S.  Clapp,  May  1st,  1860,  to  October,  1865;  Otis  Saxton, 
October  1st,  1865,  to  April  ]  st,  1866. 

In  1867  Rev.  William  S.  Clapp  again  took  charge  of  the 
church  and  has  remained  its  pastor  till  the  present  time. 

The  present  church  was  built  in  1869  and  dedicated  March 
10th,  1870.  The  old  church  was  sold  to  Leonard  Yeamans  for 
$405.  The  pulpit  and  seats  were  used  for  the  present  Baptist 
church  at  Boyd's  Reservoir. 

The  new  church  which  was  built  at  a  cost  of  |133,000,  will  seat 
600  persons  and  is  an  elegant  and  imposing  edifice. 

Rev.  William  S.  Clapp,  who  has  for  many  years  been  the 
pastor  of  Carmel  Baptist  Church,  was  born  at  Ballston,  Sara- 
toga county,  N.  Y.,  November  2d,  1822.  His  parents,  Chester 
and  Eleanor  Stilwell  Clapp,  are  yet  residents  of  Ballston,  the 
former  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three,  and  the  latter  aged 
eighty-eight. 

They  were  the  parents  of  six  children:  Marcella,  wife  of  Dr. 
C.  T.  Harris,  of  Syracuse;  Russell  P.,  William  S.,  Edward  L., 
John  A.,  and  Harmon  W.  The  last  two  are  deceased;  the 
former  of  whom  was  one  of  the  earliest  emigrants  to  California 
in  1849,  the  latter  was  killed  during  the  Civil  War. 

The  early  life  of  Mr.  Clapp  was  passed  in  his  native  place 
under  the  care  of  his  parents,  and  on  reaching  the  age  of 
seventeen,  he  left  home  to  attend  school  at  Stillwater  Academy. 

After  completing  his  preparatory  studies,  he  entered  Madison 
University  in  the  Sophomore  year,  and  graduated  in  July,  1846. 
Previous  to  his  graduation  Mr.  Clapp  accepted  an  invitation  to 
become  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Albany,  and  was 
ordained,  March  10th,  1846.  In  this  charge  he  remained  till 
May,  1849,  when  a  call  was  extended  from  a  Baptist  Church  in 

21 


322  HISTORY   OF   PCJTNAM   COUNTY. 

New  York  city  which  was  accepted.  Here  he  remained  three 
years,  when  his  health,  which  had  been  shattered  by  an  attaok 
of  cholera,  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  charge. 

Mr.  Clapp  then  removed  to  Danbury,  Conn.,  where  he  became 
pastor  of  the  church,  and  remained  there  till  1857.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1858,  he  commenced  a  pastorate  in  the  village  of  Carmel, 
which  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  to  the  mutual  satisfac- 
tion of  pastor  and  people. 

Daring  this  lengthy  service  of  twenty-eight  years,  an  entire 
generation  has  grown  up  under  his  care,  and  been  blessed  by 
his  example  and  instructions. 

Throughout  the  county  his  influence  among  the  churches  of 
the  Baptist  denomination  is  widely  known  and  fully  recognized, 
and  in  the  councils' of  the  various  pastors,  his  advice  and  opin- 
ions are  received  with  the  respect  which  is  most  justly  deserved. 

In  1864  Mr.  Clapp  went  to  Europe  where  he  remained  fifteen 
months,  during  which  time  he  made  extensive  journeys  through- 
out the  continent. 

His  influence  and  well  merited  popularity  among  all  classes 
of  people,  led  to  his  receiving,  in  1872,  the  nomination  for  mem- 
ber of  Legislature  on  an  independent  ticket,  and  the  nomina- 
tion was  confirmed  by  the  people  by  a  very  large  majority. 

Upon  taking  his  seat  in  Xhe  Legislature,  Mr.  Clapp  was  ap- 
pointed upon  the  committees  on  Education,  Charitable  and  Re- 
ligious Bodies,  and  Expenditures. 

One  of  the  most  important  services  in  which  Mr.  Clapp  was 
engaged,  was  conducting  the  memorial  services  held  in  honor  of' 
the  memory  of  Hon.  William  H.  Seward,  who  had  passed  to 
his  rest  after  a  life  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  his  country. 

With  the  slight  interruptions  occasioned  by  his  travels  and 
legislative  service,  Mr.  Clapp  has  been  the  settled  pastor  of 
the  church  of  Carmel  for  a  longer  period  than  any  of  his 
predecessors;  a  service  which  we  trust  will  long  continue,  and 
be  in  the  future,  as  it  has  been  in  the  past,  blessed  with  re- 
sults for  good. 

He  married  Miss  Jane  Maria  Mesick  of  Albany,  May  18th, 
1846. 

The  surviving  children  of  this  marriage  are  Chester  S.  and 
Susie  M.,  wife  of  Dr.  R.  S.  Moore  of  New  York. 

After  the  decease  of  Mrs.  Clapp  at  Danbury,  November  12th, 


JSn^ib^JIBEalk  Sovslrr 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  323 

1855,  he  married  Mrs.  Catharine  D.  Kelley,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Drew,  June  11th,  1857. 

They  had  one  son,  Hon.  Henry  D.  Clapp  of  Carmel. 

As  a  natural  result  of  .his  long  pastorate  Mr.  Clapp  has  become 
fully  identified  with  the  social  and  religious  life  of  the  town 
and  county.  In  many  families  he  has  officiated  at  the  baptism, 
marriage  and  funerals  of  their  members,  and  shared  with  them 
in  sympathy  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  their  lives.  The  literary 
taste  of  the  community  has  been  greatly  advanced  by  a  large 
and  well  selected  library  of  the  choicest  literature,  a  very 
large  portion  of  which  has  been  donated  by  Mr.  Clapp  and  his 
son,  and  its  elevating  influence  has  not  failed  to  be  felt. 

Mr.  Clapp  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  New  York,  Boston 
&  Montreal  Eailroad,  now  the  New  York  and  Northern,  at  the 
time  of  its  building,  and  represented  the  interests  of  the  town 
in  that  enterprise,  a  position  which  required  no  small  degree 
of  business  capacity. 

From  his  long  continued  ministry,  ripe  scholarship,  sound 
judgment  and  ability,  Mr.  Clapp  is  justly  placed  at  the  head 
of  the  Baptist  denomination  iu  the  county,  and  the  "Faith 
once  delivered  to  the  Saints"  finds  in  him  an  able  exponent 
and  a  valiant  champion. 

Dates  from  the  old  burying  ground,  Carmel: — Hozea  Town- 
send,  died  June  24,  1833,  age  48:  Ivah,  wife,  April  10,  1838,  49; 
James  Hughson,  Dec.  22,  1834,  55;  Abigail,  wife,  March 8,  1848, 
59;  Christina  Roberts,  April  24,  1848,  86;  Dea.  Daniel  Cole,  Dec. 

10,  1831,' 85;  Susannah,  wife,  Nov.  3,1857,  102,  4  m.  8  d.;  Joseph 
Hopkins,  Jan.  31,  1833,  81;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Dec.  16,  1837,  82; 
Gen.  James  Townsend,  Mar.  13,   1832,  76;  Priscilla,  wife,    June 

11,  1839,  83;  Elder  Eben.  Cole,  Aug.  18,  1815,  61;  Mary,  wife, 
Aug.  30, 1806,  44;  Nathan  Crosby,  Oct.  7,  1805,  72;  Eunice,  wife, 
Jan.  17,  1821,  73;  Tracy  Ballard",  Jan.  1,  1829,  72;  Mercy,  wife, 
Feb.  8,  1826,  69;  James  Mead,  April  5,  1830,  58;  Lewis  Eobin- 
son,  killed  by  lightning.  May  27,  1810,  53;  Mary,  wife,  May  8, 
1838,  81;  David  Frost,  Jan.  8,  1818,  51;  Lydia,  wife,  Dec.  11, 
1816,  47;  Nathan  Fuller,  Dec.  12,  1811,  44;  Joseph  Tillot,  April 
24,  1818,  52;  Elijah  Fuller,  June  9,  1821,  77;  Martha,  wife,  May 
14,  1818,  76;  John  Kelley,  jr.,  June  27,  1818,  54;  Rachel,  widow 
of  John  Kelley,  jr.,  and  widow  of  Epenetus  Yeomans,  Mar.  4, 
1850,  72;    John  Griffin,    July  3,  1842,  69;  Mary,  wife,  Feb.  12, 


324  HISTORy    OF   PUTNAM   COUBTTy. 

1859,  88;  Doct.  Robert  Weeks,  May  14,  1816,  44;  Berry  Cole, 
May  29,  1835,  66;  Hannah,  wife,  Dec.  23,  1824,  47;  John  North- 
rup,  Aug.  30,  1829,  57;  Judah  Kelley,  Sept.  17,  1837,  80;  Lydia, 
wife.  May  28,  1818,  58:  Polly,  wife  of  Joseph  Northrup,  Jan.  9, 
1835,  93;  David  Dean,  April  24,  1860,  92;  Deborah,  wife.  May 
22,  1827,  58;  Abraham  Mabie,  Aug.  7,  1817,  90;  Sarah,  wife, 
Aug.  12,  1816,  87;  Abraham  Hill,  May  11,  1817,  70;  Hannah, 
wife,  July  5,  1818,  70;  Gilbert  Merritt,  March  4,  1821,  70;  Charles 
Agor,  Dec.  7,  1819,  95;  Cornelius  Organs,  Dec.  3,  1818,  52; 
Rachel,  wife,  Sept.  18,  1836,  73;  David  Frost,  April  8,  1847,  82. 
From  burying  ground  by  Baptist  Church,  Carmel: — Epenetus 
Yeomans,  died  Aug.  19,  1850,  age  75;  Ebehezer  Gay,  Feb.  19, 
1868,  79;  James  Kniffen,  Jan.  3,  1853,  73;  Uriah  Townsend,  Feb. 
1,  1864,  80;  Sally,  wife,  Sept.  14,  1843,  57;  Abijah  Townseftd, 
Nov.  5,  1838,  78;  Samuel  Wilson,  Jan.  16,  1844,  87;  Daniel 
Brown,  March  6,  1813,  43;  Phebe,  wife,  Feb.  2,  1848,  83;  David 
Merrick,  Nov.  22, 1863,  95;  Enoch  Crosby,  Sept.  1,  1862,  80;  Jane, 
wife,  Nov.  10,  1867,  83;  Wm.  Raymond,  April  18,  1833,  57; 
Hannah,  wife,  Jan.  9,  1841,  66. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  op  Caemel'. — In  1788 
Freeborn  Garrettson  and  his  assistant  preachers  introduced 
Methodism  up  the  Hudson  River  region,  and  it  very  rapidly 
spread  out  in  all  directions.  The  preachers  found  many  houses 
open  to  them  and  as  early  as  1789,  Lieutenant  Governor  Van 
Cortlandt,  near  Croton  River,  became  the  ardent  friend  of  the 
Methodist  preachers,  and  in  honor  of  him,  the  early  field  of 
work  throughout  this  region  was,  for  more  than  sixty  years, 
known  as  the  Cortlandt  circuit. 

For  many  years  the  worship  was  conducted  in  private  houses, 
and  later  in  the  Court  House.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society 
of  Carmel  was  incorporated  July  15th,  1834,  with  the  Rev. 
David  Holmes,  as  pastor  of  the  circuit,  and  for  trustees  the  fol- 
lowing, viz.:  Harry  Hanford,  Ezra  Bronson,  Harvey  Lounsbury, 
David  Kelley  and  William  Barnes.  An  eligible  building  lot 
was  deeded  to  the  society  August  29th,  1834,  by  Allen  Newman 
and  Amos  W.  Brown,  it  being  the  southern  portion  of  the 
property  on  which  the  church  now  stands.  The  first  church 
edifice  was  built  the  same  year.  It  was  a  wooden  structure  and 
plain  in  style,  but  it  taxed  the  resources  of  the  slender  society 
and  left  them  with  an  encumbrance. 
'This  sketch  was  furnished  by  Rev.  J.  W.  A.  Dodge. 


TOWlSr   OF   CARMEL. 


325 


The  first  Sunday  school  connected  with  this  church  was  or- 
ganized in  1852. 

This  first  edifice  was  quite  largely  repaired  and  improved, 
and  was  re- dedicated  in  February,  1853. 

In  1862  Carmel  was  made  a  separate  station,  with  the  chapel 
at  Drewville  connected  with  it.  A  house  and  lot  just  north  of 
the  church  were  purchased  of  Ambrose  Ryder  for  a  parsonage, 
and  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Smith  was  appointed  pastor.  The  next 
year  a  subscription  was  started  for  a  new  church  and  about 
$10,000  secured.  In  April,  1864,  Rev.  D.  L.  Marks  succeeded 
to  the  pastorate  and  the  project  of  building  moved  on;  the  par- 


METHODIST  CHUECH,    CAKMEL   VILLAGE. 


sonage  lot  was  taken  to  enlarge  the  church  lot  and  the  present 
parsonage  and  lot  were  bought  of  Hannah  Rundle;  the  old  church 
was  removed  and  is  now  occupied  in  part  by  the  Putnam  County 
National  Bank.  The  contract  for  the  present  stone  church  was 
let  to  Caleb  Wright  and  work  was  begun  in  the  summer  of  1864; 
the  contract  called  for  a  church  edifice  43^  by  70  feet,  with  spire 
100  feet  high,  and  the  chapel  30  by  40  feet,  with  17  feet  ceiling. 
The  chapel  was  completed  and  opened  for  worship  January 
1st,  1865.  The  church  was  dedicated  on  October  10th,  1865,  free 
of  debt,  by  Bishop  Simpson.     The  seats  are  free. 


326  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTZ. 

The  church  property,  organ,  bell,  parsonage  and  famishing 
cost  nearly  $40,000,  of  which  Daniel  Drew  contributed  a  large 
portion,  and  the  stone  tablet  over  the  door  still  bears  the  name, 
"Daniel  Drew  M.  E.  Church." 

The  elegant  pipe  organ  now  in  the  church  was  the  gift  of  D. 
D.  Chamberlain  and  cost  $3,500.  Mr.  W.  F.  Jewell  has  been 
for  some  years  the  organist  and  Prof.  S.  O.  Spencer  the 
precentor. 

The  church  property,  including  site,  buildings,  parsonage, 
etc.,  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  in  the  country.  The  member- 
ship is  a  little  over  one  hundred,  with  about  half  that  number 
in  the  Sunday  school. 

The  presence  of  the  "  Drew  Ladies'  Seminary,"  another  of 
Daniel  Drew's  benefactions,  has  been  quite  a  help  to  the  Sab- 
bath congregations,  and  the  faculty  of  the  seminary  have  been 
most  faithful  supporters  of  the  church  in  her  varied  interests, 
especially  Profs.  Q-eorge  Crosby  Smith  and  Stephen  Olin 
Spencer. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


TOWN  OF  CARMEL  (Continued.) 


Lake  Mahopac. — Hotels  and  Boarding  Houses. — Lake  Mahopac  Improvement 
Company. — Mahopac  Land  Company. — Putnam  Land  Company. — The  Islands 
of  Lake  Mahopac. — Lake  Mahopac  Methodist  Church. — Protestant  Episcopal 
Church. — Roman  Catholic  Church. — Union  Valley  Cemetery  and  Chapel. — 
Mount  Hope  Methodist  Chapel. — Red  Mills. — Mahopac  Iron  Ore  Company. — 
Red  Mills  Baptist  Church.— Red  Mills  Presbyterian  Church.— Rev.  Harris 
Rogers  Schenck. — Putnam  County  Seminary  Association. — Western  Part  of 
Carmel.  — Supervisors. 


LAKE  MAHOPAC,  the  pride  of  Putnam  county,  has  been 
associated  in  modern  times  with  all  that  is  beautiful  and 
romantic  in  rural  scenery,  all  that  is  gay  and  extravagant  in 
fashionable  life,  and  with  the  most  reckless  of  land  speculations. 
This  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  covering  an  area  of  603  acres,  and 
elevated  656  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  is  one  of  the  greatest 
attractions  of  the  country.  Tn  early  times  it  was  generally 
known  simply  as  the  "Big  pond,"  but  on  Erskine's  military  map 
it  is  noted  as  "  Mahopac  Pond,"  the  Indian  name  which  is  thus 
perpetuated  being  probably  the  equivalent  of  "Great  Lake," 
a  name  which,  in  comparison  with  the  others  in  the  county,  it 
justly  deserves.  It  was  also  known  as  "Hughson's  pond" 
from  Robert  Hughson,  who  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  lake 
at  the  time  of  the  Revolution. 

After  the  confiscation  of  the  property  of  Roger  Morris  and 
his  wife,  the  land  around  the  lake  was  sold  in  large  farms.  A 
large  tract  of  314  acres,  which  included  the  land  on  the  north- 
west side  of  the  lake,  and  extended  west  to  Kirk  Lake  and  in- 
cluded its  outlet,  and  also  the  famous  "Red  Mills,"  and  the 
large  island,  was  sold  to  William  Smith.  The  land  lying  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  Lake  Mahopac  and  on  the  north  side  of 
the  outlet  was  sold  to  John  Le  Clare.     This  embraced  89  acres 


328  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

on  the  south  side  of  this  outlet,  and  extending  for  some  dis- 
tance along  the  south  side  of  the  lake  was  a  farm  of  132  acres 
sold  to  Abigail  Clark.  The  "Dean House "  stands  on  this  tract. 
Next  to  the  above  farm,  extending  along  the  lake  to  a  point 
east  of  Ganung's  Island,  was  the  farm  of  Joseph  Gregory, 
which  included  130  acres.  Next  to  this,  including  the  lake 
shore  to  a  point  above  the  "Thompson  House,"  was  the  farm 
of  John  Drake,  which  extended  far  to  the  east  and  embraced  262 
acres.  Next  north  of  this  was  a  farm  sold  to  Peter  Mabie.  This 
was  a  tract  of  105  acres  and  began  on  the  lake  shore  at  a  point 
nearly  west  from  the  Methodist  church,  and  ran  east  to  the 
brook  which  is  the  outlet  of  the  Mud  Pond,  then  down  the 
same  for  some  distance,  and  then  extended  east  to  the  original 
east  line  of  Lot  5  of  Philipse  Patent,  then  south  along  this  line 
six  chains,  and  then  westerly  to  the  lake.  It  included  nearly 
all  the  shore  of  the  lake  between  the  Methodist  church  and  a 
point  a  short  distance  south  of  the  Carpenter  House. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution  one  "Dr.  Hamilton"  is  marked 
on  Erskine's  military  map  as  living  at  the  south  end  of  the 
point'of  land  that  projects  into  the  lake  and  forms  so  important 
a  portion  of  its  contour. 

The  original  farms  thus  sold  by  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feiture, were  soon  transferred  to  other  parties,  and  were  after- 
ward divided  among  many  owners.  Fifty- two  acres  of  land  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  Joseph  Gregory  farm  were  sold  to 
Abel  Smith,  April  24th,  1801,  by  Solomon  Kirkham  and  wife 
Hannah.  This  tract  lay  directly  opposite  what  is  known  as 
"Ganung's  Island"  and  Abel  Smith  had  his  house  on  it. 
March  15th,  1794,  Abel  Smith  bought  of  Paul  Secord  a  small 
tract  "Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  land  now  or  late 
belonging  to  the  widow  of  Samuel  Crane,  then  along  the  same 
southerly  to  the  highway,  then  west  by  the  highway  to  an  old 
coal  kiln  near  a  lalace  called  the  Indian  Cove;  from  thence  north 
to  a  large  pond,  and  then  by  said  pond  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, be  the  same  more  or  less."  This  last  tract  is  now  owned  by 
Stephen  Smith.  It  is  probable  that  what  is  now  known  as 
"  Hoguet's  Point  "  was  originally  a  part  of  the  Drake  farm, 
and  it  was  bought  by  Abel  Smith  at  the  beginning  of  the  present 
century.  After  his  death  it  fell  to  his  son,  Ahijah  Smith,  who 
sold  it  to  Anthony  Hoguet  September  15th,  1854,  who  owned  it 
till  the  time  of  his  death,  January  2d,  1875,  and  it  has  ever  since 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL.  329 

borne  his  name.  It  was  surveyed  and  divided  into  lots,  and  an 
elegant  map  filed  in  the  office  of  the  county  clerk,  but  the  dream 
of  its  purchaser,  to  see  it  the  site  of  beautiful  villas,  was  never 
realized.  To  the  west  of  Ganung's  Island  is  a  lot  of  two  acres 
which  was  sold  by  Ahijah  Smith  to  Peter  D.  Christie,  Sep- 
tember 20th,  1859,  and  left  by  him  in  his  will  to  Marion  De 
Lavarre,  a  lady  of  somewhat  romantic  history.  Upon  this  she 
built  a  beautiful  cottage,  which  is  one  of  the  ornaments  of  the 
place.  She  sold  the  premises  to  Lewis  H.  Gregory  and  Thad- 
deus  R.  Ganung  in  1870;  the  latter  transferred  his  share  to  Mr. 
Gregory  and  it  was  sold  by  mortgage  sale  to  Mr.  Thaddeus  R. 
Ganung,  its  present  owner. 

Up  bo  1834,  the  lake  was  scarcely  known  to  the  outside  world 
world,  except  by  the  reports  of  a  few  tourists  who  had  seen  its 
romantic  beauty.  In  that  year  Stephen  Monk,  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, purchased  from  Stephen  Thompson  one  acre  of  land 
adjoining  the  lake;  this  acre  was  a  part  of  the  Peter  Mabie  farm 
and  was  given  by  Mr.  Mabie  to  his  son-in-law,  Edward  Vermil- 
yea.  He  sold  it  to  William  Wright,  who  conveyed  it  to 
Stephen  Thompson  in  1822,  and  it  was  purchased  from  him  by 
Stephen  Monk,  December  26th,  1834;  this  lot  lies  on  the  south 
side  of  the  road  leading  from  the  railroad  station  to  the  lake 
and  is  the  same  site  on  which  the  famous  Gregory  House  after- 
ward stood.  Here  Mr.  Monk  erected  the  first  hotel  and  board- 
ing house  at  Lake  Mahopac.  The  house  stood  at  the  corner  of 
the  lot  and  close  to  the  road  which  runs  south  along  the  lake. 
His  hotel  soon  became  the  resort  of  tourists,  and  he  had  a 
liberal  amount  of  patronage,  although  the  only  means  of  ac- 
cess was  by  stages  from  Peekskill. 

Mr.  Monk,  though  a  popular  landlord,  did  not  become  wealthy 
here.  Business  troubles  soon  began  to  annoy  him  and  in  the 
newspaper  of  that  day  there  appeared  the  following  advertise- 
ment, the  forerunner  of  many  similar  ones  in  after  times: 

"  For  Sale.— Valuable  real  estate.  Will  be  sold  on  the  1st 
day  of  October  next  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  at  auction  at  the  resi- 
dence of  S.  Monk,  that  well  known  and  popular  resort,  the 
Mahopac  Hotel  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  together  with  about 
one  acre  of  land  on  which  the  said  Hotel  is  situated.  The 
undersigned  consider  that  this  property  is  so  well  known  and 
highly  appreciated  it  is  unnecessary  to  give  a  further  descrip- 
tion here. 


330  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  About  20  acres  of  excellent  woodland  at  the  head  of  the 
lake  and  five  acres  in  the  vicinity  of  the  premises  first  men- 
tioned will  be  sold  at  the  same  time. 

"  W.  W.  Taylor,  \  a  „„i„npps  of  S   Monk 
"  Elijah  Crane,    (  Assignees  ot  fe.  MonK. 

"  September  14.  1882.=' 

At  the  above  sale  the  hotel  and  the  acre  of  land  on  which  it 
stood  were  sold  to  Charles  W.  Schaflfer  and  George  W.  Shields 
for  $3,560.  The  premises  were  conveyed  by  them  to  Huldah 
Gregory  in  September,  1844.  The  piece  of  land  lying  directly 
opposite  the  west  end  of  the  road  which  runs  to  the  railroad 
station,  and  which  was  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  lake,  was  a 
part  of  the  old  Mabie  farm,  which  was  purchased  by  'Daniel 
Baldwin.  This  piece,  containing  about  an  acre  with  a  dwelling 
house,  was  sold  to  William  Nelson  by  the  administrators  of 
Daniel  Baldwin  in  September,  1842,  and  he  transferred  it  to 
Huldah  Gregory,  and  both  pieces,  with  the  buildings,  were 
conveyed  by  her  to  her  son.  Dr.  Lewis  H.  Gregory,  January 
26th',  1853.  Notwithstanding  these  various  sales  Stephen  Monk 
continued  to  conduct  the  hotel,  holding  the  premises  as  a  ten- 
ant and  making  the  owners  some  troable  to  get  possession.  He 
died  March  15th,  1859,  and  the  following  characteristic  notice 
appeared  in  the  newspapers  of  that  day. 

^'^  Death  of  Stephen  Monk. — This  somewhat  remarkable  habi- 
tue of  Carmel,  died  in  New  York  city  on  Tuesday  the  15th  inst. 
Mr.  Monk  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1803.  Many  members 
of  his  family  still  reside  in  that  State  and  hold  a  position  in 
the  highest  circles  of  society.  Mr.  Monk,  or  "  Old  Bolivar," 
as  he  was  familiarly  styled,  came  to  Putnam  county  in  the 
fall  of  1826,  and  a  short  tiuie  after  commenced  the  boot  and 
shoe  business  at  Lake  Mahopac.  Prior  to  this  period,  he  had 
been  leader  of  the  band  in  several  of  the  principal  travelling 
exhibitions  of  the  country. 

"  He  was  married  in  the  autum  of  1829  to  Miss  Clorinda  Crane, 
daughter  of  John  Crane,  jr.,  and  sister  of  the  late  Elijah  Crane. 
Shortly  after  his  marriage,  he  started  a  hotel  at  Lake  Mahopac, 
and  may  be  regarded  as  the  father  of  that  beautiful  summer 
resort.  Most  of  the  town  business  was  transacted  at  his  house, 
and  "Old  Bolivar"  was  instrumental  in  bringing  about  many 
important  improvements,  and,  indeed  deserves  the  credit  of 
establishing  the  Lake  in  the  hearts  of  the  pleasure  seekers  and 


TOWN  OF   CARMEL.  331 

tourists  of  the  metropolis.  He  kept  the  principal  Hotel  at 
Mahopac  tintil  the  year  1854,  when  circumstances  with  which 
the  public  are  familiar,  induced  him  to  relinquish  the  pro- 
prietorship. 

"  He  was  fifty-six  years  old  when  he  died,  and  leaves  a  wife 
and  seven  children.  He  had  been  sick  about  five  weeks.  He 
was  a  man  of  much  versatile  talent,  and  some  genius.  At  one 
period  of  his  life  he  was  considered  the  first  clarionette  player 
in  the  United  States.  He  was  entirely  a  self-taught  man;  and 
his  mechanical  dexterity  in  some  respects  was  marvellous.  Poor 
Bolivar!  We  remember  well  when  he  came  to  us  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  and  related  in  his  slow,  broken  accents  the  loss  of  his 
favorite  violin  at  the  burning  of  the  Crystal  Palace; — a  genuine 
Cremona,  a  centurj'^  and  a  half  old,  which  he  valued  as  priceless, 
and  for  which  he  had  refused  a  thousand  dollars.  His  face  had 
been  singularly  handsome  in  his  youth,  and  in  his  somewhat 
premature  age  retained  many  traces  of  its  former  beauty.  He 
had  a  large  heart,  and  no  man  ever  went  from  his  door  hungry; 
and  when  at  last  he  had  no  settled  home,  his  heart  and  purse 
were  always  open  for  the  destitute.  Had  he  been  less  liberal 
he  might  have  left  a  richer  legacy  to  his  heirs.  Everybody 
liked  him,  and  all  will  regret  his  decease.  His  remains  were  in- 
terred in  the  Crane  burying  groiand." 

From  the  time  of  his  purchase  till  the  day  of  his  death  Dr. 
Lewis  H.  Gregory  was  identified  with  the  progress  of  the  hotel 
business  at  Lake  Mahopac.  In  addition  to  the  original  hotel 
built  by  Monk,  he  enlarged  the  dwelling  which  stood  nearly  op- 
posite, and  it  was  generally  known  as  the  Mansion  House.  This 
building  took  fire  and  was  destroyed  January  18th,  1857,  being 
the  first  boarding  house  burned  at  the  lake.  Dr.  Gregory  en- 
larged his  premises  by  the  purchase  of  seventeen  acres  on  the 
south,  from  the  heirs  of  Ebenezer  Horton,  and  a  smaller  piece 
from  Pierre  Humbert.  The  old  Monk  house  was  moved  to  it 
and  a  large  boarding  house  was  erected  in  its  place  and  was  the 
most  extensive  building  of  the  kind  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
known  as  the  Gregory  House. 

All  of  the  original  Mabie  farm,  with  the  exception  of  the  acre 
which  came  into  the  possession  of  Stephen  Monk,  was  sold  by 
the  heirs  of  Peter  Mabie  to  Daniel  Baldwin  and  to  Sutton  and 
Samuel  Vail.  The  latter  sold  their  part  to  Mr.  Baldwin,  who 
by  other  purchases  became  one  of   the  largest  land   owners 


332  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

around  the  lake,  and  some  of  the  property  still  remains  in  the 
hands  of  his  descendants.  In  the  spring  of  1853  Reuben  D. 
Baldwin  built  a  large  boarding  house  on  the  north  side  of  the 
road  and  opposite  the  Gregory  House;  this  was  blown  down 
while  in  process  of  erection  by  a  furious  gale  which  occurred 
March  25th.  In  1858  John  W.  Carpenter  came  to  this  place  and 
built  the  house  which  bears  his  namd,  and  it  was  conducted  by 
him  as  a  first-class  boarding  house  till  1868  when  it  was  sold  to 
Alvah  Hyatt,  but  soon  came  back  to  its  former  owner. 

About  1849  the  Harlem  Railroad  was  completed  as  far  as 
Croton  Falls.  The  tide  of  travel,  which  up  to  that  time  had  been 
from  Peekskill,  turned  at  once  to  the  former  place.  During 
the  height  of  the  boarding  season  there  was  a  constant  travel 
up  the  highway  leading  from  Croton  Falls  to  the  lake,  and  by 
an  act  of  Legislature  in  1859,  commissioners  were  employed  to 
straighten  and  improve  this  road  and  under  their  management 
it  became  one  of  the  best  highways  in  the  county',  and  on  the 
arrival  of  trains  on  the  Harlem  Road,  coaches  belonging  to  the 
various  boarding  houses,  drawn  by  four,  six  and  even  ten  horse 
teams,  urged  on  by  drivers  who  strived  to  emulate  Jehu  of  old, 
made  remarkably  quick  time  in  reaching  their  destination. 

Among  the  well  known  citizens  of  the  place  in  the  days  before 
boarders  and  boarding  houses  were  thought  of,  was  Stephen 
Thompson,  who  came  from  Connecticut  and  set  up  the  business 
of  hat,  making  at  the  lake.  Nathan  L.  Thompson,  his  son,  also 
came  from  Connecticut  and  bought  a  lot  of  four  or  five  acres  by 
the  lake'.  Here  he  established  the  business  of  hat  making  which 
he  continued  for  many  years.  The  following  advertisement  ap- 
pears in  the  local  paper: 

"  Nathan  L.  Thompson  has  opened  a  Shop  on  the  south  shore 
of  the  celebrated  Lake  Mahopac  where  he  offers  for  sale  ready 
made  hats  of  his  own  manufacturing,  cheap  for  cash. 

"  Wanted. — The  subscriber  wants  an  apprentice  to  the  HAT 
making  business;  a  lad  of  16  or  17  years  of  age,  of  steady  habits, 
and  one  who  can  come  well  recommended,  enquire  of 

"N.  L.  Thompson. 
"Lake  Mahopac,  Sept.  9th,  1846." 

'  The  old  road  ran  a  short  distance  north  of  the  present  one  for  some  distance, 
and  near  the  house  of  Judge  Edward  Wriglit. 

^The  Thompson  House  stands  on  the  original  Drake  farm.  This  part  of  it  was 
owned  in  the  early  part  of  this  century  by  Elias  Mabie  and  afterward  by  Henry 
S.  Baldwin,  who  sold  to  Thompson. 


TOWN    OF   OARMEL.  333 

About  1851  Mr.  Thompson  began  to  entertain  boarders,  com- 
mencing in  a  small  way  and  gradually  enlarging  his  accommo- 
dations till  he  could  entertain  three  hundred  guests.  This  hotel 
was  burned  July  6th,  1869,  and  was  at  once  rebuilt  on  a  much 
larger  scale  and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  the  Thompson  House 
has  been  the  most  permanently  profitable  of  any  of  its  kind. 

Octotjer  5th,  1869,  the  Baldwin  House,  which  stood  north  of 
the  Gregory. House,  was  burned,  and  it  has  never  been  rebuilt. 
The  curiously  shaped  building  now  on  the  premises,  which 
attracts  the  attention  of  travellers,  was  originally  the  carriage 
house  and  barn  of  the  hotel.  The  loss  by  this  fire  is  said-  to 
have  been  $50,000,  and  the  lot  was  sold  to  several  persons  by  the 
assignees  of  Reuben  D.  Baldwin. 

South  of  the  Carpenter  House  is  the  "  Kaufman  Place."  This 
was  a  farm  of'  99  acres  which  had  once  been  a  portion  of 
the  original  Drake  farm  and  had  been  purchased  by  Daniel 
Baldwin.  In  1867  it  was  sold  by  Henry  S.  Baldwin  to  Samuel 
Kaufman  for  $30, 000.  At  that  time  there  was  a  comfortable 
farm  house  on  the  premises,  which  was  the  Baldwin  homestead. 
Kaufman  is  said  to  have  expended  $150,000  on  the  place.  It  was 
the  oft  repeated  story  of  heavy  mortgages  with  the  usual  result, 
and  it  is  now  held  by  the  Nevada  Bank. 

The  old  Hughson  farm  at  the  north  end  of  the  lake  remained 
in  a  state  of  primeval  simplicity  till  a  comparatively  recent  date. 
It  was  sold  by  the  Hughson  family  to  Stephen  Dingee  and  by 
him  to  Benjamin  Ballard,  whose  heirs  conveyed  it  to  his  brother, 
Selah  Ballard,  and  it  was  sold  by  him  to  Lewis  B.  Grrifiin',  March 

'Lewis  B.  Grriffin  came  from  New  York  where  he  had  made  a  comfortable  for- 
tune by  building  docks.     He  died  about  1860,  leaving  no  children.     Near  the 
middle  of  this  farm  is  a  small  burying  ground  where  rest  some  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  this  neighborhood.    The  following  dates  are  from  tombstones: 
Mr.  Samuel  Wixom,  died  April  11th,  1803.     Age,  64. 
Benjamin  Griffin,  born  1747,  died  May  26,  1835    " 
Phebe,  wife  of  Benj.  Griffin,    "    Dec.  11,  1849    "    93. 
John  Griffin  "    April  16,  1855  "    67. 

Michael  Sloat  "    Aug.  4,  1815     "     58. 

EUsha  Baldwin  "    Oct.  19,  1816     "    65. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  "    June  3,  1831      "     76. 

Ja'ny  34 
J.  B. 

DIED  AGED  70 
1780. 

(This  last  inscription  is  supposed  to  mark  the  grave  of  James  Baldwin,  the  an- 
cestor of  the  Baldwin  family). 

Mary,  wife  of  Shubael  Wixom,  3d  Feb.  6,  1801,  age  31. 
Elijah  Wright,  November  11,  1837  "    45. 


334  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

27th,  1841,  for  $12,500.  It  remained  in  his  possession  till  the 
time  of  his  death,  with  the  exception  of  two  small  pieces,  one 
of  24  acres,  which  was  sold  by  him  Augnst  12th,  1856,  to  Wil- 
liam Tilden,  and  another  of  1]  acres,  sold  in  1855  to  Elias  H. 
Herrick. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Griffin  the  remainder  of  the  farm, 
with  some  additional  land,  was  sold  under  a  partition  suit  by 
Odle  Close,  Referee,  to  Isabel  Saportas,  wife  of  Edward 
Saportas,  July  1st,  1863.  The  extreme  south  end  of  the  Hugh- 
son  farm  on  the  east  side  of  the  lake  was  bought  by  John  Crane, 
who  owned  a  large  farm  to  the  east  of  this.  The  part  bought 
by  him  included  the  land  where  the  Lake  House  now  stands 
and  some  distance  to  the  north  and  east.  John  Crane  gave  this 
with  a  large  farm  besides  to  his  son,  Nathaniel  Crane,  Sep- 
tember 2d,  1826.  Nathaniel  Crane  sold  the '  lot  where  the 
Methodist  church  now  stands  to  the  trustees  of  the  church.  The 
small  white  house  standing  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  nearly 
opposite  the  east  end  of  the  boulevard  was  built  by  Nathaniel 
Crane,  for  his  son-in-law,  Amnion  Fowler,  but  was  sold  by  him 
to  Lewis  B.  Griffin,  together  with  80  acres  of  land  adjoining. 
May  3d,  1846,  and  he  sold  the  house  with  the  land  around  it  to 
Elias  H.  Herrick  and  it  now  belongs  to  his  widow. 

Shortly  after  his  purchase,  William  Tilden  erected  the  elegant 
stone  mansion  which  stands  on  the  north  shore  overlooking 
the  lake,  and  it  is  still  in  possession  of  his  famil.y.  On  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  lake,  at  the  outlet,  was  the  original 
Abigail  Clark  farm.  A  large  part  of  this  was  afterward  owned 
by  Devoe  Bailey,  who  by  various  purchases  became  one  of  the 
largest  land  owners  in  the  county,  his  lands  extending  from 
the  lake  to  the  Westchester  line  This  tract  he  left  to  his  son, 
William,  who  sold  it  to  James  Seeley,  and  in  1852  it  was  sold  to 
Amzi  L.  Dean.  Upon  it  he  built  a  boarding  house,  beginning 
on  a  small  scale,  and  gradually  enlarging  till  it  became  an  ex- 
tensive business,  which  has  descended  to  his  sons. 

The  "Summit  House,"  a  hotel  built  about  1856  bj^  Amzi 
Slawson,  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  about  sixty  rods  west 
of  the  Dean  House,  was  burned  January  1st,  1865,  and  never 
rebuilt. 

When  the  various  boarding  houses  around  the  lake  were 
filled  to  their  full  capacity  the  place  presented  an  appearance 
of  gaiety  and  fashionable  life  equal  to  any  of  the  famous  water- 


TOWN   OF   CAKMEL.  335 

ing  places  of  the  country,  and  Lake  Mahopac  was  mentioned  in 
the  same  category  with  Newport  and  Saratoga. 

In  the  spring  of  1871  the  jffospect  of  extending  the  New 
York  City  &  Northern  Railroad  to  Carmel  seemed  favorable, 
and  to  get  in  advance  of  this  enterprise  the  Harlem  Railroad 
Company  planned  a  road  from  Grolden's  Bridge  to  Lake  Ma- 
hopac. Articles  of  incorporation  were  speedily  executed  for 
the  "  New  York  and  Mahopac  Railroad"  and  the  work  of  sur- 
vey and  building  began  at  once,  and  was  so  rapidly  carried  on 
that  the  first  train  ran  through  to  the  lake  on  July  4th,  1871. 
Upon  this  occasion  there  was  a  grand  celebration,  and  Lake 
Mahopac  was  in  the  height  of  its  glory. 

About  this  time  was  organized  a  company  whose  career  is  a 
very  important  chapter  in  the  history  of  this  section  of  country. 
The  "  Lake  Mahopac  Improvement  Company  "  was  incorporated 
March  8th,  1871,  its  object  being  "The  erection  of  buildings 
and  laying  out  and  subdivisions  of  lands  with  building  lots  or 
villa  plots  at  Lake  Mahopac." 

The  capital  stock  of  tlie  company  was  $1,000,000  and  the 
trustees  were  Joseph  Seligman,  Demas  Barnes,  Henry  Knicker- 
bocker, Uranus  H.  Crosby,  Alfred  B.  Darling,  William  Moller, 
Andrew  McKenney  and  John  H.  Cheever.  The  company  pur- 
chased several  tracts  of  land,  paying  for  them  extravagant 
sums,  making  partial  pajnnents  and  giving  mortgages  as  se- 
curity for  the  remainder. 

A  very  prominent  character  in  this  enterprise  was  Uranus  H. 
Crosby,  who  obtained  some  property  and  more  celebrity  by 
drawing  the  opera  house  in  Chicago  in  a  lottery.  He  bought 
many  pieces  of  land  here  and  sold  them  at  a  large  advance  to 
the  Improvement  Company. 

The  Grregory  House,  which  stood  near  the  site  of  Stephen 
Monk's  Hotel,  and  was  built  by  Dr.  Lewis  H.  Gregory,  was  sold 
by  him  to  Andrew  McKenney  in  April,  1871.  In  part  payment 
he  took  a  farm  in  Connecticut  where  he  made  his  home  for  a 
short  time.  McKenney  transferred  the  property  to  the  Mahopac 
Improvement  Company  the  same  year.  The  premises,  being 
heavily  mortgaged,  were  sold  by  John  Gr.  Miller,  referee,  to  Dr. 
Gregory,  in  May,  1875,  and  he  again  took  charge  of  the  hotel 
which  had  not  been  very  prosperous  during  the  interval.  The 
incumbrances  on  the  estate  were  such  that  on  April  26th,  1877, 
it  was  again  sold  by  Walter  Edwards,   referee,  to  .Edwin  A. 


336  HISTOKY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

McAlpine,  who  took  possession.  On  the  2d  of  October.  1878, 
occurred  an  event  which  will  be  long  remembered,  and  which 
was  thus  described  in  a  local  newspaper. 

"  The  well  known  Gregory  House,  at  Lake  Mahopac,  was  en- 
tirely consumed  by  fire  on  Tuesday  morning  last.  It  had  been 
closed  for  the  season,  and  at  the  time  of  the  fire  was  occupied 
by  Mr.  Perry  and  his  family  only.  On  Monday  Mr.  Gregory 
had  removed  his  horses  and  wagons,  and  his  live  stock,  to  his 
place  in  Connecticut,  and  was  there  when  the  fire  occurred.  It 
commenced  at  the  north  end,  and  in  a  very  short  time  the  im- 
mense structure  was  reduced  to  ashes,  together  with  its  furni- 
ture. Mr.  Perry,  who  has  been  connected  with  the  house  the 
present  season,  occupied  the  southern  end  and  the  most  of  his 
furniture  was  saved.  What  was  known  as  "Monk  House,"  a 
small  building  in  the  rear  of  the  main  house,  was  also  destroyed. 
Conjecture  is  rife  as  to  the  fire,  but  nothing  definite  has  been 
ascertained.  The  insurance  amounts  to  $92,000,  divided  be- 
tween twenty  or  twenty-five  companies,  which  will  cover  the 
loss.  Mr.  McAlpine,  the  owner  of  the  property,  is  in  Europe. 
The  furniture  was  mostly  owned  by  Mr.  Gregory,  and  Mr.  T. 
R.  Ganung,  of  the  Lake,  had  an  interest  in  it  also. 

"  The  destruction  of  this  popular  summer  resort  will  prove  a 
severe  blow  to  the  prosperity  of  Lake  Mahopac,  and  we  fear  it 
will  be  a  long  time  before  an  establishment  equal  to  the  Gregorj'^ 
will  be  biiilt  in  that  locality." 

The  original  hotel  of  Stephen  Monk  had  been  removed  to  a 
short  distance  from  the  main  building  and  thus  perished  the 
oldest  and  largest  of  the  hotels  of  Lake  Mahopac.  It  was  never 
rebuilt.     The  vacant  lot  is  still  owned  by  McAlpine. 

The  Improvement  Company,  after  their  purchase,  began  to 
plan  improvements  on  an  extensive  scale.  The  first  was  the 
laying  out  and  opening  the  Boulevard  on  the  north  and  west 
sides  of  the  lake;  thus  making  a  magnificent  drive  around  the 
whole  circumference.  July  4th,  1871,  there  was  a  grand  cele- 
bration, the  event  being  the  opening  of  the  Boulevard,  which 
had  been  in  progress  for  some  time  under  a  large  force  of  en- 
gineers, mechanics  and  laborers.  Upon  this  occasion  the  corner 
stone  of  the  "National  Museum  of  Natural  History,"  was 
laid. 

It  would  be  a  difficult  matter  to  find  this  corner  stone  at  the 
present  time,  but  the  place  where  it  was  laid  was  a  little  west 


TOWK   OP   OARMEL.  337 

of  the  old  GrifBn  House,  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Badeau.  There 
was  a  grand  cavalcade,  and  the  day  closed  with  a  fancy  dress  ball 
at  which  all  the  beauty  and  chivalry  of  the  place  were  present. 
In  a  local  paper  occurs  this  statement:  "  The  Land  Improve- 
ment Company  are  preparing  a  large  map  under  the  direction 
of  Gren.  Viele.  It  shows  an  area  of  four  miles  square.  It  is  a 
big  thing  on  paper  and  may  possibly  be  the  fact  in  the  future. 
If  so  Lake  Mahopac  will  be  the  Arcadia  of  America,  and  will 
eclipse  all  other  watering  places  in  the  country." 

When  the  Griffin  farm  was  bought  by  Isabel  Saportas,  her 
husband  erected  a  house  on  the  border  of  the  lake,  which  he 
occupied  for  a  time.  It  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the 
outlet  of  Wixsom  Pond  aad  as  a  stroke  of  business  the  com- 
pany sold  this  place  to  Peter  B.  Sweeney,  of  New  York,  for 
$47,000,  it  being  generally  understood  that  the  true  object  was 
to  induce  others  of  the  notorious  "Tweed  Ring"  to  take  a  fancy 
to  the  real  estate  around  Lake  Mahopac,  and  to  expend  upon  it 
some  of  the  boundless  wealth  stolen  from  the  city  of  New 
York;  this  attempt  however  was  frustrated  by  the  collapse  of 
the  noted  combination  which  followed  the  downfall  of  its 
leader. 

Among  the  many  projects  it  was  proposed  in  1872  to  erect  a 
"  Musical  and  Art  College"  at  the  lake.  This  establishment 
was  to  be  430  feet  in  length,  300  feet  wide,  with  a  tower  230  feet 
high.  It  was  to  contain  400  suites  of  rooms,  and  a  music  hall  to 
seat  2,500  persons.  It  is  needless  to  state  that  this  "Castle  in 
the  air  "  never  had  a  more  substantial  existence.  The  following- 
extracts  from  the  local  papers  show  the  fate  of  this  company: 

"  May  1,  1875. — A  few  years  ago  a  number  of  gentlemen, 
many  of  whom  were  interested  in  our  new  railroad,  combined 
and'forraed  an  organization  known  as  the  Lake  Mahopac  Im- 
provement Company.  They  purchased  a  large  amount  of  real 
estate  at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Lake,  including  several  hotels 
and  other  valuable  properties.  The  prices  paid  at  the  time  were 
regarded  by  many  of  our  most  careful  citizens  as  beyond  the 
real  value,  and  naturally  enough  had  a  tendency  to  inflate  real 
estate  valuations  in  that  vicinity.  The  result  was  that  property 
soon  reached  a  point  where  only  the  wealthy  could  purchase, 
and  there  it  has  remained  until  the  present  time,  a  sort  of  white 
elephant  in  the  hands  of  its  owners,  with  little  prospect  of  speedy 
realization  therefrom. 

32 


338  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  The  plans  of  the  company  on  the  start  were  well  laid  and  in 
ordinary  times,  not  altogether  lacking  in  iinancial  sagacity.  It 
was  intended  to  utilize  the  matchless  natural  advantages  of  Lake 
Mahopac,  by  converting  the  grounds  in  the  vicinity  into  a  sort 
of  Arcadia,  and  causing  to  be  erected  thereon  an  endless  chain 
of  beautiful  villas,  for  the  summer  homes  of  wealth,  fashion  and 
culture.  Our  chief  regret  is  that  a  combination  of  circumstances, 
beyond  the  control  of  human  forethought,  has  prevented  a  reali- 
zation of  the  hopes  of  the  originators  of  the  project.  The  hard 
times  have  reached  them  as  well  as  every  other  business  inter- 
est, and  we  find  the  wolf  barking  at  their  door,  and  in  such  loud 
tones  as  to  create  well  grounded  apprehension  as  to  the  ifltimate 
success  of  the  improvement  enterprise. 

"A  portion  of  the  property  owned  by  the  Company — that 
known  as  the  Saportas  or  Griffin  Farm — has  already  passed 
under  the  hammer,  and  this  week  we  have  four  more  foreclosure 
sales  advertised.  They  will  take  place  at  the  Thompson  House, 
Lake  Mahopac,  on  the  10th  of  June.  The  iirst  on  the  list  is  the 
Carpenter  property,  which  is  foreclosed  by  Mr.  Alvah  Hyatt, 
under  a  third  mortgage  of  $2,000.  There  is  a  $20,000  mortgage 
ahead  of  his.  Next  is  the  James  D.  Ganung  farm,  situate  east 
of  the  Lake.  The  mortgage  is  foreclosed  by  Mrs.  Mary  Ganung. 
The  sum  claimed  is  811,500.  The  third  is  the  Lake  House, 
known  as  the  Slawson  property,  and  occupied  by  J.  G.  Cole. 
It  is  sold  under  a  mortgage  held  by  Mr.  Seeley  Slawson  for 
$5,000.  The  fourth  and  last  on  the  list  is  the  Isaac  D.  Barrett 
farm,  situate  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Mahopac.  The  mortgage  is 
foreclosed  by  Mr.  Thaddeus  R.  Ganung,  under  a  claim  of  $5,000. 
Thus  is  gradually  fading  out,  under  time  and  circumstances, 
the  once  promising  and  supposed  powerful  Lake  Mahopac  Im- 
provement Company."  • 

"  Foreclosure  sales  at  Mahopac,  May  12,  1875. — On  Thursday 
last  several  important  foreclosure  sales  took  place  at  Lake  Ma- 
hopac, of  land  belonging  to  the  Improvement  Company.  The 
first  sold  was  the  Slawson  House  or  Ballard  property.  It  was 
struck  off  to  C.  H.  Dewing,  of  New  York,  for  $5,705.  Mr.  D. 
had  a  judgment  against  the  Company  for  8100,000  which  is  a 
first  lien  on  all  the  property  after  the  mortgages  are  satisfied. 
The  next  parcel  was  the  Barrett  property,  west  of  the 
Lake,  which  was  foreclosed  by  Mr.  T.  R.  Ganung.  It  was  pur- 
chased by  Mr.    Dewing  for  $5,935,  subject  to  a   mortgage  of 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL.  339 

$6,400.  The  Ganung  farm,  consisting  of  63  acres  together 
with  a  five  acre  wood  lot  west  of  the  lake,  was  next  knocked 
down  to  the  same  party  at  $11,471,  reserving  right  of  way  for 
railroad.  The  fourth  and  last  sold  was  the  J.  W.  Carpen- 
ter property,  which  was  also  purchased  by  the  same  party,  for 
$1,700  subject  to  two  mortgages,  one  for  $13,000,  and  the  other 
for  $3,500.  The  sale  was  in  the  interest  of  Mr.  Alvah  Hyatt. 
Mr.  Dewing,  who  purchased  all  the  property,  is  supposed  to  be 
one  of  a  number  of  members  of  the  Company  who  propose  to 
eat  up  all  the  little  fish,  and  then  reorganize  the  Company  on  a 
stronger,  basis." 

"Mahopac  Improvement  Company,  Jan.,  1879. — An  applica- 
tion was  made  to  Judge  Barrett  in  the  Supreme  Court,  Cham- 
bers, on  Saturday  the  25th  inst.,  by  a  majority  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  Lake  Mahopac  Improvement  Company  for  the  dissolu- 
tion of  that  corporation.  The  applicants  were  Messrs.  A.  V. 
Stout,  Joseph  Seligman,  John  H.  Cheever,  William  H.  Griiion, 
Christopher  Myer,  John  Q.  Hoyt,  and  Andrew  McKinney.  The 
company  was  incorporated  in  March,  1871,  to  exist  for  30  years, 
with  a  nominal  capital  of  $1,000,000  divided  into  10,000  shares 
of  $100  each.  Of  the  entire  number  of  shares,  2,500  were  is- 
sued for  cash.  The  remaining  7,500  were  issued  in  payment  for 
land  acquired  by  the  corporation  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Ma- 
hopac. Altogether  the  company  obtained  control  of  714  acres 
of  land,  which  it  began  to  lay  out  into  villa  plots,  and  to  im- 
prove otherwise.  Before  the  work  of  improvement  was  com- 
pleted the  financial  crisis  of  1873  affected  the  operations  and  de- 
j)reciated  the  value  of  the  company's  propery.  Being  unable 
^  to  sell  any  of  the  land  the  company  mortgaged  it  heavily,  and 
then  having  no  ready  money,  borrowed  more  money  to  pay 
taxes  and  the  interest  upon  the  mortgages.  When  no  more 
money  could  be  borrowed  the  mortgages  were  foreclosed,  and 
all  but  35  acres  of  land  was  sold  out.  These  35  acres,  say  the 
petitioners,  are  still  in  the  possession  of  the  company,  but  the 
mortgages  and  judgments  against  the  land  more  than  cover  its 
value.  The  corporation  has  been  insolvent  for  two  years  and 
has  done  no  business  for  over  a  year.  Judge  Barrett  referred 
the  petition  to  ex-Judge  L.  Fancher,  with  instructions  to  ob- 
tain the  views  of  the  creditors  of  the  'corporation  with  respect 
to  its  dissolution,  and  also  to  ascertain  its  exact  financial  condi- 
tion." 


340  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Upon  the  ruins  of  "The  Mahopac  Improvement  [Company" 
sprang  up  the  "Mahopac  Land  Company,"  which  was  organ- 
ized November  1st,  1875,  the  object  being  the  "laying  out  and 
subdivision  of  land  into  building  lots  and  villa  plots  at  Lake 
Mahopac."  The  capital  was  $200,000  and  the  trustees  were  John 
H.  Cheever,  John  Q.  Hoyt,  William  H.  Guion,  Henry  Knicker- 
bocker, Andrew  McKinney,  E.  R.  Wiggins  and  James  Johnson. 
This  company  purchased,  through  Charles  H.  Dewing,  several 
tracts  which  were  sold  under  mortgage  against  the  former  com- 
pany and  came  to  a  similar  end. 

The  "  Putnam  Land  Company,"  the  successor  of  the  preced- 
ing, was  organized  April  11th,  1878,  with  the  same  object,  and 
with  a  capital  of  $49,000.  The  trustees  were  Joseph  Seligman, 
William  H.  Breeden,  Andrew  V.  Stout,  John  R.  Ford  and 
Christopher  Myer.  This  company  still  has  existence,  and  owns 
much  land  on  the  north  side  of  the  lake.  The  persons  who  en- 
gaged in  a  legitimate  boarding  house  business  all  did  well  and 
were  pecuniarily  successful,  but  the  speculators  all  came  to 
grief  and  made  a  wretched  failure. 

The  three  islands  in  Lake  Mahopac  form  a  very  conspicuous 
feature  of  the  landscape  and  claim  an  esjjecial  notice.  The 
largest,  or  Grand  Island  as  it  is  called,  was  sold  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  forfeiture  to  William  Smith,  May  16th,  1781,  the 
deed  describing  it  as  "  the  large  island  in  the  large  pond  called 
Hustin's  Pond."  It  was  sold  by  him  to  Robert  Johnson,  pre- 
vious to  1800,  and  remained  in  his  possession  till  the  time  of 
his  death,  June  19th,  1823,  when  it  descended  to  his  son,  Wil- 
liam H.  Johnson,  who  died  January  28th,  1828,  and  by  the 
terms  of  his  will  his  executors  were  authorized  to  sell  his  real 
estate.  The  island  was  sold  by  Ward  B.  Howard  and  others, 
executors  of  William  H.  Johnson,  to  Silas  Slawson,  December 
24th,  1828,  for  $550.  He  sold  it  to  Samuel  Myrrick,  who  mort- 
gaged it  to  the  Westchester  County  Bank,  and  it  finally  came 
into  the  possession  of  that  institution.  The  president  and 
officers  of  the  bank  sold  it  to  Lewis  H.  Gregory,  July  18th, 
1870,  for  $6,000.  By  foreclosure  of  mortgage  it  was  sold  by 
George  Anderson,  referee,  to  Elias  B.  Brown  and  Richard 
George,  October  1st,  1879,  and  they  remain  its  owners.  A  valu- 
able mine  of  iron  ore  exists  on  the  island,  which  is  now  being 
worked  by  them.  In  the  days  of  the  glory  of  the  Mahopac 
Improvement  Company,  it  was  proposed  to  build  a  large  hotel 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL.  341 

on  the  island,  and  run  a  steam  ferry  to  the  mainland,  a  jjroject 
which  was  never  realized.  A  cove  on  the  shore,  opposite  the 
island,  has  ever  borne  the  name  of  Indian  Cove,  and  an  emi- 
nence back  of  it  is  known  as  Indian  Hill.  The  lake  and  its 
shore  seem  to  have  been  a  favorite  resort  of  the  aborigines. 

Tradition  states  that  upon  this  island  was  held  the  last  coun- 
cil of  the  Indian  tribe  that  once  ruled  all  the  land  around. 
This  council  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  propo- 
sition to  remove  with  other  tribes  to  the  far  West.  Canopus, 
the  aged  Sachem  of  the  tribe,  urged  his  followers  to  reject  the 
proposal,  and  to  rally  to  the  defense  of  their  empire  and  the 
graves  of  their  ancestors;  and  his  impassioned  eloquence  de- 
termined the  council  against  the  proposed  removal.  This  le- 
gend has  been  written  in  elegant  verse  by  John  W.  Lee,  Esq., 
of  New  York. 

"  Once  the  airy  curtain  lifted,  and  the  shadows  rolling  back, 
Shadows  of  the  years  that  hover  o'er  the  lake  of  Mahopac, 
Showed  me  Indian  wariors  gathered  in  the  wooded  island  dell 
Which  the  rookS  all  worn  and  moss-clad,  and  the  waters  guarded  well. 

"  Then  upon  the  ledge  above  them,  rose  an  aged,  yet  stalwart  form, 
Like  some  monarch  of  the  forest  bending  never  to  the  storm; 
Eose  the  Chieftain  of  the  Island  with  that  bearing  of  a  King 
Which  the  pride  of  birth  may  strive  for,  but  the  soul  alone  can  Bring. 

"  Turned  his  eagle  gaze  upon  them,  and  with  voice  as  clarion  clear 
Waked  the  dreamers,  and  the  waiting,  wearied  maiden  sleeping  near, 
'  Rouse  Mahicans,  sons  of  heroes!  keep  your  ancient  hoHor  bright, 
I  have  seen  you  in  the  battle — ye  were  lions  in  the  fight. 

"  'I  have  seen  you  in  the  council,  when  the  watch-fire  lit  the  glen. 
And  the  clouds  of  war  hung  o'er  us,  ye  were  all  undaunted  then, 
When  the  faggots  blazed  around  you,  all  defiant  in  your  pain; 
I  have  heard  you  chant  your  death  song.  Chieftains  now  be  men  again. 

"  'Snake  or  traitor  hissed  that  whisper,  sell  your  forest  there  is  rest. 
On  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  on  the  praries  of  the  West 
Who  the  craven  counsel  utters?  Let  him  in  the  fire-light  stand 
Nay  he  dares  not,  crouching  coward,  palsied  be  thy  trembling  hand. 

"  'When  the  pale  face,  rushing  on  thee,  grasps  thy  hatchet  and  thy  bow 
Hark,  the  Spirit,  Stand,  Mahicans;  guard  your  forest,  meet  the  foe 
By  the  memory  of  our  empire;  by  the  mounds  along  the  bank, 
Where  our  fathers  hear  the  moaning  of  the  river  Kichtawanc. 

"  'Brothers,  gird  you  for  the  struggle;  breast  to  breast  and  eye  to  eye, 
Let  us  swear  the  oath  of  glory — one  to  conquer  one  to  die, 
Sound  once  more  your  ancient  war  cry;  sound  it  from  the  mountains  steep, 
Where  the  eagle  hath  her  eyrie,  and  the  rocks  their  vigils  keep. 


342  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  'Twice  ten  thousand  shouts  shall  answer  from  the  river  to  the  sea. 
Dare  nor  falter!  Fear  is  failure!  Craven  hearted,  will  ye  flee  ? 
Go!  yet  on  the  darkening  future,  read  the  sentence  of  your  doom 
As  in  letters  of  the  lightning,  traced  upon  a  scroll  of  gloom. 

"  'Go!  the  western  tribes  shall  meet  you,  ye  will  be  an  handful  then, 
And  shall  perish  in  your  weakness — perish  from  the  minds  of  men 
Like  your  rushing  highland  river,  in  its  mountains  wild  and  free 
In  the  ocean  lost  forever.     Thus  shall  be  your  destiny.'  " 

The  next  smaller  island  in  the  lake,  called  Petra  Island, 
was  sold  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  to  James  Cock, 
January  10th,  1782,  "Being  all  that  island  in  the  great  pond 
called  Hueston's  pond,  known  and  distinguished  by  the  name 
of  Hueston's  island  estimated  to  be  six  acres  more  or  less."  The 
price  paid  was  three  pounds.  James  Cock  is  supposed  to  have 
sold  it  to  Peter  Mabie  who  owned  it  at  the  beginning  of  the 
century  and  was  generally  known  as  "Mabie's  island."  After 
his  death  it  was  sold  by  his  son,  Levi  Mabie,  to  Sutton  and 
Samuel  Vail,  September  5th,  1818.  They  mortgaged  it  with 
other  property  to  Henry  Strang  and  it  came  into  his  possession. 
It  was  sold  by  Washington  Strang  and  others,  executors  of 
Henry  Strang,  to  Pierre  Humbert,  a  native  of  France,  May  3d, 
1862,  for  Sl,500,  and  he  sold  it  to  Dr.  Lewis  H.  Gregory  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1866.  It  remained  in  his  possession  till  September 
15th,  1879,  when  it  was  sold  by  George  Anderson,  referee,  to 
Judge  Ambrose  Ryder,  and  it  was  conveyed  by  him  to  Edwin 
McAlpine,  in  whpse  possession  it  now  remains.  It  is  a  small 
rocky  island  and  its  intrinsic  value  would  be  difficult  to 
state. 

The  smallest  of  the  three  islands  is  known  as  Ganung's  island. 
This  was  probably  sold  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  to 
William  Falconer.  April  1st,  1823,  William  Falconer  sold  to 
Henry  Slote,  "  All  those  certain  parcels  of  land  beginning  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Wm.  Bailey's  land  by  the  Big  Pond; 
then  running  around  the  big  pond  to  a  chesnut  tree  near 
Nicholas  Romain's  shop;  then  running  west  8  chains,  44  links, 
to  the  corner  of  land  formerly  owned  by  Josiah  Falconer  and 
Wm.  Bailey's  land;  then  running  north  to  the  pond,  the  place 
of  beginning,  containing  about  seven  acres. 

"Also  another  piece  called  an  island  at  south  end  of  the 
Great  Pond,  and  commonly  called  Little  Island,  estimated  to  be 
fifteen  or  sixteen  rods  north  from  Abel  Smith's  house,  and  about 


TOWN  OF   CARMEL.  343 

the  same  distance  west  from  Levi  Bailey's  land,  containing  one 
acre  and  fifteen  perches,  deemed  to  have  become  forfeited  to 
the  people  of  this  State  by  the  attainder  of  Roger  Morris." 

The  price  for  the  two  parcels  was  $100  "good  and  lawful 
money."  Henry  Slote  sold  the  same  premises  to  Aaron  Carman, 
February  8th,  1828,  oflfering  to  sell  the  seven  acres  for  $500,  but 
demanded  ten  dollars  extra  for  the  island.  After  some  dispute 
this  was  paid.  Dr.  Carman  sold  the  island  to  Marian  Ganung, 
December  31st,  1859,  for  §1,000,  and  it  is  still  owned  by  her. 
This  little  island,  greatly  beautified  and  adorned,  is  one  of  the 
gems  of  the  Lake  Mahopac,  and  seems  almost  a  portion  of  Fairy 
Land  and  well  deserves  its  name  of  "  Fairy  Isle." 

Lake  Mahopac  Methodist  Church. — In  the  year  1822,  and 
for  some  years  previous,  "  Carmel  Big  Pond  "  was  one  of  the 
preaching  stations  of  the  old  Cortlandt  Circuit  which  embraced 
a  large  section  of  country.  The  society  in  this  place  was  duly 
incorporated,  and  at  a  meeting  held  July  I4th,  1822,  "at  the 
house  of  Benjamin  Townsend  [west  of  the  residence  of  Judge 
Edward  Wright]  the  place  where  they  statedly  attended  for 
divine  worship,"  the  members  elected  Leonard  D.  Cliff,  Aaron 
Picker  and  Piatt  P.  Smith,  trustees  of  the  church. 

A  piece  of  land  was  given  to  the  society  by  Nathaniel  Crane, 
which  included  the  present  church  lot  and  extended  to  the 
shore  of  the  lake,  including  the  premises  where  the  Lake  House 
now  stands.  The  church  was  built  about  1826,  and  an  additional 
piece  of  land  was  given  by  Nathaniel  Crane,  December  9th, 
1830.  This  last  piece  was  one-fourth  of  an  acre  on  the  east  side 
of  the  churchyard.  The  old  road  to  Carmel  ran  on  the  west 
side  of  the  church,  and  near  where  the  Lake  House  now  stands 
was  the  house  of  John  Drawyer,  who  was  one  of  the  active 
members  of  the  church,  and  bought  the  land  next  the  lake  from 
the  trustees  of  the  society  in  1840. 

In  the  burying  ground  by  the  church  are  buried  some  of  the 
older  residents  of  the  vicinity,  and  the  following  dates  are  from 
the  tomb  stones: 

James  Smith,  Aug.  24,  1871,  age  69;  Hester,  widow  of  Jonathan 
Smith,  Dec.  1,  1861,  78;  Abel  Smith,  Oct.  12,  1829,  61;  Barsheba, 
wife;  Feb.  17,  1850,  79;  Martin  Shear,  Nov.  12,  1863,  82;  Letitia, 
wife,  April  3,  1854,  63;  Caleb  Wright,  Aug.  19,  1853,  81;  Mary 
A.,  wife,  Sept.  20,  1858,  86;  John  Wixom,  Sept.  19,  1870,  75; 
Betsey,  wife,  Jan.  7, 1880,  80;  Daniel  Baldwin,  Jan.  24,  1842,  6.?; 


344  HiSTOKY  or  putnam  county. 

Hannah,  wife,  March  13, 1865,  86;  William  Hunt,  Nov.  23,  1860, 
77;  Marian,  wife,  June  15,  1838,  49;  John  Croft,  Feb.  11,  1879, 
71;  Hannah,  wife,  Sept.  30,  1868,  63;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Reuben 
Ganung,  Oct.  26,  1841,  80;  John  Ganung,  March  10,  1840,  81; 
Anne,  wife,  Sept.  12,  1827,  70;  Robert  Wright,  April  5,  1883, 
87;  John  Vail,  Jan.  15,  1871,  73;  Wm.  Wright,  Nov.  10,  1858, 
77;  Margaret,  wife,  Jan.  19,  1841,  62;  Robert  Wright,  April  19, 
1852,  78;  Mary,  wife,  Feb.  16,  1830,  57;  Daniel  Gregory,  Dec. 
17,  1868,  86;  Adah,  wife,  Dec.  4,  1875,  87;  Eleazar  Baldwin, 
Aug.  27,  1868,  84. 

The  parsonage  of  this  church  wHiS  bought  of  William  Pinckney, 
April  7th,  1866.  It  is  situated  on  what  was  the  old  Croton  Falls 
road,  a  short  distance  north  of  the  present  one.  The  west 
boundary  of  this  parsonage  lot  is  the  original  line  between  Lots 
5  and  6  of  Philipse  Patent. 

The  Protestant  Episcopal  Chtjkoh  of  Lake  Mahopac  was 
organized  August  26th,  1860,  by  the  election  of  Selah  Van  Duzer 
and  G.  Mortimer  Belden,  wardens,  and  William  Perry,  Lewis 
Ballard,  Archibald  S.  Van  Duzer,  James  A.  Patterson,  Reuben 
D.  Baldwin,  Benjamin  T.  Camp,  George  A.  Crissey  and  Augustus 
Reed,  vestrymen. 

Rev.  Phineas  Manning  was  the  officiating  minister  and  pre- 
siding officer.  The  usual  place  of  meeting  was  in  the  ' '  Horton 
Cottage"  south  of  the  Gregory  House,  then  standing.  The 
church  lot  was  purchased  of  Marian  Ganung,  January  7th,  1884, 
and  the  church  edifice  built  and  dedicated.  It  was  named  The 
Church  of  the  Redeemer. 

The  Roman  Catholic  Church  was  established  by  Rev. 
John  Osnejo,  and  a  lot  was  given  for  the  edifice  by  Reuben  D. 
Baldwin  December  5th,  1866.  The  building  was  erected  and 
dedicated  August  15th,  1869.  For  several  years  this  church  was 
under  the  same  pastor  with  the  churches  at  Brewster  and  Car- 
mel.  The  parish  was  divided  in  1882  and  it  was  connected  with 
the  church  at  Croton  Falls.  The  church  edifice  is  a  neat  and 
convenient  building  and  the  service  is  well  attended. 

Union  Valley  Cemetery  and  Chapel. — This  chapel  is  a 
branch  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Lake  Mahopac. 
The  cemetery  association  was  organized  February  28th,  1860,  at 
a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  James  B.  Ganung  at  which  were 
present,  Oscar  Ganung,  Samuel  W.  Travis,  Stephen  Vores,  El- 
bert Ganung,  Bailey  Ganung,  Charles  Sloat,  GilbertWright,  Ben- 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  345 

jamin  McCollum,  Erastus  Gregory  and  Edwin  C.  Gaming.  The 
land  was  sold  to  the  association  by  Gilbert  Wright  March  22d, 
1860.  It  is  described  in  the  deed  as  "at  an  angle  made  by  two 
public  roads,  one  leading  from  Lyman  Bailey's  to  Croton  Falls, 
the  other  from  Oscar  Ganung's,  intersecting  the  highway  from 
Lyman  Bailey's  a  few  rods  west  of  the  residence  of  Gilbert 
Wright."  The  chapel  was  built  to  accommodate  people  living 
at  a  distance,  and  was  dedicated  in  I860. 

The  Mount  Hope  Methodist  Episcopal  Chapel  is  situated 
at  German  Flats,  north  of  Lake  Mahopac,  and  is  also  a  branch 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  that  place.  The 
society  was  organized  March  4th,  1876,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the 
school  house  in  District  No.  3,  where  they  "  statedly  assembled 
for  divine  worship."  The  first  trustees  were  Robert  Barker, 
Darius  Hopkins,  Andrew  J.  Smith,  James  Sprague  and  George 
W.  Potts. 

Red  Mills. — The  outlet  of  Lake  Mahopac,  coinbined  with 
that  of  Kirk  Lake,  furnishes  a  water  power  unequaled  in  the 
county.  It  was  used  at  a  very  early  date,  and  here  were  doubt- 
less located  "Kirkham's  Mills"  mentioned  in, the  laying  out  of 
roads  in  1745.  These  were  probably  a  small  affair  and  were  soon 
replaced  by  a  much  larger  and  more  durable  building  which 
lasted  more  than  a  century.  This  mill,  which  is  remembered  by 
the  present  generation,  was  built  in  1756.  It  was  built  with 
massive  timbers  and  covered  with  (ledar,  and  from  the  color 
which  it  was  painted  it  was  known  to  all  the  country  round  as 
"Red  Mills." 

On  Erskine's  military  map  they  are  put  down  as  "  Robin- 
son's Mills."  Although  they  were  located  on  Lot  5  of  Philipse 
Patent  owned  by  Roger  Morris,  yet  in  the  deed  given  by  the 
commissioners  of  forfeitures  they  are  mentioned  as  having 
"become  forfeited  by  the  attainder  of  Roger  Morris  and  Beverly 
Robinson; "  from  which  it  is  probable  they  were  built  by  these 
men  in  partnership,  and  it  must  have  been  a  very  expensive 
building  in  its  day. 

Like  all  the  rest  of  the  propprty  of  Roger  Morris  these  mills 
with  the  land  around  them  were  confiscated.  On  the  16th  of 
May,  1781,  Samuel  Dodge,  Jolin  Hathorn  and  Daniel  Graham, 
commissioners  of  forfeiture,  sold  to  William  Smith  "  All  that 
certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  called  the  Mill  Farms,  containing 
188  acres  more  or  less.     Together  with  all  and  singular  the  ad- 


346 


HISTORY   OF  PUTWAM   COUXTY. 


vantages  and  privileges  heretobefore  derived  to  the  mills  on 
the  farm  by  the  water  issuing  out  of  the  two  ponds  with  their 
outlets  and  several  streams  thereof,  and  including  the  large  is- 
land in  the  large  pond  called  Hustins  Pond."  The  price  was 
$2,750.  The  deed  to  John  Le  Clare  conveys  to  him  89  acres, 
"excepting  the  waters  with  their  courses  as  they  run  from  the 
great  pond  through  this  farm  for  the  use  of  William  Smith's 
saw  and  grist  mills."  Another  still  larger  tract  was  also  sold  to 
William  Smith  lying  between  Mahopac  and  Kirk  Lakes. 

The   mills  and  the  lands  adjoining  were  sold  by  William 
Smith    to   Robert  Johnston,   about  1799.      In  the  "Country 


OLD  RED  MILLS. 


Journal  and  Poughkeepsie  Advertiser,"  January  9tli,  1788,  ap- 
peared the  following  advertisement: 

"  William  M.  Smith  No  7  Old  Slip,  New  York,  has  for  sale 
exceeding  cheap,  his  Capital  Mills,  now  let  at  $200  per  year, 
with  several  farms  near  the  same,  in  Fredericksburg  Precinct." 

It  seems  that  the  original  deed  to  William  Smith  had  been 
destroyed  by  fire  and  on  the  28th  of  March,  1800,  the  Legislature 
passed  an  act  for  the  "  Relief  of  Robert  Johnston,"  by  which 
the  abstract  on  record  in  the  clerk's  office  of  Diatchess  county 
should  be  held  as  legal  evidence  of  the  existence  of  the  deed. 
Judge  Robert  Johnston  remained  in  possession  of  the  mills  till 
the  time  of  his  death,  when  they  descended  to  his  son,  William 


TOWN    OF   OAKMEL.  347 

H.  Johnston,  who  died  in  1828,  leaving  a  will  by  which  he 
authorized  his  executors,  Ward  B.  Howard,  Abraham  Smith  and 
Theodoras  Van  Wyck  to  sell  his  real  estate.  In  accordance 
with  this  they  conveyed  to  Cornelius  J.  Tompkins,  May  1st, 
1829,  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  acres  of  land  "  together  with 
all  the  water  privileges  of  the  great  and  little  ponds  as  heretofore 
belonged  to  Robert  Johnston,  deceased."  January  1st,  1835, 
Cornelius  Tompkins  sold  the  same  to  John  Haff  and  Ira  Dean 
for  $12,000.  October  4th,  1837,  they  were  sold  by  John  Haff 
and  his  assignees  to  Amzi  L. '  Dean  and  Isaac  Lounsbury. 
Lounsbury  bought  the  share  of  Amzi  Dean  in  1840  and  he  sold 
the  mills  to  Amzi  Slawson  March  31st,  1855. 

Amzi  Slawson  kept  the  mill  property  till  October  1st,  1858, 
when  he  sold  it  to  Seeley  Slawson,  and  he  conveyed  it  to  William 
and  Charles  Theill  April  28th,  1862.  William  Theill  sold  his 
share  to  Charles  Theill  August  30th,  1864,  and  he  conveyed  it 
to  George  Juengst  of  New  York  February  1st,  1865.  He  pur- 
chased it  for  the  manufacturing  firm  of  Thomas  J.  McArthur 
and  others  to  whom  he  gave  a  deed  January  2d,  1866.  McArther 
and  his  associates  organized  the  "  Empire  Sewing  Machine  Com- 
pany "  and  the  premises  were  sold  to  this  company  May  1st, 
1866.  It  was  intended  by  this  company  to  establish  a  large 
manufactory  at  this  place,  an  intention  which  was  frustrated  by 
subsequent  events,  and  the  entire  premises  and  water  rights 
were  sold  to  the  "  Mahopac  Manufacturing  Company,"  Janu- 
ary 10th,  1869. .  This  company  had  already  established  a  large 
manufactory  on  the  Muscoot  River,  in  Westchester  county.  In 
September,  1870,  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners  of  the 
city  of  New  York  took  possession  of  the  water  privileges  and 
from  that  time  the  occupation  of  the  famous  "Red  Mills," 
like  Othello's,  was  "gone."  For  several  years  the  city  paid  an 
annual  rent  for  the  privilege  of  drawing  water  from  the  lakes 
but  under  the  act  of  1879  for  enlarging  the  powers  of  the  commis- 
sioners the  premises  were  taken  for  the  use  of  the  city,  and  on 
June  14th,  1881,  Hubert  O.  Thompson,  chief  of  the  Department 
of  Public  Works,  offered  for  sale  at  auction  the  "  superstruc- 
ture wood  work  and  machinery  of  the  Red  Mills,"  and  they 
were  purchased  by  Lewis  Baker  for  $227. 

The  buildings  were  torn  down  and  the  ponderous  beams  and 
timber  with  the  cedar  covering,  sold  in  small  parcels,  and  the  place 
that  had  known  it  for  a  century  and  a  quarter  knew  it  no  more 


348  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

forever.  The  site  of  this  building  was  on  the  north  side  of  the 
road  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  outlet  of  the  two  lakes.  Kirk 
Lake,  which  is  the  "little  pond"  mentioned  in  the  deed  to 
William  Smith,  is  591  feet  above  the  sea  and  covers  101  acres. 
From  Lake  Mahopac  to  the  Red  Mills  there  is  a  fall  of  126  feet 
and  from  the  water  flowing  over  the  dam  at  the  mill  the  locality 
gained  the  name  of  Mahopac  Falls.  The  removal  of  the  dam 
when  the  old  mill  was  destroyed  has  rendered  this  name  no 
longer  significant.  In  addition  to  the  grist  mill,  which  did  a 
large  business  for  the  early  times,  there  were  also  saw  mills  and 
a  fulling  mill.  It  is  said  that  the  first  carding  mill  in  the  coun- 
try was  brought  here  by  an  Englishman  named  Ellinworth 
about  1800.  He  first  set  it  up  in  Peekskill  where  it  remained 
two  years  and  he  then  brought  it  up  to  the  Red  Mills. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution  it  is  stated  that  Col.  Roger  Morris 
had  a  log  mansion  near  the  mill,  to  which  he  and  his  wife,  as 
lord  and  lady  of  the  manor,  came  during  the  summer  months, 
to  visit  their  highland  estate  and  their  tenants.  The  residence 
of  Mrs.  Augustus  Odell,  a  short  distance  west  of  the  old  mill 
site,  encloses  a  portion  of  the  original  log  house  thus  occupied 
by  the  former  owners  of  all  this  section  of  country.  The  story 
that  Major  Andre  stopped  at  this  house  while  being  taken  to 
the  Robinson  House  after  his  capture  has  no  foundation  in 
fact. 

The  Mahopac  Iron  Ore  Company  was  incorporated  Sep- 
tember 23d,  1879,  with  the  following  officers :  W.  F.  Buckley, 
president;  H.  M.  Braem,  treasurer;  H.  N.  Brinsmade,  secretary; 
W.  H.  Case,  superintendent.  The  New  York  office  of  the  com- 
pany is  at  69  Wall  street.  About  150  men  are  employed  in 
working  the  mine,  which  is  situated  on  that  portion  of  the  Hill 
farm  sold  by  Solomon  Hill  to  Asahel  W.  Humphrej'-,  December 
24th,  1879.  It  was  first  opened  by  Arthur  F.  Wendt,  of  New 
York  city.  The  completion  of  the  Mahopac  Falls  Railway, 
which  connects  the  mine  with  the  New  York  City  &  Northern, 
affords  a  convenient  outlet  and  greatly  facilitates  the  transpor- 
tation of  the  ores  to  the  Pennsylvauia  furnaces. 

The  Red  Mills  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1832  by 
Elder  John  Warren,  sen.,  who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  the 
Carmel  church.  In  August  of  that  year  a  number  of  members, 
twenty-five  in  all,  met  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Barrett  and  ap- 
pointed delegates  to  the  churches  of  which  they  were  members, 


TOWN   OF   CABMEL. 


349 


requesting  letters  of  dismission  that  they  might  be  organized 
into  a  society  to  be  known  as  the  Red  Mills  Baptist  Church. 

The  church  was  constituted  September  26th,  1832,  by  a 
council  at  which  Elders  John  Warren,  Mitchell,  Nathaniel 
Robinson  and  Moses  Barrett  were  present  and  officiated. 

At  first  there  was  no  regular  pastor,  but  Elder  Warren  fre- 
quently preached.    It  is  said  that  in  the  summer  time  the  meet- 


BAPTIST  CHURCH,    MAHOPAC   PALLS. 


ings  were  held  in  Mr.  Barrett's  orchard.  December  22d,  1832, 
Brother  Enos  H.  Ballard  was  licensed  to  preach  and  in  May, 
1834,  the  church  called  for  his  ordination.  He  remained  the 
Ijastor  for  one  year  and  during  this  time  seventy  were  added  to 
the  church.  The  failure  of  his  health  caused  a  termination  of 
his  services.     In  January,  1836,  Elder  Higby  became  pastor  and 


350  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

remained  till  March,  1838.  The  pulpit  was  then  supplied  for  a 
time  by  Elder  Grill  but  in  1840  there  was  some  discord  in  the 
church.  In  this  year  Elder  Ballard  again  took  charge  and  re- 
mained till  1845  and  eighty  members  were  baptized.  At  this 
time  Brothers  Henry  Hazen  and  David  Taylor  were  licensed  to 
preach.  In  1845,  Elder  C.  Brinkerhofl  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate and  remained  till  November  12th,  1847.  In  that  year 
Brother  C.  C.  Norton  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Dur- 
ing 1848-9  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  various  persons  and  in 
1860  Brother  Ballard  again  became  pastor  and  remained  till 
185S.  In  October  of  that  year.  Elder  David  Sampson  became 
pastor  but  the  period  of  his  service  was  cut  short  by  death. 

In  1860  the  church  called  Brother  J.  Timberman  who  remained 
two  years.  In  1862  Brother  J.  Allen  was  pastor.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  H.  Alley,  who  was  ordained  in  1864  and  re- 
mained till  August  21st,  1869.  Rev.  Jabez  Marshall  was  pastor 
in  1871.  Rev.  J.  W.  Holman  was  called  August  1st,  1873,  and 
remained  till  March,  1875.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  H.  B. 
Warring,  who  resigned  March  1st,  1879.  Rev.  J.  Gr.  Shrive  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  in  that  year  and  he  remained  till  April, 
1881,  when  he  resigned. 

The  church  lot  was  sold  to  Isaac  Barrett,  Alvah  Colwell  and 
Cornelius  J.  Tompkins,  trustees  of  the  church,  by  Isaac  Bar- 
rett August  17th,  1832.  It  was  described  as  being  "on  the  west 
side  of  the  Peekskill  road  and  at  the  northeast  corner  of  John 
Beyea's,  jr.,  lot  and  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Isaac  Barrett's 
orchard  near  his  house  and  running  along  the  road  1  chain  and 
containing  1  rood,  22  rods."  A  lot  on  the  east  side  of  the  road 
"nearly  opposite  the  dwelling  house  of  John  Beyea,  jr.,"  was 
sold  to  the  trustees  by  Cornelius  J.  Tompkins  on  the  same  day. 
The  church  was  built  shortly  after.  In  1868  the  edifice  was  re- 
modelled in  modern  style  at  a  cost  of  $13,000,  and  was  re- 
dedicated  January  23d,  1869. 

In  the  burying  ground  adjoining  the  church  rest  many  of  the 
early  members  of  the  society.  The  following  dates  are  taken 
from  the  tombstones; 

"James  Carver,  died  July  2,  1837,  age  55;  Sarah,  wife,  Dec. 
18,  1844,  66;  Hosea  Carver, "^ Apr.  25,  1854,  41;  Cornelius  Hill, 
Nov.  22,  1833,  44;  Samuel  Horton,  April  11,  1866,  77;  Sarah, 
wife,  Aug.  12,  1845,  55;  Gilbert  Travis,  April  27,  1839,  71; 
Nicholas  Agor,  Jan.  12,  1839,  68;  Mary,  wife,   March  10,    1837, 


TOWN   OP   CABMEL.  351 

72;  Rachel,  wife  of  John  Simpkins,  Jan.  4,  1844,  95;  Zophar 
Kirkham,  Oct.  20,  1846,  63;  Susan,  wife,  April  6,  1842,  63;  An- 
thony Hill,  Feb.  22,  1867,  74;  Dorothy,  wife,  July  2,  1872,  81; 
Wm.  W.  Hill,  July  24,  1863,  33;  Sarah,  wife  of  Noah  Hill, 
May  13,  1846,  76;  Daniel  Wright,  Feb.  23, 1865,  70;  John  Beyea, 
Sept.  12,  1848,  85;  Sally,  wife,  Nov.  24,  1833,  66;  John  Beyea, 
Dec.  19,  1864,  74;  Peter  Beyea.  Nov.  17,  1873,  79;  James  Wix- 
om,  Feb.  18,  1849,  76;  Elizabeth,  wife,  July  21,  1839,  72;  Cor- 
nelius F.  Williams,  Aug.  27,  1854,  68;  Leeta,  wife,  April  12, 
1857,  75;  David  Hazleton,  March  24,  1848,  57;  Abraham  Cronk, 
April  26,  1871,  76;  Robert  Wixom,  Sept.  19,  1861,  79;  Laban 
Cole,  May  2,  1848,  49;  Esther,  wife,  Sept.  10,  1833,  35;  Levi  H. 
Cole,  Oct.  17,  1860,  69;  William  Agor,  Nov.  16,  1848,  75;  Eliza- 
beth Cole,  wife  of  Wm;  Agor,  Feb.  15,  1841,  66." 

Two  of  the  former  pastors  of  this  church  are  buried  here  and 
the  following  inscriptions  are  on  their  monuments: 

"  Rev.  Daniel  Sampson,  died  Aug.  8,  1859  aged  60  yrs.  2  mos. 
and  2  days." 

"  Rev.  Enos  H.  Ballard,  nearly  20  years  pastor  of  Red  Mills 
Baptist  Church,  Departed  to  be  with  Christ  Oct.  25,  1861. 
Aged  53." 

Red  Mills  Presbyterian  Church. — This  church  is  offici- 
ally styled  the  "First  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  town  of 
Carmel,"  not  because  it  is  the  oldest  but  from  the  fact  that  it 
was  the  first  incorporated.  As  far  as  learned,  preaching  ser- 
vices were  held  in  this  place  as  early  as  1761,  and  the  first  min- 
ister who  labored  here  is  supposed  to  have  been  Rev.  Samuel 
Saickett,  who  was  at  that  time  pastor  of  Hanover  or  Yorktown 
Church.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  Rev.  James  Davenport 
may  have  ministered  both  here  and  in  Carmel  at  an  earlier  date. 

The  first  building  erected  for  church  services  was  dedicated 
in  1784.  It  stood  upon  the  site  of  the  present  church  edifice, 
upon  land  owned  by  Mr.  Peter  Badeau,  who  died  in  1816,  aged 
88  years.  The  cemetery  adjoining  was  deeded  in  trust  by 
Mr.  job.  C.  Austin,  in  1862.  The  following  is  the  description 
of  the  original  building,  as  given  by  Dr.  Wallace:  "  It 
was  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  that  the  land  was 
donated,  and  preparations  made  to  build.  As  yet  there  was  no 
organization  but  the  congregation  deemed  it  best  to  secure  a 
permanent  shelter.  The  people  made  contributions  of  labor 
and  timber  and  other  material  so  that  but  a  small  amount  of 


352 


HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COtTNTY. 


money  was  required.  It  was  very  plain  in  appearance,  without 
cupola  or  steeple,  was  nearly  square  and  the  gables  stood  east 
and  west.  The  entrance  was  on  the  south  side  and  opened  into 
the  audience  room.  Originally  there  was  also  an  east  and  west 
door.  It  had  a  gallery  extending  across  the  south  side  and  the 
two  ends  of  the  house,  the  open  stairs  leading  to  it  being  located 
in  the  south  corners.  It  was  mainly  occupied  by  the  singers. 
For  a  long  time  the  bass  and  alto  occupied  the  soath  gallery 
facing  the  minister,  the  treble  being  in  the  east  and  the  tenor 
in  the  west  galleries,  facing  each  other.     The  pulpit  was  on  the 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,    MAHOPAC  FALLS. 


north  side  and  was  octagon  shaped  after  the  wine  glass  pattern 
and  was  very  high  up,  entered  by  a  winding  staircase;  above  it 
was  a  sounding  board;  below  it  was  the  reading  desk,  by  the 
side  of  which  the  deacons  sat  in  what  was  called  the  Deacons' 
Pew.  Around  the  house  was  one  row  of  square  high  backed 
pews  and  in  the  center  were  plain  board  benches  known  as  the 
Free  Seats.  For  thirty-five  years  there  was  no  fire  in  the  build- 
ing to  heat  it.  Many  of  the  families  brought  foot  stoves;  but 
worse  than  this,  they  sat  in  the  unwarraed  church  and  heard  two 


TOWN   OF    CAEMEL.  353 

sermons  with  only  a  short  intermission  between  them  in  win- 
ter's cold  and  storm,  after  coming  long  distances. 

"  In  1819,  the  house  was  repaired  and  received  a  coat  of  yel- 
low xjaint  on  the  outside.  i\.t  this  date  a  plain  box  stove  was 
brought  in,  which  was  a  marked  innovation  upon  the  customs 
of  the  past.  It  stood  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  house,  and  the 
pipe  passed  directly  up  through  the  ceiling.  At  this  day  such 
a  building  would  seem  uncomfortable  and  unsightly;  but  in 
those  primitive  times,  it  was  deemed  a  goodly  house  and  served 
the  purposes  of  a  generation  who  were  accustomed  to  plainness 
and  hai-ftship." 

About  1830  the  church  was  considered  so  unsafe  that  it  was 
decided  to  erect  a  new  building.  This  building  was  dedicated 
in  1833.  It  continued  in  use  until  1876,  when  it  was  remodelled 
into  the  present  attractive  edifice.  About  all  that  remains  of 
the  second  building  is  "  Embraced  within  the  iron  pillars  of  the 
present  structure."  The  latter  will  comfortably  seat  about  300, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  cheerful  and  attractive  country  churches 
in  the  Presbytery  of  Westchester. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  ministers  who  have  preached 
here  either  as  pastors  or  as  stated  supplies.  The  first  one 
known  to  have  held  service  here,  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  Sackett, 
who  seems  to  have  made  this  one  of  his  stated  preaching  places 
from  1761  until  1784.  He  was  succeeded  in  1785  by  the  Rev. 
Silas  Constant,  pa,stor  of  the  Yorktown  church.  During  his 
pastorate  at  Yorktown,  the  Lord's  Supper  was  for  the  first  time 
celebrated  at  Mahopac  Falls,  then  called  Red  Mills.  This  was 
on  February  5th,  1789.  In  1790  a  distinct  church  was  organized 
and  incorporated.  In  1792  the  Rev.  Ichabod  Lewis  supplied 
the  church.  Following  him  came  Mr.  John  Hickox,  who  was 
succeeded  in  1803  by  Mr.  Stephen  Dodd.  His  successor  was 
the  Rev.  Herman  Daggett  who  came  in  1810.  Next  came  the 
Rev.  John  Townley,  and  in  1812  the  Rev.  Allan  Blair  com- 
menced his  ministry  here,  remaining  fifteen  years.  "He  was 
stated  supply  during  all  this  time,  and  remained  in  charge  the 
longest  of  all  the  ministers  who  have  ever  labored  here."  In 
1828,  when  the  church  became  connected  with  the  Second 
Presbytery  of  New  York,  it  was  supplied  for  a  short  time  by 
the  Rev.  Joseph  McElroy,  D.D.,  who  was  followed  in  1829  by 
the  Rev.  Robert  Thompson,  the  latter  remaining  only  a  feu- 
weeks.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Huntington,  who 
33 


354  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

remained  here  during  the  erection  of  a  second  church  edifice, 
and  preached  his  dedicatory  sermon  in  January,  1833.  Pol- 
lowing  him  came  the  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Ely  who  supplied  for 
one  year  and  was  then  called  for  pastor.  He  was  ordained  and 
installed  December  4th,  1834,  and  was  the  first  minister  ever 
regularly  settled  over  the  church.  Under  Mr.  Ely's  ministry 
was  organized  the  first  Sabbath  school  connected  with  the 
church.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Ninimo  was  installed  in  1837,  re- 
maining here  until  1840.  The  Rev.  Joshua  Betts  was  ordained 
and  installed  in  1841,  and  was  succeeded  in  1842  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Pettigrew,  who  remained  till  1844.  In  1845,  the  Rev. 
James  B.  Hyndshaw  began  his  ministry  here  which  lasted  nntil 
1850.  For  three  years  thereafter,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Hunter, 
D.  D.,  and  the  Rev.  Alfred  P.  Botsford  were  in  charge.  In 
1854,  the  Rev.  Joseph  C.  Foster  was  installed,  and  after  five 
years  of  labor  was  compelled  by  ill  health  to  resign  his  charge, 
in  1859.  The  Rev.  Richard  H.  Richardson,  D.  D.,  began  his 
ministry  here  in  1860,  resigning  in  1863,  going  hence  to  New- 
buryport,  Mass.,  and  from  that  place  to  the  Fourth  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Trenton,  N".  J.,  where  he  is  still  settled.  The 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  Hodge,  now  of  Columbia  Avenue  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Philadelphia,  was  installed  here  in  1864,  and  re- 
signed in  1868.  For  two  years  thereafter  the  Rev.  Carson  W. 
Adams,  D.  D.,  supplied  this  church.  The  Rev.  C.  C.  Wallace, 
D.  C,  was  installed  in  1870,  and  resigned  in  January,  1881.  In 
April  of  the  same  year,  the  present  pastor  was  called,  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  June  7th. 

During  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Ninimo,  1837-40, 
there  were  registered  eeventy- eight  members.  During  the  pas- 
torate of  Mr.  Wallace,  the  membership  was  one  hundred  and 
thirty-eight.  On  the  first  of  May,  1884,  there  were  registered 
one  hundred  and  sixty- three  names.  There  are  now  six  elders, 
three  deacons  and  nine  trustees.  The  organization  of  the  church 
also  includes  a  Colporteur,  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  a  Ladies' 
Missionary  Society  and  Band  and  a  Sabbath  School. 

The  present  condition  of  the  church  is  such  as  to  justify 
hopeful  expectations  of  its  future  continued  usefulness. 

The  church  was  incorporated  April  7th,  1806,  and  at  that  time 
Dr.  Elias  Cornelius,  Abm.  Smith,  Charles  Heroy,  Seward 
Whetin  and  William  Webb  were  elected  "Trustees  of  the  first 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Carmel."     At  this  time  a  formal  deed 


TOWN   OF  CARMEL.  355 

was  given  to  the  trustees  for  the  church  lot  which  had  been  built 
upon  long  before.  By  this  deed  Peter  Badeau,  sen.,  and  his 
wife,  Elizabeth,  conveyed  to  the  trustees  above  named,  "For 
and  in  consideration  of  the  adoration  due  to  the  Supreme  Being 
and  for  the  better  maintenance  of  the  Almighty  God  *  *  * 
All  that  certain. piece  of  land  which  agreeable  to  a  survey  made 
in  1787  hath  its  directions  and  is  bounded  as  follows:  Begin- 
ning at  a  chestnut,  the  northwest  corner  near  the  school  house, 
thence  south  13^  west  4  chains  39  links  then  S.  17^  east  1  chain 
80  links  then  N.  41  east  5  chains  60  links  to  a  heap  of  stones 
and  corner  of  Richard  Dean's  land  then  N.  63  west  3  chains  65 
links  to  the  beginning.  Containing  1  acre  of  land."  Another 
piece  of  one-half  acre  opposite  the  church  was  sold  by  Isaac 
Badeau  July  21st,  1838. 

The  Rev.  Harris  Rogers  Schenok,  the  present  pastor,  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  February  27th,  1856.  His  father  is 
the  Rev.  William  E.  Schenck,  D.  D.,  for  thirty  years  secretary 
of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication.  His  mother  was  the 
daughter  of  William  Torrey,  of  Manchester,  N.  J.,  and  niece 
of  Professor  Torrey,  of  Princeton  College,  later  connected  with 
the  assay  office  in  New  York  city.  On  the  death  of  his  mother, 
the  child,  still  an  infant,  was  much  of  the  time  under  the 
care  of  his  grandmother.  When  about  seven  years  of  age,  he 
was  placed  at  a  boarding  school  at  Elizabeth,  N.  J.  From  there 
he  went  back  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  attended  school  until 
sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered  Princeton  College.  After 
his  graduation  in  1876,  he  was  appointed  assistant  teacher  at  the 
Princeton  Preparatory  School,  then  under  the  charge  of  the 
Rev.  C.  J.  Collins.  While  there  his  health  broke  down,  neces- 
sitating a  trip  to  Florida  and  an  absence  of  four  months.  On 
his  return  to  Princeton  in  May,  1877,  Mr.  Schenck  spent  some 
months  in  special  work,  entering  Princeton  Seminary  in  the  fall. 
After  taking  a  four  years'  course,  he  received  a  call  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Mahopac  Falls,  N.  Y.,  in  the  Presbytery  of 
<  Westchester.  The  call  was  given  on  April  6th,  1881.  Mr.  Schenck 
took  charge  as  supply  and  pastor-elect  Maj^  1st,  and  was  installed 
June  7th,  1881.  Under  his  care  the  church  has  been  very  prosper- 
ous and  greatly  increased  in  numbers.  As  a  representative  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  the  energy  and  usefulness  of  Mr. 
Schenck  are  widelj'^  recognized  and  his  influence  is  felt  among 
his  ministerial  brethren. 


356  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

T\[r.  Schenck  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  a 
dangliter  of  David  F.  Hollister,  Esq..  of  Bridgeport,  Conn.  She 
died  June  12th,  1882.  He  was  married  in  1884  to  a  daughter  of 
David  E.  Smith,  M.  D.,  of  Bronxville,  N.  J. 

The  burying  ground  by  the  Presbyterian  church  is  the  oldest 
in  this  portion  of  the  town  and  here  "The  rude  forefathers  of 
the  hamlet  sleep."  The  following  names  and  dates  are  taken 
from  the  stones : 

Ebenezer  Boyd,  March  27,  1848,  age  82;  Louisa,  wife,  May  12, 
1841,  ,81;  Isaac  Lounsbury,  Mar.  16,  1881,  66;  Ira  Pinckney. 
July  9,  1872,  79;  Mary,  wife,  Nov.  7,  1861,  59;  Mary,  wife  of 
James  Seeley,  Mar.  3,  1859,  90;  Abm.  Slawson,  May  10,  1829, 
92;  Mary,  wife,  Sept.  3,  1826,  87;  Silas  Slawson,  Jan.  1,  1860, 
78;  Clarrissa,  wife,  Aug.  5,  1856,  70;  Joseph  Odell,  Dec.  22,  1864, 
77;  Clarrissa,  wife,  May  19,  1857,  69;  James  Vernal,  Dec.  16, 
1873,  84;  Susan,  wife,  April  25,  1866,  73;  Elijah  Dean,  Aug.  18, 
1808,  49;  Sarah,  wife,  Dec.  18,  1835,  72;  John  Tompkins,  Oct. 
20,  1839,  55;  John  Tompkins,  Jan.  3,  1842,  65;  James  Tompkins, 
Mar.  7,  1873,  85;  David,  son  of  William  and  Mary  Lewis,  Sept. 
1,  1803,  21;  Jonathan  Miller,  Jan.  1,  1815,  68;  Mary,  wife,  Aug. 
3,  1801,  55;  Esther,  wife,  Aug.  24,  1835,  59;  Eliphalet  Hull,  July 
19,  1813,  54;  Emma,  wife,  Jan.  5,  1833,  70;  Hezekiah  Hull,  Nov. 
1,  1823,  69;  Sarah,  wife,  April  23, 1850,89;  Sophia,  wife  of  Philip 
Minthorne,  May  8,  1807,  51;  Charles  Heroy,  Dec.  16,  1824,  75; 
Phebe,  wife,  April  29,  1821,  70;  Peter  Heroy,  Feb.  15,  1795,  39; 
Catharine,  wife,  July  22,  1836,  76;  Dr.  Elias  Cornelius,  June  13, 
1823,  65;  Joshua  Myrrick,  June  19, 1813,  88;  Jane,  wife.  May  27, 
1811,  78;  Charles  Heroy,  Dec.  28,  1785,  66;  Benj.  Crosby,  July 
22,  1797,  53;  Rachel,  wife,  Feb.  25,  1791,  43;  Hannah,  wife  of 
Dr.  Robert  Weeks  and  daughter  of  Benj.  Crosby,  July  18,  1795, 
29;  Willet  Travis,  Oct.  30,  1869,  94;  Michael  Vandervoort, 
April  1,  1812,  41;  Jonathan  Whiting,  Jan.  14,  1797,  59;  Rachel, 
wife,  June  10,  1830,  88;  Isaac  Austin,  Oct.  14,  1813,  67;  Ann, 
wife,  Dec.  30,  1811,  66;  Job  Austin,  Feb.  7,  1847,  88;  Hannah, 
wife,  Dec.  13,  1839,  84;  Mary,  wife,  Sept.  18,  1793,  34;  John 
Dean,  Nov.  23,  1832,  35;  Adah,  wife,  Nov.  2,  1837,  31;  Mar- 
garet, daughter  of  Elias  and  Margaret  Van  Arsdale,May  1,1806, 1 ; 
Robert  Johnston,  Jan.  19,  1823,  89;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Sept.  27, 
1832,  82;  Wm.  H.  Johnston,  Jan.  10,  1828,  49;   Daniel  Travis, 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  357 

Aug.  7,  1844,  65;  Peter  Badeau,  Aug.  9,  1816,  88;  Katharine, 
wife,  Feb.  1790,  64;  Elder  Allen  B.  Smith,  April  7,  1834,  37; 
Elizabeth,  wife  Peter  Badeau,  Oct.  29,  1826,  77;  Elizabeth,  wife 
John  Secor,  May  28,  1791,  52;  a  rude  stone  bears  the  following: 
"  1784,  April  XI  E.  S.  70  old,"  a  puzzle  which  we  leave  to  others 
to  solve.  Isaac  Badeau,  Sept.  7,  1842,  93;  Deborah,  wife,  April 
5,  1840,  77;  Ebenezer  Wright,  March  6^  1806,  43;  Kachel,  wife, 
Oct.  27,  1829,  66;  Kobert  Wright,  May  19,  1818,  81;  Jonathan 
Whiting,  Nov.  6,  1869,  87;  Eunice,  wife,  Feb.  29,  1848,  61; 
John  Thorp,  Dec.  1,  1837,  76;  Rath,  wife,  April  7,  1814,  56; 
Caleb  Carpenter,  Oct.  4,  1791,  25;  Ephraim,  son  of  Billy  and 
Rhoda  Trowbridge,  Mar.  8,  1791,  14;  Salome,  wife  of  B.  H. 
Miller,  Oct.  22,  1809,  54;  Henry  Dillingham,  Mar.  21,  1812,  54; 
Mary,  wife.  May  10,  1797,  32;  Elijah  Wright,  July  17,  1815,  69; 
William  Campbell,  Dec.  11, 1864,  63;  Charles  Pinckney,  Oct.  16, 
1834,  68;  Nathan  Lane,  Sen.,  Nov.  28,  1811,  72;  Eleanor,  wife, 
March  4,  1815,  74;  Charity,  wife  of  John  Smith,  April  29,  1813, 
62;  John  Crookston,  Feb.  6,  1793,  36;  "Eleanor,  wife,  April  13, 
1848,  88;  Abraham  Smith,  Oct.  26,  1813,  49. 

The  Putnam  County  Seminary  Association  was  organized 
in  1857  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  facilities  for  advanced 
education.  The  first  trustees  were  Joseph  C.  Foster,  Amzi  L. 
Dean,  Saxton  Smith,  Amzi  Slawson,  Isaac  Hill,  Isaac  Louns- 
bury  and  Ira  Pinckney.  On  the  9th  of  September  1857,  a  lot 
was  sold  to  the  trustees  by  Job  C.  Austin  "On  the  east  side  of 
the  highway  leading  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  said 
Austin's  house  and  one  chain  and  sixty  links  north  of  a  wild 
cherry  tree  standing  in  the  burying  ground  and  extending  east 
to  the  road  from  the  church  to  the  Red  Mills."  Upon  this  lot 
a  school  building  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  and  a  com- 
petent teacher  employed,  and  the  institution  was  started  with  a 
fine  prospect  of  success.  It  continued  for  several  years  but 
without  being  as  prosperous  as  its  founders  expected.  The 
building  was  sold  under  mortgage  foreclosure  to  Amzi  L.  Dean, 
who  sold  it  to  the  Presbyterian  church  in  August,  1870.  It 
was  moved  to  a  place  near  the  church  and  is  now  used  as  a 
reading  room.  The  successive  teachers  were  Rev.  Daniel  S. 
Gregory,  Rev.  Mr.  Butler,  Mr.  Samuel  S.  Appel  and  Irving 
Wright. 

The  Western  Part  oe  Caemel. — On  the  north  side  of  Long 


358  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Pond  was  the  farm  of  Timothy.  Carver',  who  was  a  descendant 
of  the  fifth  generation  from  John  Carver,  who  came  over  in  the 
"  Mayflower."  He  came  with  his  wife  to  this  town  from  Bridge- 
water,  Plymouth  county,  Massachusetts,  about  1757,  and  be- 
came a  tenant  of  Roger  Morris.  He  died  before  the  Revolution, 
and  his  sons,  Timothy  and  Barnabas,  continued  to  live  in  the 
same  locality.  After  the  Revolution  (November  16th,  1782)  Tim- 
othy Carver  bought  a  large  tract  on  the  north  side  of  Long 
Pond  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  for  seventy-one 
pounds.  Here  he  built  a  log  house  and  began  clearing  up  the 
farm.  He  lived  here  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
about  1824  at  the  age  of  71.  The  farm  was  sold  by  him  to  his 
son,  James  Carver,  January  6th,  1817,  for  $1,750,  and  there  is  a 
peculiar  interest  connected  with  this  farm  from  the  fact  that  it 
was  the  one  that  John  Jacob  Astor  entered  suit  for  as  a  test  of 
his  famous  claim.  James  Carver  sold  the  farm  to  Ebenezer 
Barrett,  April  9,  1833.  After  the  death  of  Ebenezer  Barrett  it 
went  to  his  son  Isaac  and  he  left  it  to  his  son  Elias  Barrett, 
who  died  intestate  and  it  was  sold  to  his  widow,  Mrs.  Susan 
Barrett,  who  is  its  present  owner.  The  old  log  house  built 
by  Timothy  Carver  stood  a  short  distance  northwest  of 
the  present  dwelling.  The  farm  of  Judge  Barnabas  was  a  tract 
of  nearly  300  acres  which  was  a  part  of  Lot  6  of  the  Philipse 
Patent  and  adjoined  the  west  line  of  the  lot  and  extended  east 
to  the  Croton  River.  The  bridge  over  the  Croton  on  the  road 
from  Carmel  to  Long  Pond  was  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
farm  and  hence  bore  the  name  of  Carver's  bridge.  Timothy 
Carver,  brother  of  the  judge,  fell  off  this  bridge  while  going 
home  one  night  and  was  drowned,   about  1824.     Judge  Carver 

'Timothy  Carver  married  Rebecca  Washburn.     Their  children  were:  Rebecca, 
wife  of  Jeremiah  Hughson;  Mehitable,  wife  of  Daniel  Pierce;  Timothy,  born 

October  30th,  1753,  drowned  about  1834;  Thankful,  wife  of Abbott;  and  Judge 

Barnabas,  born  1761,  died  August  39th,  1831.  He  married  Sarah  Cole  but  left  no 
children.  Timothy  Carve,r,  second,  married  two  sisters  named  Baldwin.  His 
children  were  Elijah,  James,  Barnabas,  Lewis,  Eleazar,  Henry,  Hannah  (wife  of 
Jeremiah  Ganung)  Zillah  and  Sarah.  All  the  sons  except  James  yirent  to  Indiana. 
James  Carver  was  born  1782  and  died  July  2d,  1837.  He  was  the  nominal  defend- 
ant in  the  Astor  suit;  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Townsend.  Their 
children  were:  Marianne,  wife  of  James  Ganung;  Charlotte,  wife  of  Ramah 
Cole;  Rachel;  Jane,  wife  of  Stephen  Smith;  Phebe,  wife  of  Orson  Hazen,  and 
Hannah.  Hosea  Barnabas  Carver  (son  of  Timothy  the  second)  married  Hannah, 
daughter  of  James  Townsend,  and  had  children:  James  M.,  Frederick,  and 
Stephen  W. ,  who  is  now  living  in  the  town  of  Carmel. 


TOWN   OP   CAEMEL. 


359 


on  the  corner  where  the  road  turns  north,  about  three  quarters 
of  a  mile  west  of  the  bridge.  The  stone  chimneys  of  the  house 
bought  this  farm  of  Frederick  Philipse  and  his  house  stood 
are  j^et  standing  though  the  building  itself  has  been  recently 
torn  down.  Judge  Carver  left  no  children,  and  gave  his  farm 
to  his  two  nephews,  Barnabas  Carver  and  Abizar  Pierce,  son  of 
Daniel  Pierce.  The  homestead  and  175  acres  comprised  the 
share  of  Barnabas  who  died  about  1870,  and  the  place  was  sold 
by  mortgage  foreclosure  to  Eleazar  H.  Ganong  who  now  owns 
it.  The  west  part  of  the  farm  was  the  share  of  Abizar  Pierce. 
He  sold  it  to  James  Harvey  Reed,  who  is  now  living  upon  it, 
and  moved  to  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  about  1835.  The  original  line 
between  Lots  5  and  6  is  a  few  rods  west  of  Mr.  Reed's  house. 
Judge  Barnabas  Carver  was  member  of  Assembly  in  1806  and 
one  of  the  judges  of  Common  Pleas  for  a  long  number  of  years, 
and  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  the  county.  He  died  April 
29th,  1831,  aged  70.  His  wife,  Sarah,  died  December  4th,  1851, 
aged  88.  A  family  burying  ground  not  far  from  the  house  con- 
tains their  graves  and  also  others  from  which  we  take  the  fol- 
lowing dates:  Chloe,  wife  of  William  Yeomans,  died  April  14, 
1854,  age  80;  Jeremiah  Ganung,  jr.,  xiug.  21,  1863,  84;  Hannah, 
wife,  Aug.  30,  1869,  84;  Daniel  Pierce,  April  16,  1837,  85;  Lewis 
Pinckney,  July  9,  1831,  70;  Timothy  Pierce,  April  30,  1839,  63. 

Peter  Anderson  came  to  this  country  from  Scotland  about  the 
year  1760,  and  rented  of  Roger  Morris  a  farm  now  in  the  town 
of  Carmel,  near  the  Mahopac  Iron  Ore  Company's  mine.  When 
this  farm  was  sold  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  in  1782, 
he  purchased  it,  and  the  greater  part  of  it  has  been  owned  by 
the  family  ever  since,  it  being  now  owned  by  Silas  A.  Anderson, 
a  great-grandson  of  the  first  owner. 

Peter  Anderson  married  Mary  Curry  and  they  had  the  follow- 
ing children:  John,  who  married  Ann  Travis;  James,  who  mar- 
ried Susan  Ganong;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Cornelius  Hill; 
Susan,  who  married  Elijah  jSTelson;  and  Eleanor,  who  married 
John  Crookston. 

John  Anderson  removed  to  Dutchess  county,  where  his  two 
sons,  John  and  Peter,  with  some  of  their  descendants,  still 
reside. 

Elizabeth,  Susan  and  Eleanor,  with  their  husbands,  lived  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  homestead,  and  a  number  of  the  descendants 
of  Elizabeth  still  live  in  the  neighborhood. 


360  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

James  retained  and  lived  on  the  homestead  and  had  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Sarah,  who  married  Green  Thorn;  Elizabeth, 
who  married  Samuel  Ferris;  Mary,  who  married,  1st,  Charles 
Van  De  Vort,  2d,  Ira  Pinckney;  Susan,  who  married  Alfred 
Lounsbury;  Hannah,  who  married  John  A.  Akin;  Peter,  who 
married  Mary  Austin;  Mila,  who  died  single;  John,  who  died 
when  a  small  boy.  They  all  lived  and  died  within  a  few  miles 
of  the  place  of  their  birth,  and  but  few  of  their  descendants 
have  ever  removed  to  any  considerable  distance. 

Peter  acquired  the  title  to  the  homestead  and  resided  on  it 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  in  1882.  He  had 
the  following  children:  James  T.,  who  married  Annie  Louns- 
bury; Mila,  who  died  single;  Silas  A.,  who  married  Mary 
Emigle;  George  E.,  who  married  Eliza  Agor. 

James  T.  owns  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Somers, 
Westchester  county.  Silas  A.  lives  on  the  homestead,  having 
purchased  it,  and  George  E.  lives  and  practices  law  at  Carmel, 
Putnam  county. 

Supervisors  of  Carmel:  Timothy  Carver,  1795;  Devoe 
Bailey,  1796  to  1797;  Barnabas  Carver;  1807  to  1814;  Daniel 
Thorn,  1815;  Joel  Frost,  1816-17;  Joseph  Benedict,  1818;  Joel 
Frost,  1819-20;  Silas  Slawson,  1821;  Seth  Foster,  1822;  Silas 
Slawson,  1823-25;  Walker  Todd,  1826-28;  Silas  Slawson,  1829- 
30;  Thomas  Hazen,  1831-32;  Joseph  Morehouse,  1833;  Silas 
Slawson,  1834-35;  Robert  Austin,  1836-38;  AzorB.  Crane,  1839- 
40;  Wm.  H.  Sloat,  1841;  Robert  Wright,  1842-43;  Stephen 
Knapp,  1844;  Peter  Anderson,  1846-48;  Robert  Wright,  1849; 
Cornelius  Dean,  1850;  Peter  Anderson,  1861;  Robert  Wright, 
1852;  Wm.  Clawson,  1853;  Amzi  L.  Dean.  1854;  Israel  Pinck- 
ney, 1855;  Augustus  Hazen,  1856-57;  Henry  A.  Gahn,  1858-60; 
James  H.  Lee,  1861;  Isaac  Lounsbury,  1862;  Lewis  H.  Gregory, 
1863-66;  Nathan  L.  Thompson,  1867-69;  John  Cornish,  1870; 
Alonzo  W.  Hadden,  1871—72;  Charles  L.  Austin,  1873-77; 
Alonzo  W.  Hadden,  1878;  Augustus  Hazen,  1879;  Edward  C. 
Weeks,  1880;  Nathan  A.  Stokum,  1881;  Ambrose  Ryder,  1882; 
Augustus  Hazen,  1883-84;  Wm.  O.  Mead,  1885-86. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

TOWN   OF  CAR  MEL  (Concluded). 

The  Hill  Family.— The  Crane  Family.— The  Baldwin  Family.— The  Barrett  Fam- 
ily.— Abram  Cronk. — Cornelius  Dean. — Alotson  Dean. — Lewis  Ludington. — 
Charles  Henry  Ludington. — James  Ludington.— Zalmon  Ludington. — Deacon 
Aaron  Ganong. — Leonard  Yeamans. — The  Badeau  Family. — The  Hazen  Fam- 
ily.— Jeremiah  W.  Hazen. — The  Gregory  Family. — The  Austin  Family. — 
Lewis  Ga  Nun. — Thaddeus  R.  Ganung. — Robert  D.  Wixsom. — Nathan  L. 
Thompson. — James  C.  Gulick. — The  Miller.  Family. — Dr.  Henry  F.  MiUer. — 
Hon.  Henry  D.  Clapp. — Bryant  S.  Palmer. — Dr.  James  H.  Merritt. — The 
Foster  Family.— William  AV.  Everett.- The  Weeks  Family. 

THE  Hill  Family. — The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Capt. 
William  Hill,  who  came  from  England,  and  was  one  of 
the  early  settlers  on  the  Roger  Morris  Lot  in  Philipse  Patent. 
Captain  Hill,  who  was  born  in  1726,  married  Bethiah  Smith.. 
The  cliildren  of  this  marriage  were: 

1.  Noah,  born  in  1755,  who  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Israel 
Pinckney,  and  had  four  children:  Uriah,  Anthony,  Chloe,  wife 
of  David  Wright;  Esther,  wife  of  Seth  Curtis,  and  after  his 
death  married  Bently  H.  Wixsom.  Noah  Hill,  the  father  of 
this  family,  died  January  3d,  1830,  aged  75  years,  9  months 
6  days. 

2.  William,  born  December  14th,  1760,  died  November  29th, 
1851.  He  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Israel  Pinckney,  and 
their  children  were:  Gilbert,  Andrew,  Avery,  Jacob,  Alza,  Wil- 
liam, Sarah,  wife  of  Stephen  Pinckney,  Mary,  wife  of  Jabez 
Zeloph,  Rachel,  and  Bethia,  wife  of  Elijah  Depew. 

3.  Cornelius,  born  in  1764,  died  November  12th,  1815.  He 
married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Peter  Anderson,  and  had  chil- 
dren: Noah,  James,  Phebe,  wife  of  John  Smith,  and  Mary,  wife 
of  Arva  H.  Pierce. 

4.  Solomon,  who  was  a  Baptist  preacher,  and  went  to 
Canada. 


362  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAJr   COUNTY. 

5.  Andrew,  who  was  drowned  when  young. 

6.  Abraham,  whose  descendants  are  given  below. 

7.  Charity,  wife  of  Jonathan  Stokum. 

8.  Chloe,  wife  of  Joseph  Crane. 

9.  Esther,  wife  of  Charles  Heroy. 

10.  Jane,  wife  of  Thomas  Lounsbury. 

11.  Polly,  wife  of  Isaac  Rhodes. 

Abraham  Hill,  son  of  Capt.  William  Hill,  was  born  July  24th, 
1774,  and  died  March  25lh,  1813.  He  married  Deborah,  daugh- 
ter of  Israel  Lounsbury.  She  was  born  April  18th,  1780,  and 
died  September  6th,  1849;  they  were  married  January  18th, 
1798.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were:  Mary,  born  June 
19th,  1799;  Isaac;  Addison,  born  May  27th,  1803,  died  June  5th, 
1863;  Solomon;  Tamar,  born  May  31st,  1807,  married  James  W. 
Horton;  Thomas,  born  June  10th,  1809,  died  April  19th,  1878; 
and  Abraham,  born  May  5th,  1811. 

Isaac  Hill,  the  oldest  son  of  Abraham  Hill,  was  born  May  3d, 
1801,  and  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Horace  Gregory.  Their 
children  are:  Elizabeth  Gr.,  Mary  D.,  wife  of  Elias  B.  Glen,  of 
Wayne  cq,unty,  N.  Y.;  Sarah  F.,  wife  of  Irving  Wright;  InezC, 
and  Thomas  T.,  who  married  Ella  F.,  daughter  of  Manning 
Merrill,  and  has  two  children,  Frederick  M.  and  Alice  G.  The 
residence  of  Mr.  Isaac  Hill  is  about  a  mile  north  of  Red  Mills 
on  a  farm  that  was  purchased  of  William  H.  Johnston,  March 
8th,  1827,  and  which  is  bounded  east  by  Kirk  Lake.  Mr.  Hill 
died  March  1st,  1886,  at  the  age  of  85.  This  farm,  as  well  as 
that  of  Solomon  Hill  adjoining  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  I'oad 
running  north  from  Red  Mills  and  directly  opposite  the  original 
"  Hill  Farm  "  hereafter  described. 

Solomon  Hill,  son  of  Abraham  Hill,  was  born  April  9th,  1805. 
He  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Michael  Sloat,  and  his  chil- 
dren are:  Allen  B.,  Tamar  A.  (wife  of  Leonard  Curry  of  West 
Somers,  who  has  two  children,  Charles  H.  and  Jennie  B.),  and 
Charles  S.,  who  married  Clorinda,  daughter  of  Daniel  Squires, 
and  has  two  children,  Albert  L.  and  Nellie  F.  Mr.  Solomon 
Hill  is  now  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  80,  on  a  farm  abont  a 
mile  and  a  half  north  of  Red  Mills,  and  to  his  retentive  memory 
we  are  indebted  for  many  facts  relating  to  the  early  history  of 
this  vicinity. 

James  Hill,  son  of  Cornelius,  and  grandson  of  Captain  Wil- 
liam Hill,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Lewis  Pinckney,  and  has 


ISAAC  HILL. 


TOWN   OF   CARMJSL.  363 

children:  Cornelius,  Lewis,  Mary,  wife  of  Smith  S.  Austin; 
Charlotte  A.,  wife  of  Robert  D.  Wixsom;  Joseph  (deceased); 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Sturgis  Buckley;  Caroline,  wife  of  Leon 
Hotchkiss;  and  William  of  New  York  city.  Mr.  James  Hill  is 
now  living  on  a  portion  of  the  original  "Hill  Farm." 

Abraham  Hill,  son  of  Abraham  and  grandson  of  Capt.  Wil- 
liam, married  Tamar,  daughter  of  Daniel  Lounsbury.  They 
had  two  children,  Theodore  and  Hannah  J.,  wife  of  Peter  B. 
Curry,  2d,  of  Jefferson  Valley. 

The  old  homestead  of  the  Hill  family,  which  has  ever  borne 
the  name  of  the  "  Hill  Farm,"'  has  an  especial  interest  frona  the 
fact  that  it  was  the  iirst  piece  of  land  ever  sold  in  Putnam 
county.  In  the  deed  of  marriage  settlement  given  by  Mary 
Philipse  and  Roger  Morris  January  14th,  1758,  the  power  was 
reserved  to  sell  sufficient  land  to  amount  to  the  sum  of  £3,000. 
It  was  in  accordance  with  this  reservation  that  Roger  Morris 
and  his  wife  Mary  sold  to  William  Hill,  September  25th,  1763, 
the  farm  which  is  thus  described  in  the  deed  : 

"All  that  certain  farm:  known  as  farm  Number  36  of  Lot  No. 
5  of  the  lands  formerly  granted  by  Patent  to  Adolph  Philipse, 
Esq.,  which  said  farm  begins  at  a  hickory  sapling,  being  the 
north  corner  to  lots  No.  35  and  43,  and  running  south  six  de- 
grees, 45  minutes  east,  16  chains  37  links,  thence  south  9  de- 
grees 29  chains,  and  34  links  to  the  corner  of  lot  34,  thence  south 
33  degrees,  30  minutes,  west  16  chains  45  links,  thence  south  33 
degrees,  30  minutes  west,  11  chains  27  links  to  the  corner  of  lot 
number  15,  thence  south  88  degrees  west  33  chains  to  a  beech 
tree,  being  the  corner  to  lots  14,  15  and  37,  thence  north  7  de- 
grees 30  minutes  east  16  chains  59  links  to  an  ash  tree,  thence 
north  18  degrees  east  9  chains  to  a  maple  tree,  thence  north  41 
degrees  30  minutes  east,  11  chains  72  links  to  a  red  oak  tree, 
then  north  73,  east  32  chains,  83  links,  to  a  red  oak  tree  being 
the  corner  of  lot  No.  39,  thence  south  67  degrees,  15  minutes, 
east  4  chains,  39  links,  thence  north  24  degrees,  east  10  chains, 
33  links,  to  a  beech  tree:  being  the  corner  to  lot  number  40, 
thence  by  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  245 
acres." 

The  price  paid  for  this  tract  was  £750,  "  current  money  of  the 
Province  of  New  York."  The  mines  and  minerals  on  this  farm 
were  excepted  and  reserved.  In  accordance  with  the  usage  in 
those  days  a  lease  of  the  premises  "for  one  whole  year"  was 


364  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COTJNTY. 

given  to  William  Hill,  and  the  deed  was  executed  on  the  follow- 
ing day.  This  was  in  accordance  with  the  law  "for transferring 
uses  into  possession,"  by  which  a  person  holding  land  by  a  lease 
for  one  year  was  deemed  in  actual  possession. 

Capt.  William  Hill  divided  this  farm  among  four  of  his  sons; 
the  south  part,  containing  98  acres,  he  gave  to  Abraham,  whose 
heirs  sold  it  to  Thomas  Hill.  At  the  time  when  Anthony  Hoguet 
and  his  associates  were  anxious  to  buy  "Hoguet's  Point,"  in 
Lake  Mahopac,  of  Abijah  Smith,  he  refused  to  sell  unless  they 
would  buy  him  this  farm  in  its  place.  Accordingly  the  arrange- 
ment was  made,  and  Thomas  Hill  sold  it  to  Abijah  Smith  Sep- 
tember 15th,  1854,  and  he  lived,  on  it  till  the  time  of  his  death, 
when  it  fell  to  his  only  child,  Sarah,  who  married  Peter  B. 
Curry,  2d.  Their  only  surviving  child,  Sarah  A.,  married  Kel- 
sey  Agor,  and  they  are  now  the  owners  of  this  part  of  the  origi- 
nal "Hill  Farm." 

The  part  of  the  original  farm  next  north  of  the  above  was 
given  to  Solomon  Hill,  who  sold  it  to  his  brothers,  Abraham  and 
Cornelius,  and  it  is  now  owned  by  Cornelius  Hill,  the  grandson 
of  the  Cornelius  above.  This  part  was  20  acres,  and  next  north 
was  42  acres,  which  was  given  to  Noah  Hill,  who  sold  it  to 
Thomas  Lounsbury.  He  conveyed  it  to  James  Hill,  son  of  Cor- 
nelius, and  it  was  sold  by  his  assignees  to  Cornelius,  son  of 
James  Hill,  who  now  owns  it. 

To  the  north  of  this  was  a  tract  of  27  acres  given  to  William 
Hill.  He  sold  it  to  Abraham,  his  brother,  who  left  it  to  his  chil- 
dren. It  was  purchased  by  Solomon  and  Isaac  Hill  from  the  other 
heirs,  and  they  sold  to  their  brother,  Thomas,  who  re-sold  it  to 
Solomon,  and  it  was  sold  by  him  to  Asahel  H.  Humphreys,  De- 
cember 24th,  1879,  and  it  now  belongs  to  the  Mahopac  Iron 
Company,  and  the  "Hill  Mine"  is  located  on  it. 

At  the  north  end  of  the  original  farm  was  a  piece  of  10  acres 
given  to  Noah  Hill  to  make  his  part  as  good  as  the  rest.  He 
conveyed  it  to  his  brother,  Abraham,  who  left  it  to  his  children, 
and  it  was  bought  by  Solomon  from  the  rest  of  the  heirs  and 
sold  by  him  to  Anthony  Stokum,  and  it  was  sold  by  his  ad- 
ministrators to  William  Agor,  its  present  owner. 

The  old  house  in  which  Capt.  William  Hill  resided,  stood 
just  north  of  the  family  burying  ground.  It  was  torn  down 
about  1843. 


TOWN   OF   CABMEL.  365 

In  the  family  burying  ground  on  this  farm  are  the  graves  of 
several  generations. 

Capt.  WilliamlHill,  the  ancestor  of  the  family,  died  in  August, 
1796,  aged  70.  His  wife,  Bethia,  died  in  August,  1798,  at  the 
age  of  60. 

The  dates  of  the  deaths  of  the  other  members  of  the  family 
are  given  above.  An  elegant  monument  marks  the  resting 
place  of  the  wife  of  Charles  S.  Hill,  Gloriana,  who  died  January 
5th,  1884,  at  the  age  of  forty-four. 

The  Crane  Family. — The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  John 
Crane,  who  came  from  Suffolk,  England,  and  settled  in  Massa- 
chusetts about  1676.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Indian  war  of 
1720,  and  present  at  the  attack  on  Deerfield.  Fortunately  es- 
caping from  the  battle  he  afterward  settled  at  Windham,  Con- 
necticut. He  is  said  to  have  had  two  sons,  Jonathan  and 
Joseph,   the  latter  settling  in  New  Jersey. 

Jonathan  Crane  had  one  son,  Joseph,  who  was '  born  May 
17th,  1869,  and  removed  to  the  Oblong  about  1740,  and  settled 
on  the  bank  of  the  Croton  River.  Here  he  built  "Crane's 
Mills,"  which  were  frequently  mentioned  as  a  landmark  in  the 
early  records.  These  mills  are  on  the  premises  now  owned  by 
Stephen  C.  Barnum,  Esq.,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  below 
Milltown,  but  the  site  once  so  famous  in  our  local  history  will 
doubtless  soon  be  obliterated  by  the  building  of  the  new  reser- 
voir. 

Joseph  Crane  died  August  20th,  1781,  at  the  age  of  85,  leav- 
ing children:  Zebulon,  born"  January  25th,  1721,  died  January 
24lh,  1789;  Joseph,  2d,  born  September  13th,  1722,  died  October 
14th,  1800;  Mary,  born  May  30th,  1726,  died  March  17th,  1805; 
Thaddeus,  born  March  28th,  1728,  died  in  September,  1803; 
Abijah,  born  April  3d,  1730,  died  1806;  Anna,  born  April  12th, 
1732,  died  March  25th,  1814;  and  Adah,  born  October  25th,  1736, 
married  James  Baldwin. 

Joseph  Crane,  the  father  of  this  family,  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Couch.  She  was  born  December  15th,  1695. 
Zebula  Crane,  the  oldest  son,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Belden.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were  :  Capt.  John, 
born  November  24th,  1742,  died  June  7th,  1827;  William,  born 
1744;  Zebulas,  born  August  7th,  1746,  died  December  31st,  1814; 
Elijah,  born  April  1st,  1748;  Sarah,  born  July  12th,  1750;  Mary, 


366  HISTOBT    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

born  October  8th,  1752;  Belden,  born  November  31st,  1754; 
Samuel,  born  April  llth,  1757;  Abijah,  born  May  26th,  1759; 
Stephen,  born  April  11th,  1761;  Anna,  born  August  3d,  1763; 
and  Seth,  born  in  1766.  Mrs.  Sarah  Crane  and  five  of  her  chil- 
dren, uamelj^,  Mary,  Belden,  Stephen,  Seth  and  Anna,  died  in 
1769,  while  the  family  w^as  living  in  Litchfield,  Connecticut. 

Capt.  John  Crane,  the  oldest  son,  married  Tamar,  daughter 
of  John  and  Hannah  Carpenter.  They  were  married  March  1st, 
1764,  by  Rev.  Eliphalet  Ball,  the  first  settled  minister  of  Balls- 
ton,  Saratoga  county,  N.  Y.  The  children  of  this  marriage 
were:  Joseph,  born  June  3d,  1766,  died  December  25th,  1835; 
Adah,  born  June  6th",  1768,  married  Moses  Fowler;  Stephen, 
born  November  1st,  1770,  died  September  9th,  1826,  moved  to 
New  York;  John,  born  June  6th,  1773,  died  June  1st,  1825; 
Elijah,  born  October  3d,  1775,  married  Abraham  Knox;  Nathaniel, 
born  February  28th,  1778,  died  September  27th,  1855;  Sarah, 
born  June  27th,  1780,  married  Alvah  Trowbridge;  Arabella, 
born  December  25th,  1784,  married  William  Waters;  Clorinda, 
born  October  2d,  1787,  married  James  Reed. 

Joseph  Crane,  the  oldest  son,  married  Chloe  Hill.  Their 
children  were:  Ira,  who  went  to  Yates  county;  Noah,  who  died 
unmarried;  Judge  Azor  B. ;  Ada,  wife  of  James  Baldwin; 
Emeline,  wife  of  Reynolds  Piatt;  Cornelia,  wife  of  Lewis 
Crosby;  Betsey,  wife  of  Thomas  Foster;  Zillah,  wife  of  Gilbert 
Travis. 

John  Crane  (the  fourth  son),  married  Hannah,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Gregory,  and  had  children :  Samuel;  Eliza,  wife  of 
Stephen  Knapp;  Sally,  wife  of  Gilbert  Ganung;  Elijah;  Clo- 
rinda, wife  of  Stephen  Monk;  Nancy,  wife  of  Elias  Newman; 
Nancy,  wife  of  William  Monk;  Harriett,  wife  of  Isaac  New- 
man; Annis,  wife  of  John  Monk;  Ada,  wife  of  Benjamin  Mead; 
Alsas;  Rosalinda,  wife  of  Henry  A.  Gahn;  and  Susan,  wife  of 
Lewis  Hutchings. 

Nathaniel  Crane  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
Townsend.  Their  children  were:  John,  who  died  in  childhood; 
Tamar;  Caroline,  wife  of  Pierce  Pinckney;  Charlotte,  wife  of 
Ammon  N.  Fowler;  Joseph,  left  no  descendants;  Nathaniel  M., 
now  living  at  Mahopac;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas  Wright; 
Augusta  S.,  wife  of  Reuben  W.  Kirkham,  and  Benjamin  T. 

Benjamin  T.  Crane,  born  January  24th,  1824,  is  now  living  on 
the  old  homestead  of  his  grandfather.  Captain  John  Crane. 


^   iX^. 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL,  367 

This  was  a  large  farm  when  sold  to  Capt.  Crane  by  the  com- 
missioners of  forfeiture,  and  he  added  to  it  very  largely  by 
various  purchases,  and  as  his  sons  grew  up  and  were  married, 
he  gave  them  farms.  His  oldest  son,  Joseph,  had  the  farm 
where  his  grandson,  Ira  Crane,  now  lives.  Stephen  had  a  farm 
two  miles  south  of  Lake  Mahopac,  and  now  owned  by  Cornelius 
Dean.  John  had  a  farm  of  ]  30  acres  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road,  and  opposite  the  old  homestead.  To  Nathaniel  he  left 
the  homestead,  and  it  descended  to  Mr.  Benjamin  T.  Crane,  the 
present  owner,  who  also  owns  the  greater  part  of  the  farm  given 
to  John  Crane. 

The  original  house  which  was  the  home  of  Capt.  John  Crane, 
and  where  he  kept  a  tavern  for  fifty  years,  was  an  old  fashioned, 
long,  low  one-story  building,  an  excellent  style  of  the  dwelling 
built  before  the  Revolution.  It  was  torn  down  in  1878,  having 
stood  more  than  a  century.  The  present  elegant  residence  was 
built  three  years  previous  to  the  destruction  of  the  old  one. 
.  Mr.  Benjamin  T.  Crane  passed  the  early  part  of  his  life  on 
the  old  homestead.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  commenced 
business  as  a  cattle  drover,  and  followed  it  for  fifteen  years. 
He  then  settled  on  the  farm,  and  made  agriculture  his  principal 
business.  To  the  original  tract  he  added  by  purchase  the  farm 
formerly  owned  by  his  nncle,  John  Crane,  and  the  old  Baldwin 
farm  formerly  the  homestead  of  Elisha  Baldwin,  the  ancestor  of 
that  family,  so  that  his  real  estate  now  exceeds  300  acres.  Mr. 
Crane  married  Emma  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Washburn,  of 
Carmel,  January  11th,  1860.  She  died  December  21st,  1883. 
The  children  are  Aurelia,  Samuel  B.,  Gertrude,  Nathaniel  M., 
and  Benjamin  T.,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  at  home.  Mr. 
Crane  held  the  ofiice  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  sixteen  years, 
besides  other  positions  of  public  tnist.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
Putnam  County  National  Bank.  For  many  years  he  has  been 
a  trustee  of  the  Gilead  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  closely  con- 
nected with  its  interests. 

Capt.  John  Crane  was  a  brave  and  gallant  officer  in  the  Rev- 
olution and  a  highly  respected  and  influential  citizen  in  civil 
life.  He  was  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Common  Pleas  in 
Dutchess  county,  and  also  of  Putnam,  after  its  establishment. 
Many  anecdotes  are  related  of  his  shrewdness  and  eccentrici- 
ties. Joseph  Cjane  was  also  one  of  the  judges  of  Common 
Pleas  in  1813. 


368  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Judge  Azor  B.  Crane  was  born  May  25fcli,  1801,  and  died 
October  14th,  1864.  He  married  Aurelia,  daughter  of  Demas 
Doane.  She  was  born  February  21st,  1814,  and  died  October 
22d,  1859.  Their  children  were:  Benjamin  D.,  born  September 
6ih,  1832,  living  in  Carmel;  Ira,  born  August  13th,  1834;  Azor 
B.,  born  May  15th,  1838,  died  September  9th,  1841;  George  T., 
born  February  28th,  1840,  died  March  2d,  1841;  George  B., 
born  August  3d,  1845,  died  June  19th,  1848;  Joseph  H.,  born 
December  12th,  1850,  and  now  living  at  Mt.  Kisco. 

Judge  Azor  B.  Crane  was  born  on  the  homestead  of  his  father, 
Joseph  Crane.  This  place,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  home- 
steads in  the  county,  was  the  original  home  of  Deacon  Eleazar 
Hamblin,  who  settled  here  in  1740.  It  was  afterward  in  pos- 
session of  John  Carpenter,  whose  daughter,  Tamar,  married 
Capt.  John  Crane,  and  it  was  purchased  from  the  heirs  of  John 
Carpenter  by  Joseph  Crane.  The  old  house  built  by  Deacon 
Hamblin  stood  just  north  of  the  present  residence  of  Ira  Crane, 
and  on  "  Fish  Brook,"  the  outlet  of  Long  Pond,  and  on  the. 
south  end  of  the  original  farm  Deacon  Hamblin  had  his  saw 
mill,  which  is  mentioned  in  the  survey  of  Lot  6  in  1762. 

Judge  Azor  B.  Crane  was,  during  his  whole  life,  one  of  the 
principal  citizens  of  Putnam  county.  In  1843,  he  was  appointed 
judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 

He  was  the  first  county  judge  and  surrogate  elected  under 
the  new  constitution  in  1847.  He  held  offices  of  honor  and 
trust  in  the  county  for  many  years. 

The  farm  which  descended  to  him  from  his  father,  is  situated 
very  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  town  of  Carmel,  the  east  bound- 
ary being  the  original  line  between  Lots  5  and  6,  in  the  Philipse 
Patent. 

In  private  life  the  judge  was  a  man  of  great  benevolence  and 
kindly  feeling,  which  made  him  popular  among  all  classes  of 
people,  and  the  poor  and  afflicted  found  in  him  a  ready  and 
efficient  friend.  In  public  affairs  he  was  noted  for  his  integ- 
rity and  good  business  capacity,  and  his  opinions  and  discus- 
sions were  always  received  with  the  respect  they  most  justly 
deserved. 

Ira  Crane,  son  of  Judge  Azor  B.,  inherited  the  old  homestead 
which  has  now  been  in  possession  of  the  family  for  three  gen- 
erations. Upon  this  he  has  passed  his  days  as  an  agriculturist. 
For  several  years  he  has  been  connected  with  town  affairs  as 


'ySn^  /rO    ci?'^-^*^'''^-^^- 


TOWN   OF    CARMEL.  369 

overseer  of  the  poor  and  commissioner  of  highways.  The  farm, 
as  stated  before,  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  Roger  Morris  lot. 
The  north  boundary  extends  from  the  east  line  of  this  lot  west 
to  Long  Pond.  Its  original  south  boundary  toward  the  east 
side  was  "  Fish  Brook  where  Deacon  Hamblin  in.  the  olden 
time  had  his  saw  mill." 

Mr.  Crane  married  Louisa  E.,  daughter  of  Martin  Strang  of 
Y  orktown.     They  have  one  son,  Agor  B. ,  born  October  8th,  1884. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Crane  was  built  by  John  Carpentei', 
shortly  after  the  Revolution.  It  has  been  greatly  enlarged  and 
improved  by  Joseph  Crane  and  his  son,  the  Judge. 

Joseph  Crane,  2d,  lived  on  the  old  homestead  in  Southeast, 
on  the  Oblong,  and  died  there  leaving  a  family  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren: Colonel  Jonathan,  born  April  27th,  1747,  died  August  27th, 
1834;  Dr.  Joseph,  born  1749,  died  November  21st,  1825;  Solomon, 
born  December  26th,  1750;  Isaac,  born  January  26th,  1753; 
Eunice,  born  November  20th,  1754,  married  Comfort  Sears; 
Esther,  born  December  26th,  1756;  Josiah,  born  July  11th,  1759; 
Ira,  born  August  14th,  1761;  Daniel,  born  September  17th,  1763; 
Nathan,  born  August  1st,  1765;  Molly,  born  May  21st,  1767; 
Josiah  N.,  born  June  10th,  1770;  Arza,  born  September  29th, 
1772. 

Colonel  Jonathan  Crane  married  Bethia  Baldwin,  and  his 
children  were  Deborah,  Josiah,  Isaac,  Anson,  Jonathan,  Esther, 
and  Orvin  B.  Nearly  all  of  these  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Milltown. 

The  homestead  of  Col.  Jonathan  Crane  was  on  Crane's  Ridge, 
in  the  town  of  Southeast.  This  farm  contained  118  acres  and 
was  sold  to  him  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  after  the 
Revolution.  It  was  left  to  his  son,  Anson  Crane,  by  whose  heirs 
it  was  sold,  and  passed  out  of  the  possession  of  the  family.  It 
is  now  the  property  of  Charles  C.  Fitzhugh,  Esq.  For  several 
years  previous  to  the  i^urchase  by  its  present  owner,  it  was 
owned  by  John  T.  Kennedy,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  who  gave  it 
the  name  of  "  Fairview  Manor,"  by  which  it  is  now  known. 
This  farm  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Oblong  line. 

Dr.  Joseph  Crane  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
in  1776  and  member  of  Assembly  1778-79  and  1796. 

Col.  Jonathan  was  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  the  county 
during  the  Revolution,  and  was  esteemed  as  a  brave  and  prudent 
officer. 

34 


370  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

The  Baldwin  Family'. — The  ancestors  of  this  family  were 
four  brothers,  George,  John,  Henry  and  James,  who  came  to 
America  about  1740,  and  settled  in  Connecticut. 

James,  the  youngest,  came  to  Carmel  about  1750,  and  was  the 
ancestor  of  all  the  families  of  that  name  in  Putnam  county. 
He  had  five  sons:  Elisha,  Henry,  Ephraim,  James  and  Pearce; 
and  four  daughters:  Phebe,  Jatharine,  Charity  and  Hannah. 

Elisha  Baldwin  was  an  early  resident  near  Lake  Mahopac,  liis 
homestead  being  a  farm  now  owned  by  Benjamin  T.  Crane.  He 
married  Elizabetli  Cromwell,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  Elisha,  Daniel,  James,  Mary,  wife  of  James  Sutton; 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Youngs;  Zilphia,  wife  of  Solomon 
Wright;  and  Laetitia,  wife  of  Martin  Shears.  Of  the  sons, 
Elisha,  the  eldest,  settled  in  Dutchess  county;  James,  the  young- 
est, married  Adah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Crane,  and  had  sons: 
Noah  and  James  E.  of  Peekskill. 

Daniel  Baldwin  was  born  in  1777,  and  died  January  24th,  1842. 
By  various  purchases  he  became  one  of  the  most  extensive  land 
owners  around  Lake  Mahopac,  and  built  the  "Baldwin  House," 
which  was  an  extensive  and  well  patronized  hotel,  and  was 
burned  about  1855.  He  married  Hannah  Strang,  one  of  a  family  of 
thirteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  lived  to  the  average  age  of  88 
years.  Hannah  Strang  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  Strang,  of  York- 
town,  who  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolution,  and  a  gallant  officer. 
Their  children  were:  Elisha,  Hazzard,  Henry  S.,  Elizabeth,  wife 
of  Samuel  Berry,  and  Gertrude,  wife  of  Robert  Smith. 

Henry  S.  Baldwin  was  born  November  13th,  1801,  and  his 
earliest  years  were  passed  on  the  old  homestead.  When  ten 
years  of  age  he  came  with  his  jjarents  to  reside  on  the  old  Mabie 
farm,  which  his  father  had  bought,  the  house  standing  on  the 
shore  of  the  lake.  This  was  torn  down  and  a  new  dwelling 
erected  on  the  same  site  in  1826,  which  was  burned  as  stated 
above.  In  1827  Mr.  Baldwin  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Eleazar 
Baldwin,  and  began  life  for  himself,  settling  on  a  farm  of  100 
acres,  which  belonged  to  his  father.  On  this  farm  he  built  the 
mansion  now  known  as  the  Carpenter  House  at  Lake  Mahopac, 
in  1827.  At  one  time  he  owned  here  225  acres  of  land.  Of  this 
he  sold  125  acres  to  Ebenezer  Horton,  on  which  the  "  Horton 
Cottage"  was  built,  and  in  1868  he  sold  100  acres  to  Samuel 
Kaufman  for  $30,000.  Mr.  Kaufman  proceeded  to  make  great- 
improvements  upon  the  premises,  and  erected  the  "Kaufman 


3^i 


\ 


-,afhu    I-lBOTi-    Ci-n^:  N -r 


.TOWN  OF   CAEMEL.  371 

House  "  at  a  large  expense.  About  1840  Mr.  Baldwin  purchased 
the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  of  William  Bailey.  This  farm 
was  formerly  a  portion  of  the  estate  of  Devoe  Bailey,  and  the 
location,  which  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  about  half  a  mile 
south  of  the  lake,  was  in  early  times  known  as  "  Kenicot's  Hill," 
probably  from  an  early  occupant.  Here  he  built  his  present  resi- 
dence in  1868,  and  has  made  agriculture  his  occupation  for  the 
greater  part  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Baldwin  has  two  sons,  James  M.  and  Henry  R.  The 
former  is  now  living  in  Kansas,  where  he  is  the  owner  of  sev- 
eral thousands  of  acres  of  land,  and  is  very  extensively  engaged 
in  stock  raising.  The  latter  has  a  very  extensive  farm  in  York- 
town,  Westchester  county,  on  which  he  now  resides.  Mrs.  Eliza 
Baldwin  died  December  22d,  1884,  at  the  age  of  76.  Mr.  Bald- 
win, now  in  his  84th  year,  but  as  vigorous  as  many  a  man  twenty 
years  younger,  still  takes  a  lively  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the 
county  and  town. 

A  few  words  concerning  other  branches  of  the  Baldwin  family 
may  not  be  amiss.  Elislia  Baldwin,  as  stated  above,  had  four 
brothei"s.  Pierce,  James,  Ephraim  and  Henry. 

The  last  married  Mary  Lounsbury,  and  had  children:  Henry, 
James,  Eleazar,  John,  Isaac,  Lydia,  wife  of  Obed  Cole,  Sarah, 
wife  of  Stephen  Hitchcock,  and  Hannah.  Of  these  Eleazar  was 
born  in  1784  and  died  in  1868.  He  married  Hannah,  daughter 
of  Reuben  Cole,  and  had  two  children,  Reuben  D.  and  Eliza, 
wife  of  Henry  S.  Baldwin. 

Reuben  D.  Baldwin  owned  a  farm  at  Baldwin's  Place  Station 
on  the  New  York  City  &  Northern  Railroad,  and  gave  the 
land  for  the  depot  on  condition  it  should  be  called  by  that 
name. 

James  Baldwin,  brother  of  Eleazar,  was  born  in  1759.  He 
removed  from  Carmel  to  Southeast,  where  he  had  a  large  farm 
on  Starr's  Ridge.  He  exchanged  this  for  a  farm  near  Luding- 
tonville  about  1827,  where  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  days.  He 
married  Susannah  Vail  in  1780.  Their  children  were:  Daniel, 
born  1781,  died  1874,  married  Betsy  Field;  Fanny,  wife  of  Peter 
Dykeman;  Henry,  born  1787,  died  1863,  married  Mary  Smith; 
Polly,  .wife  of  James  Townsend;  Aaron,  born  1791,  died  unmar- 
ried 1812;  James,  born  1793,  died  1865,  married  Cornelia  Lud- 
ington;  Betsy,  wife  of  Allen  Light,  born  1799,  died  1833;  Dorcas, 
wife  of  Peter  Whitney;  Nathan  C,  born  1800,  died  March  2d, 


372  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

1884,  married  Eliza  Smith;  Susan,  wife  of  David  Russell;  Han- 
nah J.,  wife  of  Jacob  Sunderlin.  She  was  murdered  at  her 
residence  in  Patterson  in  March,  1883. 

Nathan  C.  Baldwin,  the  ninth  child,  was  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  not  only  the  last  of  his  father's  family,  but  the  last  of  a 
whole  generation.  At  one  time  he  had  93  brothers,  sisters  and 
cousins,  on  his  father' s  and  mother's  side,  and  outlived  them 
all.  He  died  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  Peter  W.  Baldwin,  of 
Pawling,  March  2d,  1884. 

Another  son,  W.  R.  Baldwin,  is  a  lawyer  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

The  Barrett  Family.  —In  the  list  of  taxpayers  of  Fredricks- 
burg  in  1777  appear  the  names  of  Isaac,  James,  John,  Justus 
W.  and  Marcus  Barrett.  What  relation  they  were  to  each 
other  cannot  be  traced  with  certainty. 

Isaac  Barrett  married  Jemima  Lockwood,  and  their  children 
were:  Mary,  wife  of  Marcus  Barrett;  John,  born  about  177,'5,  and 
died  in  December,  1861;  Ebenezer;  Abigail,  wife  of  Joseph 
Haight;  and  Isaac,  born  January  23d,  1788,  died  November 
13th,  1869. 

Isaac  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  John  Beyea,  who  was  born 
in  1792,  and  died  December  26th,  1871.  They  were  married 
March  10th,  1813,  and  the  children  of  this  marriage  were:  Sarah, 
born  July  nth,  1816,  married  Theodore  B.  Wilson;  and  Peter 
Beyea,  born  September  26th,  1829. 

Mr.  Peter  B.  Barrett,  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Enos 
Hazen,  who  was  born  August  17th,  1829.  They  were  married 
June  4th,  1851,  and  have  four  children;  Isaac  L.,  Thomas  E., 
Sarah  J.,  and  Emma  J.  (deceased). 

The  farm  upon  which  his  home  is  situated  was  originally 
Farm  No.  15,  of  the  Morris  Lot,  and  was  sold  after  the  Revolu- 
tion to  Stephen  Whitney,  who  sold  it  to  his  son-inlaw,  Michael 
Vandervoort,  who  kept  a  tavern  there  in  the  olden  times.  This 
house  stood  a  short  distance  north  of  Mr.  Barrett's  residence, 
and  was  sold  to  his  father,  Isaac  Barrett,  by  William  and  Sarah 
Vandervoort  April  9th,  1829.  The  old  house  was  torn  down  in 
1859,  and  on  the  site  Mr.  Barrett  erected  a  dwelling  honse  which 
he  now  owns.  The  farm  extended  north  to  the  famou-s  "  Hill 
Farm,"  and  south  to  a  point  below  the  Baptist  church. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Barrett  is  on  a  portion  of  the  original 
farm,  and  was  bought  and  owned  by  Richard  Dean  in  1794.  He 


J>iJ^J^  S^iAuth 


TOWN   OF   OAEMEL.  373 

is  said  to  have  sold  two  acres  of  it  to  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  a  parsonage  was  built  on  it.  Tins  house  and  lot  having 
been  given  by  the  church  to  one  of  the  ministers,  Rev.  Stephen 
Dodd,  he  is  reported  to  have  sold  it,  and  after  some  transfers  it 
was  purchased  by  Mr.  Isaac  Barrett  about  1826.  The  parsonage 
house,  a  plain  old-fashioned  building,  was  torn  down,  and  the 
present  elegant  residence  erected  in  1873. 

The  old  orchard  south  of  the  house  was  the  place  where  the 
first  meetings  of  the  Baptist  society  were  held,  and  the  church 
lot  was  donated  by  Mr.  Isaac  Barrett,  who,  with  his  family,  was 
closely  identified  with  the  advancement  and  welfare  of  the  so- 
ciety. 

The  place  descended  to  Mr.  Peter  B.  Barrett  at  the  decease  of 
his  father,  which  occured  in  1869.  Mr.  Barrett  has  made  agri- 
culture the  business  of  his  life,  and  in  addition  to  the  original 
Vandervoort  farm  he  has  purchased  a  portion  of  the  old  "Mill 
farm,"  formerly  owned  b^''  Judge  Robert   Johnston. 

Mr.  Barrett  has  been  connected  with  town  affairs  as  commis- 
sioner of  highways,  and  overseer  of  poor.  For  many  years 
he  has  been  deacon  of  the  Baptist  Church  his  father  helped  to 
build.  In  politics  he  has  ever  been  a  strong  supporter  of  the 
republican  party. 

Isaac  Barrett,  the  grandfather,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution, 
and  one  of  the  guards  stationed  at  Red  Mills. 

The  original  home  of  the  family  is  in  the  locality  known  as 
Barrett  Hill,  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  town  of  Carmel. 

Isaac  Barrett  left  the  old  homestead  to  his  heirs,  and  it  was 
eventually  purchased  by  John  Barrett  who  bought  the  shares  of 
the  rest.  On  this  place  he  lived  and  died,  and  the  place  de- 
scended to  his  son,  Allen,  whose  heirs  sold  it  to  John  Parker, 
the  present  owner. 

John  Barrett,  the  eldest  son  of  Isaac  Barrett,  was  born  about 
1775  and  died  in  December,  1861.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Isaac  Drew,  and  their  children  were:  Ferris,  who  married 
Laura,  daughter  of  Eider  Moseman  Barrett,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren, Absalom,  and  Sarles;  Jemima,  wife  of  Samuel  Barrett; 
Allen,  who  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Drew,  and  had 
two  children,  James  W.  and  Charity,  wife  of  Chauncey  Smith; 
Sarah,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Wixsom;  John,  who  married  Marga- 
ret, daughter  of  Michael  Mead,  and  is  now  living  at  Fishkill; 
Fanny,  wife  of    Hiram  Cole;    Simeon,    who    married    Emily, 


374  HISTORY   or  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

daughter  of  Jacob  Clawson,  and  is  living  in  Cataraugus  county; 
Annis,  wife  of  Moses  Mead;  Moseman,  who  married  Margaret 
Gay,  and  after  her  decease  married  Cornelia,  daughter  of  Fred  • 
erick  Ludington  (He  has  a  son  George  D.,  who  lives  at  Red 
Mills);  Isaac  D. ;  Wright,  who  married  Rebecca,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Clawson,  and  is  living  in  Dutchess  county  (He  has  two 
sons,  Oscar  and  John  J.);  and  Amanda,  who  died  young 

Isaac  D.  Barrett,  the  tenth  child  named  above,  was  born  at 
the  old  homestead  on  Barrett  HiU,  October  27th,  1829.  At  this 
place  he  remained  till  the  time  of  his  marriage,  and  then  began 
housekeeping  on  a  portion  of  the  original  farm.  Here  he  stayed 
two  years,  and  then  removed  to  a  farm  which  his  father  bought 
in  Peekskill  Hollow,  and  now  owned  by  Sarles  Drew.  He  after- 
ward purchased  a  farm  of  George  Tompkins,  south  of  Red  Mills, 
and  lived  on  it  nine  years.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  on  the 
west  side  of  Lake  Mahopac  of  Abram  Cronk,  which  he  sold,  and 
it  became  a  part  of  the  lands  of  the  Lake  Mahopac  Improve- 
ment Company. 

In  1872,  Mr.  Barrett  purchased  his  present  residence  from  the 
heirs  of  Selah  Ballard.  This  place,  which  is  on  the  east  side  of 
the  road,  a  short  distance  south  of  the  Red  Mills  Presbyterian 
Church,  has  been  greatly  improved  by  him,  and  is  an  elegant 
and  convenient  home. 

Mr.  Barrett  has  made  agriculture  his  principal  business,  and 
has  held  the  office  of  assessor  for  several  years.  As  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  church,  his  interest  in  its  welfare  has  never 
ceased.  For  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  deacon  in  the  church, 
and  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  all  of  his  brothers  have  held  the 
same  office  in  this  or  other  churches.  He  is  also  superintendent 
of  the  Sabbath  school  and  treasurer  of  the  society. 

Mr.  Barrett  married  Tamar,  daughter  of  Abram  Cronk,  Feb- 
ruary 14th,  1852.  They  were  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  who 
died  December  11th,  1879,  at  the  early  age  of  22. 

This  young  lady  was  a  general  favorite  in  the  community, 
and  a  bright  and  shining  ornament  in  the  Baptist  church  of 
which  she  was  a  loved  member.  Her  loss  was  deeply  felt  and 
greatly  mourned.  The  following  notice,  which  appeared  in  the 
papers,  expressed  the  feelings  of  all  who  knew  her : 

"Bakrett— At  Mahopac  Falls,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  11th,  1879,  Miss 
Ida  E.,  only  daughter  of  Deacon  Isaac  D.  and  Tamar  A.  Bar- 
rett, in  her  23d  year. 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL.  375 

"  Her  life  from  childhood  was  devoted  to  Christ.  She  was 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Mahopac  Falls  Baptist 
church  in  the  14th  year  of  her  age,  and  her  spotless  character 
and  pleasant  manner  won  the  admiration  and  love  of  all.  Dur- 
ing her  sickness  of  nearly  five  years  her  suffering  was  at  times 
intense,  and  she  had  many  fears  that  she  would  fail  to  gain 
heaven,  but  she  never  murmured.  Her  constant  prayer  was 
that  Jesus  might  be  with  her,  and  Jesus  indeed  was.  Her 
last  days  were  passed  in  almost  angelic  serenity  and  she  passed 
trustingly  into  promised  rest." 

Abbam  Cronk. — The  family  of  this  name  were  among  the 
early  Dutch  settlers  of  Westchester  county,  and  are  probably 
descended  from  Siebert  Cronk,  the  first  of  the  name  which 
appears. 

Abram  Cronk  was  born  October  29th,  1799,  and  died  April  26th, 
1871.  He  married  Billecha,  daughter  of  Robert  Wixson,  who 
was  born  February  20th,  1805,  and  died  March  1st,  1884.  Their 
children  were:  Joseph  A.,  born  October  3d,  1841,  and  died  un- 
married August  14th,  18(36;  Mary,  wife  of  Henry  J.  Pierce; 
Tamar,  born  September  14th,  1831,  and  married  Isaac  D.  Bar- 
rett; Hannah  J.,  wife  of  Frederick  J.  Wardell;  and  Susan  E., 
born  July  22d,  1833,  and  died  unmarried  February  16th, 
1872. 

Abram  Cronk,  the  father  of  this  family,  was  a  resident  of  Red 
Mills,  and  during  a  long  life  was  an  earnest  member  of  the 
chui'ch,  and  known  to  the  community  as  a  good  man  and  useful 
citizen.  By  his  death  the  Baptist  society  lost  one  of  its  bright- 
est members  and  one  who  was  foremost  in  all  good  works. 

Cornelius  Dean. — Richard  Dean,  who  was  an  early  resident 
near  Red  Mills,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  killed 
at  the  storming  of  Stony  Point.  His  wife  was  Susan  Ward,  and 
their  only  child  was  Richard,  who  was  born  September  10th, 
1771.  He  married,  August  27th,  1794,  Althea,  daughter  of  Smith 
Austin,  who  was  born' January  17th,  1777.  The  children  of  this 
marriage  were:  Anne,  born  August  19th,  1795,  married  Uriah 
Hill;  John,  born  October  17th,  1797;  Mary,  born  March  15th, 
1800,  married 'William  Alley;  Smith  A.,  born  March  10th,  1802, 
died  in  Kane  county,  HI.,  1849;  Stephen  D.,  born  January  13th, 
1804  (he  went  in  1849  on  an  overland  journey  to  California,  and 
was  never  heard  from  afterward);  Ada,  born  March  28th,  1806; 


376  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Ira  W.,  born  July  3d,  1809,  died  in  Buffalo  in  1853;  Amzi  L., 
born  September  5th,  1811;  Cornelius,  born  Januarj^  13th,  1814; 
Lewis  A.,  born  July  9th,  1816,  now  living  in  Aurora,  111.;  and 
William  A.,  died  in  1854. 

Amzi  L.  Dean  was  a  very  prominent  citizen  of  the  town.  He 
was  supervisor  in  1854,  and  clerk  of  the  board  of  supervisors  for 
many  years.  He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Joshua  Louns- 
bury,  June  4th,  1836,  and  had  three  sons:  Joshua  L.,  Adrian 
H.,  and  William  A.,  who  are  now  living  at  Lake  Mahopac. 

Cornelius  Dean  was  born  at  Red  Mills,  January  13th,  1814, 
and  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  school  of  the  vil- 
lage. He  was  elected  supervisor  of  Carmel  in  1850,  and  has  held 
other  town  offices.  He  has  always  been  intimately  connected 
with  the  political  affairs  of  the  democratic  party. 

The  homestead  farm  on  which  Mr.  Cornelius  Dean  now  lives, 
is  situated  southeast  from  Lake  Mahopac  and  not  far  from  the 
Westchester  county  line.  This  farm  was  originally  owned  by 
Abraham  Mabie,  who  lived  on  it  many  years  before  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  afterward  bought  it  from  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feiture. He  sold  it  to  Stephen  Crane,  who  conveyed  it  to  John 
Carpenter,  and  he  sold  it  to  James  S.  Horton,  March  4th,  1816. 
It  was  sold  by  Silas  Slawson  and  others,  assignees  of  James  S. 
Horton,  to  Richard  Dean  in  1825,  and  from  him  it  descended  to 
its  present  owner.  The  old  house  built  by  Abraham  Mabie,  stood 
on  the  west  side  of  the  road  opposite  the  present  residence.  A 
rough  stone  marked  "A.  M.  1765,"  is  still  preserved  froni  the 
old  house,  and  gives  the  initials  of  its  owner  and  the  time  of  its 
erection.  The  present  residence  of  Mr.  Dean  was  built  by  John 
Carpenter  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 

Mr.  Dean  was  coroner  for  the  iieriod  of  sixteen  years,  and 
also  held  the  office  of  assessor  and  commissioner  of  highways. 
He  held  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel  of  militia  of  the  State  in 
1838,  and  he  was  captain  of  a  company  under  Grovernor  Marcy. 
For  twenty  years  he  has  been  director  of  the  Farmers'  and 
Drovers'  Bank  of  Somers,  Westchester  county.  He  is  a  con- 
tributing member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Red  Mills. 

The  old  house  in  which  Richard  Dean  lived  at  Red  Mills  has 
been  torn  down,  within  the  last  few  months.  It  stood  on  the 
north  side  of  the  road  at  the  point  where  it  turns  south,  and 
immediately  north  of  the  store  now  occupied  by  M.  F.  Agor. 
This  old  house,  with  its  stone  chimney,  was  the  last  relic  of  the 


^O-er^l^'-l-e'^^C^       ^'fj&.'t^ 


~>.n ■■>:,■•  I    RH.Hnllr   ^-.rnr   //-,/       ■  .' 


TOWN    OF   CAEMEL.  377 

past  in  the  neighborhood.  The  executors  of  W.  H.  Johnston 
sold  to  Eichard  Dean,  in  1829,  a  tract  of  90  acres,  beginning  on 
the  west  side  of  the  road  from  Red  Mills  to  John  Beyea's,  thence 
running  westerly  to  Orin  Agor's  line  (now  W.  B.  Hazleton's), 
then  northerly  to  school  house  lot,  and  along  the  highway  to 
the  corner  of  the  Mill  farm  opposite  the  house  of  W.  H.  Sloat 
(near  Baptist  Parsonage),  thence  easterly  across  the  meadow  to 
first  named  road. 

Alotson  Dean. — Jotham  Dean  came  from  Westchester 
county  about  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  He  died  about  1836 
at  the  age  of  85.  His  children  were:  William,  Amos,  Jonathan, 
Nancy,  wife  of  James  Welch;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Alexander 
Ganong;  Zippa,  wife  of  Robert  Powers;  and  Jemima,  wife  of 
Stephen  Craft. 

Amos  Dean  died  November  15th,  1862,  aged  92.  He  married 
Rhoda  Mead.  Their  children  were:  Julia,  wife  of  Henry  Knapp; 
Ada,  wife  of  John  Beam;  Mary,  wife  of  William  Pinckney; 
Eliza  and  Sylvester. 

Mr.  Alotson  Dean  was  born  August  11th,  1805,  on  the  old 
homestead  on  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Gilead,  and  from  this 
family  the  lake  gained  the  name  of  "Dean's  Pond"  in  olden 
time.  His  early  life  was  passed  on  the  small  farm  which  his 
father  owned.  This  farm  his  father  exchanged  for  a  farm 
owned  by  Reuben  Ganong;  but  after  a  few  years  the  old  home- 
stead came  back  into  his  hands,  and  on  this  place  Mr.  Dean 
has  lived  all  his  life.  To  the  original  farm  of  thirty  acres  he 
added  forty  more,  and  afterward  sold  the  north  portion  to  Ben- 
jamin Bailey  for  as  much  as  the  whole  originally  cost.  The 
summer  boarding  house  of  James  Wixsom  stands  upon  it. 

By  strict  economy  and  superior  management,  Mr.  Dean  has 
accumulated  a  comfortable  fortune,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  successful  business  men  of  the  town.  Among  other 
property  he  owns  the  "Masonic  Hall"  in  Croton  Falls,  and 
stores  in  the  village  of  Brewster. 

Mr.  Dean  married  Marinda,  daughter  of  Nathan  Field,  Octo- 
ber 21st,  1834.  Their  children  are:  Sarah  F.  H.,  wife  of  Ira  T. 
Fowler;  Anna  M.,  wife  of  Howard  D.  Ganong;  and  Georgianna, 
wife  of  Winfield  S.  Harris  of  Croton  Falls. 

The  home  of  Mr.  Dean  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  west 
shore  of  Lake  Gilead,  which  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sheets 


378  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  water  in  the  county.  For  forty  years  both  he  and  his  wife 
have  been  active  and  zealous  members  of  the  Carmel  Baptist 
Church  and  supporters  of  the  society.  His  success  in  life  has 
not  depended  upon  wealth  inherited  from  his  ancestors,  but  has 
been  gained  by  care,  economy  and  skill,  with  the  assistance  of 
a  wife  who  had  been  his  able  and  efficient  helpmeet.  His  father 
began  life  with  the  small  capital  of  sixty  dollars,  and  left  a 
large  fortune,  accumulated  by  care  and  economy. 

Lewis  Ludington.  the  sixth  son  and  the  youngest  of  the 
twelve  children  of  Col.  Henry  Ludington,  of  Revolutionary 
memory,  was  born  June  25th,  1786,  in  Fredericksburg,  Dutch- 
ess (now  Putnam)  county,  N.  Y.  The  name  of  the  township 
was  subsequently  changed  to  Kent.  The  education  which  he 
received  was  obtained  at  the  district  schools,  no  other  having 
been  in  existence  in  that  section  of  the  country  until  the  erec- 
tion of  the  academy  in  the  village  of  Patterson  at  a  later 
period,  for  which  his  father,  Col.  Ludington,  contributed  the 
timber. 

On  the  6th  of  May,  1806,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Fred- 
erick, w^ho  was  four  years  his  senior,  he  opened  a  store  near 
their -father's  house,  upon  the  homestead  property,  and  began 
a  partnership  which  continued  uninterruptedly  for  over  thirty 
years. 

Lewis  was  married  to  Polly,  the  daughter  and  oldest  child  of 
Samuel  Townsend,  and  for  several  years  lived  in  a  small  cottage 
adjacent  to  the  homestead  of  his  father  in  Kent,  from  whence 
he  removed  to  the  village  of  Carmel,  in  the  spring  of  1816, 
where  he  soon  afterward  bought  the  property  still  owned  and 
occupied  by  some  members  of  the  family.  In  the  fall  of  1855, 
he  completed  and  removed  to  the  commodious  house  which  is 
yet  the  family  home.  The  timber  for  this  house — selected  Nor- 
way pine — also  the  pine  lumber  of  which  it  was  constructed 
were  cut  on  the  lands  of  Mr.  Ludington,  in  Wisconsin,  sawed 
in  his  mill  in  Oconto,  and  by  a  singular  coincidence  were  shipped 
to  Buffalo  on  the  schooner  "  Lewis  Ludington,"  and  thence  on 
a  boat  of  the  same  name  by  the  Erie  Canal  and  Hudson  River, 
to  Mott  Haven,  from  whence  they  were  brought  by  the  Harlem 
Railroad  to  Croton  Ealls,  in  the  autumn  of  1854. 

Owing  to  the  limited  opportunity  for  business  enterprise  in 
Putnam  county,  Mr.  Ludington,  in  company  with  his  nephew, 


*■  c^^^^^o^   f^^ao^^-y 


TOWN  OP   OARMEL.  379 

Harrison  Ludington,  late  governor  of  Wisconsin,  and  Harvey 
Burchard,  a  resident  of  Carmel,  started,  October  19th,  1838,  for 
Milwaukee,  to  examine  into  the  resources  and  opportunities  for 
business  in  the  young  and  growing  territory.  Milwaukee,  then 
but  a  mere  village,  was  showing  signs  of  future  prominence. 
During  the  succeeding  winter  the  above-mentioned  persons 
made  one  or  more  trips  on  horseback  through  the  interior  for 
the  purpose  of  selecting  government  lands,  of  which  they  lo- 
cated and  purchased  a  considerable  quantity. 

In  1839  was  started  at  Milwaukee  the  firm  of  Ludington, 
Burchard  &  Co.,  of  which  Lewis  Ludington  was  the  senior 
partner  and  Harrison  Ludington,  the  junior.  This  firm  was 
changed  a  year  or  so  later  by  the  retirement  of  Harvey  Bur- 
chard, and  continued  under  the  name  of  Ludington  &  Co., 
composed  of  Lewis  and  his  two  nephews,  Harrison  and  his 
younger  brother,  Nelson,  who  at  a  later  date  became  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Fifth  National  Bank,  of  Chicago.  With  little 
change  the  firm  remained  upon  the  same  spot,  one  of  the 
most  prominent  locations  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  for  upwards 
of  twenty  years,  conducting  for  those  early  days,  a  business  of 
great  magnitude,  showing  enterprise  and  sagacity,  which  re- 
sulted in  wealth  to  all  the  participants.  Connected  with  their 
mercantile  business  was  a  large  lumbering  establishment,  con- 
sisting of  mills  at  Oconto,  Wis.,  and  yards  in  Milwaukee.  Dur- 
ing all  these  years  the  firm  saw  the  growing  importance  of  the 
city  in  which  it  had  cast  its  fortunes,  and  of  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin, which  has  since  become  in  population  and  influence  one 
of  the  great  commonwealths  of  the  Republic. 

About  the  year  1843,  Lewis  Ludington  bought  from  Colonel 
Drake,  an  extensive  tract  of  land  in  Columbia  county.  Wis., 
and  in  July,  1844,  laid  out,  and  in  August  of  that  year  recorded, 
the  plat  of  the  city  of  Columbus.  For  many  years  he  super- 
intended and  encouraged  the  settlement  of  the  young  town, 
assisted  by  his  son  James,  who  at  the  early  age  of  nineteen  be- 
came for  some  time  his  father's  resident  agent  there,  until  the 
promotion  of  Mr.  E,.  W.  Chadbourn  to  that- position.  The  city 
finally  grew  to  be  a  place  of  considerable  importance  and  wealth. 

Thus  for  more  than  half  a  century  Mr.  Ludington  continued 
to  conduct  these  and  his  various  other  enterprises  with  untiring 
energy  and  zeal.  He  was  influential  both  at  home  in  Putnam 
county,  and  in  Wisconsin,  the  chosen   State  of  his  principal 


380  HISTOET   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

activities,  always   enjoying  the  respect   and  confidence  of  all 
who  knew  him. 

An  incident  occurred  in  the  early  business  life  of  Lewis  Lud- 
ington,  which  showed  the  energy  for  which  he  was  always  dis- 
tinguished. Together  with  a  niimber  of  other  Putnam  county 
people,  farmers  and  merchants,  he  went  to  'New  York  by  boat, 
by  the  way  of  Peekskill,  with  produce  to  sell  and  purchases  to 
make,  all  expecting  to  return  home  by  the  river.  A  very  sud- 
den cold  snap  occurred  which  completely  closed  navigation,  and 
as  there  now  remained  no  way  of  reaching  home  but  on  foot,  a 
company  of  half  a  dozen  decided  to  adopt  that  method  without 
delay.  They,  therefore,  late  that  afternoon,  walked  t(i  Kings 
Bridge  at  the  north  end  of  the  island,  from  whence  early  the 
next  morning  they  started  for  home  in  companJ^  A  snow  storm 
set  in  during  the  day  and  one  after  another  of  the  mem  became 
exhausted  and  gave  out,  the  last  one  excepting  Mr.  Ludington, 
at  the  village  of  Somers,  six  miles  below  Carmel.  Nothing 
daunted  he  kept  on  his  journey  and  went  five  miles  above  Car- 
mel near  "  Dingees,"  and  onlj^  one  mile  from  his  home  in  Kent, 
overcome  with  fatigue,  he  fell  asleep  in  a  snow  drift.  When 
the  cold  awoke  him,  which  it  soon  after  did,  he  trudged  on 
home,  reaching  there  near  midnight.  Though  impeded  by  the 
snow  storm  he  had  walked  forty-tive  miles  since  he  started  in 
the  morning. 

Mr.  Ludington  was  a  member  of  the  Whig  party  during  its 
existence  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  and  was  strongly  opposed 
to  slavery  and  to  its  extension  He  would  not  accept  ofiice 
though  frequently  urged  to  do  so. 

His  death  occurred  September  3d,  1857,  at  Kenosha,  Wis.,  in 
the  72d  year  of  his  age.  He  was  buried  in  the  family  plat,  in 
Raymond  Hill  Cemetery,  at  Carmel.  His  family  consisted  of 
his  wife,  Polly,  who  survived. him  over  twenty- two  years,  and 
his  children:  Laura  Ann,  Delia,  William  Edgar,  Robert, 
Charles  Henry,  James,  Lavinia  Elizabeth,  Emily,  and  Amelia. 

Charles  Henry  Ludington,  son  of  Lewis  Ludington,  was 
born  at  Carmel,  February  1st,  1835.  His  education  was  partly  ob- 
tained at  the  Polytechnic  School  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  Hunter, 
atOwenville  (nowCroton  Falls),  also  at  the  Grammar  School  of 
Hugh  Stocker  Banks,  a  faithful  and  able  instructor,  held  in  the 
house  previously  owned  and  occupied  by  the  celebrated  "Peter 


i:^(U^/...<..^y^^----^'^h    ^/^-— 7    x^ 


^^C-t^t^ 


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TOWN    OF    CAEMEL.  381 

Parley"    at    Ridgefield,  Conn.,   and  the  academy  at  Carmel, 
under  Valentine  Vermilyea. 

September  18th,  1842,  in  his  eighteenth  year,  Mr.  Ludington 
went  to  New  York  with  his  father,  and  entered  as  clerk  the 
wholesale  dry  goods  store  of  Woodward,  Otis  &  Terbell,  53 
Cedar  street,  near  the  old  "Middle  Dutch  Church,"  now  the 
site  of  the  magnificent  building  of  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance 
Company.  He  remained  in  their  employment  until  1846,  when 
Harrison  Gray  Otis  of  that  house  separated  from  his  partners 
and  formed,  in  company  with  Edward  Johnes  and  his  nephew, 
AVilliam  Johnes,  the  firm  of  Johnes,  Otis  &  Co.,  with  whom  he 
continued  as  salesman  until  January  1st,  1849.  He  then  be- 
came a  member  of  the  importing  and  wholesale  dry  goods  house 
of  Lathrop  &  Ludington,  which  started  business  February  1st, 
at  18  Cortlandt  street,  N.  Y.,  which  firm  was  composed  and  or- 
ganized by  Richard  D.  Lathrop  and  himself  as  general,  and 
James  W.  Johnson  and  Charles  T.  Pierson  as  special  partners. 
Undeterred  by  the  gloomy  predictions  of  many  of  the  older 
merchants,  this  young  house,  in  company  with  two  other  firms, 
crossed  Broadway,  leaving  the  time  honored  localities  of  Han- 
over Square,  Pearl,  William  and  Cedar  streets  behind  them, 
and  became  the  pioneers  in  a  movement  which  soon  completely 
changed  the  location  and  even  the  character  of  this  important 
branch  of  business.  In  consequence  of  their  energy  and  enter- 
prise they  met  with  success  from  the  very  start.  After  con- 
tinuing in  this  store  for  eight  years  they  removed  to  a  much 
larger  one  in  Park  Place,  running  through  to  Murray  street, 
which  they  built  on  the  site  of  the  former  residence  of  Dr. 
Valentine  Mott,  the  name  of  the  firm  being  changed  to  Lathrop, 
Ludington  &  Co.,  on  the  retirement  of  the  special  partners. 
The  partners  afterward  included  John  H.  Morrison,  Robert  J. 
Hunter  and  William  Faxon.  Their  business  grew  during  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion  and  subsequently  to  great  magnitude  for 
that  time,  their  sales  ranging  annually  from  eight  to  eleven 
millions,  their  merchandise  being  distributed  over  every  part  of 
the  republic  north  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line,  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  the  firm  possessing  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  all  the  trade.  Previous  to  the  Rebellion  their  sales 
were  not  largely  made  to  the  South,  and  fortunately  were  much 
reduced  in  that  section  when  the  agitation  first  began.  When 
the  spirit  of  secession  became  rampant,  their  names  were  pub- 


382  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

lislied  in  the  celebrated  "  Blacklist,"  or  list  of  abolition  houses, 
in  the  "Southern  Confederacy,"  and  other  notorious  papers  of 
Georgia  and  other  Southern  States.  This  list,  which  was  origin- 
ally composed  of  Bowen,  Holmes  &  Co.,  Lathrop,  Ludington  & 
Co.,  and  a  few  others,  was  afterward  extended  by  many  addi- 
tions until  it  embraced  about  forty  of  the  leading  houses  in  the 
wholesale  line  in  JSTew  York,  Philadelphia,  Boston  and  Balti- 
more. The  publication  was  made  with  the  design  of  injuring 
or  raining  in  the  South  the  trade  of  the  several  firms  which  in 
the  words  of  Henry  C.  Bowen,  "  Sold  their  goods  but  not  their 
principles." 

Unable  to  go  to  the  war  himself,  Mr.  Ludington  sent  a  sub- 
stitute, and  he  personally,  and  the  firm  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  assisted  by  large  contributions  of  money,  the  raising 
of  regiments  and  recruits  in  New  York  and  in  Putnam  county. 
One  entire  regiment  was  principally  obtained  by  their  efforts 
and  means. 

The  firm  of  Lathrop,  Ludington  &  Co.  afterward  removed  to 
the  elegant  store  326,  328  and  330  Broadway,  built  on  the  site 
of  the  old  Broadway  Theatre,  retiring  from  business  in  1868. 
Mr.  Ludington  since  then  has  continued  to  attend  to  his  private 
affairs  and  enterprises  in  New  York  and  the  West.  He  is  a 
director  in  a  number  of  leading  institutions  in  the  city,  trust, 
insurance  and  other  companies,  and  resides  at  276  Madison 
Avenue,  New  York,  in  the  same  house  he  has  occupied  for  over 
a  quarter  of  a  century.  His  family  consists  of  a  wife  and  six 
children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

James  Ludington,  son  of  Lewis  Ludington,  was  born  atCar- 
mel,  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.,  April  18th,  1827.  The  first  sixteen 
years  of  his  life  were  passed  with  his  parents  at  home,  where 
every  one  recognized  in  him  a  lad  of  much  promise.  He  en- 
joyed an  academic  education  and  was  commended  by  his  teachers 
as  bright  and  attentive. 

In  1843,  he  left  his  books,  and  bidding  a  temporary  farewell 
to  the  old  homestead,  set  out  for  Milwaukee.  Here  he  first 
found  employment  for  a  time  in  the  store  of  Ludington  &  Co. 
Subsequently  he  accompanied  his  father  to  the  spot  where  stands 
to-day  the  city  of  Columbus,  Wis.,  and  it  was  their  united 
energy  and  wisdom  that  planned  and  laid  out  the  x>lat)  ^^^ 
stimulated  the  early  growth  of  the  town.     After  some  years  of 


TOWN   OF  OAEMEL.  383 

work  there  he  returned  to  Milwaukee  and  entered  upon  a  busi- 
ness career  of  marked  prosperity.  For  two  years  he  held  the 
position  of  treasurer  of  the  La  Crosse  Railroad  Company.  He 
was  also  president  of  the  "Bank  of  the  West"  at  Madison, 
and  vice-president  of  the  Juneau  Bank  at  Milwaukee.  His  sa- 
gacity in  "all  matters  of  a  business  nature  assured  success  to 
every  enterprise  in  which  he  was  engaged.  For  two  years  he 
rendered  efficient  service  as  alderman  in  Milwaukee. 

In  1859,  ,a  small  saw  mill  at  the  mouth  of  the  Pere  Marquette 
River,  Michigan,  together  with  a  large  amount  of  adjacent  pine 
land  came  into  Mr.  Ludington's  possession.  He  had  advanced 
money  upon  the  property  at  different  times,  and  when  finally  he 
purchased  it,  he  turned  with  enthusiasm  to  the  new  enterprise, 
and  in  a  year  or  two  decided  to  makes  it  the  location  of  a  town 
(the  plat  of  which  was  begun  in  1867),  the  chosen  name  for 
which  was  "Ludington." 

After  consultation  with  Elisha  Starr,  who  founded  the  "  Sen- 
tinel "  newspaper,  in  Milwaukee,  he  selected  George  W.  Clay- 
ton, a  man  in  his  employ,  to  start  a  local  paper  at  Ludington, 
which  afterward  became  prosperous  and  influential. 

It  was  in  1873  that  the  town  was  incorporated  as  a  city,  re- 
ceiving the  name  of  "Ludington"  in  honor  of  its  founder.  It 
has  grown  greatly  in  population  and  in  wealth  and  is  the  west- 
ern terminus  of  the  Flint  &  Pere  Marquette  Railway. 

Mr.  Ludington's  extreme  liberality  was  exhibited  whenever 
any  enterprise  was  on  foot  for  the  improvement  or  advantage  of 
the  place.  An  appeal  to  him  for  assistance  for  a  deserving  ob 
ject  always  elicited  a  generous  gift.  In  his  sales  of  village 
property  he  expressly  stipulated  that  no  spiritous  liquor  should 
ever  be  sold  on  the  lot  in  question,  and  he  insisted  vigorously 
on  compliance  with  this  condition. 

In  1869,  Mr. Ludington  sold  his  entire  property  interest  in  that 
region  for  half  a  million  dollars  and  practicallj'  retired  from 
business,  though  he  still  retained  an  interest  in  the  newly  formed 
organization  named  the  "Pere  Marquette  Lumber  Company." 

Mr.  Ludington  never  married.  For  some  years  he  lived  at  the 
Newhall  House,  up  to  the  time  when  the  building  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  and  after  that  he  removed  to  the  Plankinton  House  in 
Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where  he  now  resides.  It  is  always  with  a  lively 
interest  and  justifiable  pride  that  he  refers  to  the  prosperous 
city  which  owes  its  existence  to  him. 


384  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Zalmon  Ludington,  the  son  of  Zalmon  and  grandson  of 
Comfort  Lndington,  of  Eombout  Precinct,  Dutchess  county, 
who  was  a  brother  of  Abigal,  the  wife  of  Col.  Henry  Ludington, 
was  born  May  12th,  3797,  about  one  mile  from  the  residence  of 
the  latter.  His  father  lived  in  the  same  place  until  1810,  when 
he  removed  to  Western  New  York.  His  son,  Zalmon,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  remained  with  friends  until  ]813,  when  he 
went  to  Batavia,  N".  Y.,  to  visit  his  mother,  and  while  there  en- 
listed in  Col.  Churchill's  Regiment  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Black  Rock.  In  the  spring  of  1814  he  returned  to  Put- 
nam county  to  his  uncle  Yale's  and  to  Col.  Henry  Ludington' s, 
and  assisted  the  firm  of  F.  &  L.  Ludington,  in  their  store  in 
Kent. 

In  the  spring  of  1816  he  came  with  Lewis  Ludington  to  Car- 
mel  and  aided  him  in  opening  his  branch  store  there  and  re- 
mained in  his  employ  until  midsummer.  In  the  fall  of  1818  he 
went  to  Virginia,  returning  to  Carmel  in  1819,  and  again 
visited  there  in  1820,  remaining  with  Lewis  Ludington  two 
months. 

In  1822  he  married  Lovila  Hagan,  of  Preston  county,  Vir- 
ginia, who  bore  him  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters. Pour  children  are  now  living  :  Mrs.  M.  L.  Patrick,  of 
Louisville,  Ky.-,  Horace  Ludington,  M.  D.,  of  Omaha,  Neb.; 
Brevet  Col.  Elisha  H.  Ludington,  U.  S.  Army  (retired);  and 
Lieut.  Col.  Marshall  I.  Ludington,  Deputy  Quarter  Master 
General  U.  S.  Army,  now  stationed  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Four  of  Zalmon  Ludington' s  sons  served  as  officers  in  the 
Union  Army  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 

In  1823  he  settled  in  Somerset  county.  Pa.,  where  he  resided 
until  1842,  when  he  removed  to  Uniontown,  Fayette  county, 
same  State,  and  resided  tliere  until  about  five  years  ago.  Since 
then  he  has  lived  with  his  sons,  Horace  and  Marshall,  and  is  now 
with  the  latter  in  Philadelphia.  Although  in  his  89th  year  he 
is  still  hale  and  hearty,  remembers  all  about  his  boyhood  days 
in  Kent  and  Carmel,  and  only  a  year  ago  made  an  address  in 
Philadelphia  which  was  extensively  published. 

Deacon  Aakon  Gtanong  was  born  in  Carmel,  Putnam  county, 
January  3d,  1809,  on  the  farm  where  his  son,  Chaunoey  B.,  now 
resides,  and  which  has  been  the  homestead  proper  for  about 
eighty-five  years. 


^^       jy<^<y>t>Oy^ 


TOWN    OF   CAKMEL.  385 

His  father,  Alexander,  a  farmer,  was  a  resident  of  the 
county  as  were  also  his  parents.  He  died  August  4th,  1842, 
aged  62. 

Aaron  Ganong  was  educated  at  the  common  schools.  His 
early  years  were  spent  on  the  farm.  The  first  money  that  he 
earned  for  himself  was  five  hundred  dollars  that  he  made  as  a 
musician  in  the  employ  of  a  prominent  show  firm,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years.  He  pursued  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  until 
1861,  when  he  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York,  with  his  wife, 
and  engaged  in  ■  the  gale  of  milk  at  retail,  shipped  from  his 
farm  and  others  ifi  Putnam  county. 

In  1876  he  returned  to  Putnam  county  and  located  in  Carmel 
village,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred August  1st,  1883.  He  is  buried  in  the  Baptist  cemetery 
in  Carmel. 

At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Carmel,  which  he  attended  before  and  after  his  resi- 
dence in  New  York.  On  locating  in  New  York  he  and  his  wife 
became  constituent  members  of  the  Trinity  Baptist  Church, 
which  they  largely  assisted.  He  was  also  elected  deacon  by 
this  church,  and  acquired  the  title  by  which  he  was  familiarly 
distinguished  from  many  others  of  the  same  family  name.  By 
the  Trinity  Baptist  Church  of  New  York,  he  was  presented 
with  a  testimonial  of  their  esteem,  in  the  form  of  an  engrossed 
letter,  as  follows  : 

"  To  our  beloved  brother,  Deacon  A.  Ganong,  we  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Trinity  Baptist  Church  and  congregation,  of  the 
city  of  New  York  beg  to  express  to  you,  first  our  admiration 
for  the  character  God  has  given  you  ;  second,  our  high  appre- 
ciation of  your  wisdom  in  council,  your  liberality  in  giving,  and 
your  constancy  in  attending  the  meetings  of  the  church;  you 
have  not  only  contributed  habitually  and  generously  of  your 
money,  but  it  is  believed  that  you  have  attended  more  of  our 
meetings  than  any  other  member  living  or  dead;  third,  we  ex- 
press all  our  hearty.  Christian  love  for  your  amiable  wife,  with 
sympathy  quite  in  harmony  with  your  own;  she  seems  never 
to  have  discouraged  you  in  making  sacrifices  for  the  church  of 
Christ;  finally  we  express  to  you  both  our  sincere  regret  that 
you  are  about  to  remove  from  among  us  and  an  earnest  hope 
that  our  heavenly  Father  will  soon  turn  your  footsteps  hitlier- 

35 


386  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

ward  again,  and  cause  you  to  dwell  among  us  to  the  end  of  your 
days.     New  York  City,  January  6tli,  1878. 

"James  B.  Simmons,  Pastor." 

He  was  a  good  citizen  and  a  successful  business  man,  esteemed 
by  all  who  knew  him.  November  17th,  1831,  he  married 
Amanda  Ballard,  of  Carmel,  daughter  of  Selah  and  Melinda 
Ballard.  In  her  he  found  a  worthy  helpmeet,  who  assisted  him 
in  all  the  efforts  of  his  life.  Mrs.  Granong  became  a  member  of 
the  Mr.  Carmel  Baptist  Church,  at  about  twenty   years  of  age. 

Their  oldest  child  is  Chauncey  B.,  born  October  3d,  1832,  and 
who  now  resides  on  the  homestead  farm.  He  married,  January 
16th,  1856,  Jane  C.  Kelley  of  Carmel  village,  by  whom  he  has 
three  children:  Emma  K.,  married  to  Volentine  H.  Massey,  de- 
ceased; Annie  L.,  married  to  Henry  C.  Wilson;  and  Francis  J., 
at  home.  Chauncey  B.  Ganong  is  a  farmer  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Mt.  Carmel  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  is  clerk  and  for 
many  years  has  been  a  deacon. 

Christopher  C,  the  second  son,  was  born  August  21st,  1839, 
and  died  in  his  fourteenth  year,  February  2d,  1853,  esteemed 
by  all  that  knew  him. 

The  grandfather  of  Deacon  Aaron  Ganong  was  Jesse  Ganong. 
He  had  four  sons:  Alexander,  Isaac,  Daniel  and  Gilbert.  Jesse 
Ganong,  with  two  of  his  sons,  Isaac  and  Gilbert,  went  to  the 
western  part  of  the  State.  Alexander  Ganong  married  Eliza- 
beth Dean.  Their  children  were;  Joseph,  Deacon  Aaron,  and 
Mary,  wife  of  0.  H.  Cole. 

Leonard  Yeamans. — Johnston  Yeamans,  with  his  brothers, 
John  and  Abraham,  are  said  to  have  been  among  the  settlers 
who  came  from  Cape  Cod.  John  went  to  Canada  after  the  Revo- 
lution and  Abraham  settled  in  Westchester  county. 

Johnston  Yeamans  married  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Wilson. 
Their  children  were:  John,  Johnston,  Ampelias,  Epenetus,  Hes- 
ter, wife  of  Elihu  Haines,  and  Martha,  wife  of  Stephen  Haines. 

Of  this  family  Johnston  Yeamans,  the  second  son,  was  born 
August  9th,  1785.  He  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Isaac  Pierce. 
They  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Leonard,  Jarvis,  Eme- 
line  and  Eveline. 

Leonard  Yeamans  was  born  June  16th,  1811,  at  the  old  home- 
stead of  his  grandfather  which  was  at  Drewville,  and  situated 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  William  H.  Drew.     About  1815  his 


^£^-'^:4-:2<^-z:_^->'z^ 


TOWN   OF  CAKMEL.  387 

father  buiJt  the  house  in  which  Mr.  Yeamans  now  resides,  and 
with  his  family  removed  to  it  and  made  it  his  home  till  the  time 
of  his  death.  The  farm  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Johnston  Yea- 
mans  from  Frederick  Philipse  in  1815.  That  tract  was  65  acres 
and  was  part  of  a  farm  which  his  father  held  as  a  tenant  of 
Frederick  I'hilipse,  and  is  situated  on  the  road  from  Carmel  to 
Croton  Falls  about  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  county  line. 
Mr.  Johnston  Yeamans  died  June  4th,  1848,  and  rests  in  the 
Baptist  cemetery  at  Carmel. 

Mr.  Leonard  Yeamans  passed  his  early  days  on  the  paternal 
homestead  till  the  time  of  his  marriage  to  Miss  Almira  Hopkins, 
daughter  of  Enos  Hopkins,  a  representative  of  an  old  family 
in  Carmel.  They  were  married  December  15th,  1847,  and  Mr. 
Yeamans  then  settled  on  a  farm  formerly  owned  by  his  mater- 
nal grandfather,  Isaac  Pierce,  now  in  possession  of  .  Frank 
Smalley. 

On  this  place  he  remained  four  years,  then  removed  to  a  farm 
in  Westchester  county,  where  he  lived  several  years,  and  re- 
turning to  this  county,  lived  on  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law, 
near  Cole's  Mills,  for  six  years. 

By  a  strange  coincidence  his  brother  and  sisters,  who  were 
living  on  the  homestead  of  his  father,  and  both  of  his  own  chil- 
dren died  within  a  space  of  three  weeks  in  the  year  1865.  He 
then  removed  to  the  home  of  his  childhood  and  has  continued 
there  till  the  present  time. 

He  has  made  agriculture  the  business  of  his  life,  having  no 
connections  with  public  or  political  affairs.  For  nearly  fifty 
years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  Baptist  church  at  Carmel, 
of  which  he  is  an  active  and  zealous  member,  and  he  is  one  of 
the  deacons  of  the  society. 

A  few  words  may  be  added  concerning  the  other  branches  of 
the  family.  Ampelias  Yeamans  married  Abigal,  daughter  of 
Isaac  Pierce,  and  had  three  daughters:  Jane,  wife  of  Joel  Frost 
(son  of  Hon.  Joel  Frost,  the  first  surrogate  of  the  county,  and 
now  living  in  Illinois);  Phebe,  wife  of  Husted  Halstead  of 
Salem;  and  Clarissa.  Ampelias  Yeamans  died  February  22d, 
1858,  aged  74. 

Epenetus  Yeamans  left  three  children:  Jane,  wife  of  Horace 
Haines;  Betsy,  wife  of  Worden  Kelly;  and  Delana,  wife  of 
James  Lawrence,  of  Katonah,  Westchester  county.  Epenetus 
Yeamans  died  August  19th,  1850,  aged  75. 


388  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Enos  Hopkins  was  a  son  of  Jeremiah  Hopkins,  whose  home- 
stead was  at  Cole's  Mills  in  Kent.  He  married  Cynthia,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Cole,  and  their  children  were:  Eliza,  wife  of  Ansel 
Hazen;  Ruth,  wife  of  Horace  Cole;  Antha,  wife  of  Owen  Cole; 
Rebecca,  William  H.,  Erastus,  and  Almira,  wife  of  Leonard 
Yeamans,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  except  Mrs.  Owen  Cole. 

Mr.  Yeamans  died  April  6th,  1886. 

The  Badeau  Family. — John  Badeau,  who  was  born  in  New 
Rochelle,  in  1699,  was  probably  the  son  of  Elias  Badeau,  who 
was  a  French  Huguenot,  and  one  of  the  original  settlers  in  New 
Rochelle,  their  place  of  refuge. 

John  Badeau,  who  died  in  1787,  at  the  age  of  88,  was  the 
father  of  four  children:  Peter,  who  died  August  9th,  1816,  aged 
88,  came  to  Red  Mills,  Putnam  county,  in  1775;  Elias;  John;  and 
Fanny,  wife  of  Isaac  Contant. 

Peter  Badeau  married  Catharine  Contant.  She  died  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1790,  aged  64.  Their  children  were:  Peter,  born  1749» 
removed  to  Albany,  N.  Y.;  Isaac,  born  May  13th,  1750,  died 
September  7th,  1842;  John,  born  February  8th,  1752,  lived  near 
Peekskill;  Elias,  born  July  13th,  1755,  lived  at  Troy,  N.Y.;  Ja- 
cob, born  April  12th,  1757,  lived  in  Westchester  county ;  Cathar- 
ine, born  August  12th,  1759,  married  Isaac  Heroy;  James,  born 
May  13th,  1761,  died  young;  Magdalen,  born  November  4th, 
1763,  married  James  Heroy;  David,  born  April  14th,  1765,  died 
young;  William,  born  September  15th,  1767,  died  in  1860  in 
Port  Byron,  N.  Y. ;  Isaiah,  born  April  2d,  1770,  lived  in  New 
York  city. 

Isaac  Badeau,  the  second  son  of  this  family,  marded  Susannah, 
daughter  of  Henry  Contant,  of  New  Rochelle.  She  was  born 
December  14th,  1753.  Their  children  were:  Peter,  born  May  29th, 
1776;  Henry,  born  January  17th,  1778,  died  1868;  William,  born 
June  24th,  1780;  Isaac,  born  September  2d,  1782,  died  young; 
Gilbert,  born  March  23d,  1785;  Elizabeth,  born  October  10th, 
1787,  married  William  Pierce;  Elias,  born  1789,  died  young; 
Fanny,  born  August  18th,  1791,  died  unmarried;  Isaac,  born 
March  17th,  1794;  John,  born  December  16th,  1797. 

Henry  Badeau,  the  second  son  of  the  above  family,  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Contant.  Their  children  werer 
John  Henry,  born  February  29th,  1808,  now  living  at  Red  Mills, 
Putnam  county,  N.  Y. ;  Peter  C,  born  1819,  now  living  in  Brook- 


^ZJ^^C£^-£^^la_ 


^Englbij  SS BoLU  5oiu!,»«/:5SrJc 


TOWN    OF   CAEMEL.  389 

lyn,  N.  Y. ;  William  Smith,  born  in  1819,  also  living  in  Brooklyn. 

Gilbert  Badeau,  the  fifth  son  of  Isaac,  married  Mary  Price, 
and  had  children:  Isaac,  now  living  at  Lake  Mahopac;  Seles, 
Jonathan,  Harrison,  Susannah,  and  sideline,  wife  of  Edgar 
Rogers. 

William  Badeau,  the  third  son  of  Isaac,  had  a  son,  Nicholas, 
who  is  the  father  of  Gen.  Adam  Badeau,  a  distinguished  officer 
of  the  late  war,  and  author  of  the  "Military  History  of  Gen- 
eral U.  S.  Grant." 

John  Badeau,  the  ancestor  of  this  family,  came  from  New 
Rochelle  with  his  son  Peter,  and  settled  at  Red  Mills  in  1775. 
Here  they  held  a  farm  on  the  Roger  Morris  Lot  as  tenants  until 
after  the  Revolution. 

Peter  Badeau  built  a  house  where  the  residence  of  Isaac  Pierce 
now  stands.  His  son,  Isaac,  built  his  house  on  the  present  site 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  April,  1782,  John  Hathorn  and 
Samuel  Dodge,  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture,  sold  to  Peter 
Badeau  the  farm  which  he  then  held. 

It  was  described  as  "  beginning  at  a  butternut  sappling,  on 
the  northeast  side  of  a  brook  coming  out  of  Healey's  pond,  at 
the  mouth  of  a  small  run  of  water,  where  it  emptied  into  the 
same,  and  is  corner  to  farm  13,  thence  N.  78  degrees,  E.  16 
chains,  40  links  to  a  hickory  tree,  thence  S.  89,  30  E.,  39  chains, 
75  linky,  to  line  of  farm  15,  then  south  by  the  same,  18  chains, 
69  links,  to  an  elm  tree  on  west  side  of  a  small  brook,  and  down 
the  same  to  Stillwater  river,  down  the  Stillwater  river  to  the 
mouth  of  Healey  pond  brook;  then  up  the  same  to  the  corner 
of  farm  6;  then  North  10,  15  East,  10  chains,  33  links  to  a  chest- 
nut tree  by  the  side  of  brook,  then  up  the  same  to  place  of  be- 
ginning containing  217  acres." 

This  farm  included  all  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  Peter  Badeau  gave  the  land  for  the  church,  and 
his  son  Isaac,  the  land  for  the  parsonage. 

Isaac  Badeau  purchased  and  resided  on  a  farm  adjoining  his 
father,  and  with  him  he  subsequently  lived.  After  a  residence 
here  for  50  years,  he  died  on  this  homestead,  which  was  later 
purchased  by  William  Pierce,  who  married  his  daughter  Eliza- 
beth. 

After  the  decease  of  Mr.  Pierce  it  went  to  his  children  Wil- 
liam, Isaac,  Cordelia,  and  Hannah.  Cordelia  married  John  H. 
Baldwin,  and  the  place  now  belongs  to  her. 


390  HISTORY    OF    PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

John  Henry  Badeau,  the  present  representative  of  the  family, 
the  son  of  Henry,  and  grandson  of  Isaac  Badeau,  was  born  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  February  29th,  1808.  His  parents  then 
resided  at  what  is  now  the  corner  of  9th  street  and  4th  avenue. 
He  and  his  brothers  engaged  in  business  as  grocers;  their  place  of 
business  being  on  the  site  of  the  present  well  known  dry  goods 
store  of  Lord  Taylor.  After  many  years  of  very  successful 
business,  they  retired  with  a  competency,  leasing  the  premises 
to  Lord  &  Taylor  in  1869. 

Mr.  Badeau  then  came  to  Red  Mills  where  he  has  since  made 
his  home.  His  residence  is  on  a  portion  of  the  original  Badeau 
farm,  and  was  greatly  enlarged  by  him  in  "1869.  Upon  this 
place  the  family  now  live,  good  and  worthy  representatives  of 
the  Huguenot  ancestors  who  came  here  long  years  ago.  Mr. 
Badeau  married  Cordelia,  daughter  of  William  Pierce,  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  much  valuable  information  in  rela- 
tion to  the  family. 

The  Hazen  Family.— This  family  is  descended  from  John 
Hazen,  who  lived  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  was  born  March 
23d,  1688.  His  son,  Caleb,  was  born  April  4th.  1720,  and  mar- 
ried Sarah,  daughter  of  Deacon  Eleazar  Hamblin.  She  was 
born  in  1721,  and  died  in  1814.  Caleb  Hazen,  with  his  wife  and 
father- in  law,  came  to  what  is  now  the  town  of  Carmel  in  1740, 
and  settled  on  what  has  ever  since  been  called  "  Hazen  Hill," 
on  the  south  side  of  Croton  River,  about  a  mile  and  a  half 
southwest  of  the  village  of  Carmel.  Caleb  died  March  5th, 
1777,  leaving  seven  children:  Sarah,  wife  of  Isaac  Merritt; 
Charity,    wife  of    Elisha  Cole;    Abigail,   wife  of  Abel  Smith; 

Mercy,  wife  of Mead;  Caleb,  born  November  7th,  1749, 

died  March  31st,  1806;  Eleazar,  born  1755,  died  September  20th, 
1793;  Moses,  born  February,  1758,  died  January  20th,  1834. 

Caleb  Hazen,  2d,  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  William  Wright. 
She  was  born  in  1751  and  died  in  1828.  Their  children  were : 
Joshua,  born  December  12th,  1771,  died  April  17th,  1840  ;  John, 
born  July  17th,  1773,  died  February  11th,  1813;  Thomas,  born 
April  6th,  1775,  died  April  15th,  1853  ;  Aaron,  born  June  26th, 
1777,  died  July  9th,  1837;  Caleb,  born  November  7th,  1779.  died 
March  3d,  1858;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  James  Knififen,  born  1781, 
died  1840;  Hosea,  born  October  8th,  1784,  died  May  22d,  1842; 
Sabina,    born   1788,  died   unmarried  1826;   Zillah,   wife  of  Ira 


C^>-^<1-^^^^ 


TOWN   OF   CABMEL.  391 

Crane,  born  August  2d,  1791,  died  November  27th,  1851;  Mentor 
W.,  born  July  27th,  1795,  died  February  16th,  1881. 

Thomas  Hazen,  the  third  child  of  the  above  family,  lived  on 
the  old  homestead  at  Hazen  Hill,  and  married  Anna,  daughter 
of  Jesse  Smith,  November  lOth,  1801.  She  was  born  in  1785, 
and  died  in  1868.  Their  children  were  :  Enos,  born  November 
5th,  1802,  died  June  11th,  1875;  Anson  and  Ansel  (twins),  born 
August  13th,  1807;  Emily,  wife  of  James  Harvey  Reed,  born 
March  28th,  1811;  Augustus,  born  February  lOth,  1815,  died 
March  1st,  1886;  Adeline,  wife  of  Benjamin  Wright,  born  1819, 
died  1861. 

Enos  Hazen,  son  of  Thomas  Hazen,  married  Nancy,  daughter 
of  Jeremiah  Wilson,  November  23d,  1825.  Their  children  were  : 
Thomas  W.,  born  1827;  Mary  A.,  wife  of  Peter  B.  Barrett; 
Leonard,  who  died  unmarried;  George  E. ;  Truman  S. ;  Emily  J. ; 
Sarah  E.,  wife  of  Howard  E.  Barrett;  Fanny;  Adeline,  wife  of 
Alonzo  W.  Hadden;  and  Jeremiah  W.,  born  September  27th, 
1845,  the  present  sheriff  of  Putnam  county. 

Anson  Hazen,  son  of  Thomas,  married  Hannah  Townsend. 
He  died  December  21st,  1877.  The  only  children  who  left  issue 
were  Jerome,  whose  son  Calvert  now  lives  in  Carniel,  and  Carrie, 
wife  of  William  H.  Baxter,  who,  with  her  mother,  inherited 
and  lives  on  the  old  homestead  at  Hazen  Hill. 

Ansel  Hazen  died  in  1844.  He  left  children  :  Lieutenant 
Charles  F.,  who  died  at  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  in  1868;  Byron, 
and  Zillah,  first  wife  of  Joseph  G.  Cole. 

Augustus,  son  of  Thomas,  has  been  for  many  years  super- 
visor of  Carmel,  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  county  clerk 
one  term  and  deputy  for  many  years. 

Mentor  W.  Hazen  was  born  and  brought  up  on  the  old  home- 
stead at  Hazen  Hill,  and  remained  there  till  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Rachel,  daughter  of  Obed  Cole,  October  1st,  1817.  He 
then  removed  to  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Kent,  which  is  now  a 
portion  of  the  "County  House  farm."  He  lived  there  a  few 
years,  and  then  returned  to  the  old  homestead.  After  staying 
there  one  year  he  bought  a  farm  which  now  belongs  to  James 
Wright.  He  lived  on  this  place  about  six  years  and  then  ex- 
changed it  fo'r  a  farm  farther  south.  In  1840,  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  60  acres  of  Charles  Agor.  This  farm  lies  east  from 
Lake  Mahopac,  the  line  between  the  Philipse  and  Morris  Lots 
being  the  western  boundary,  and  on  this  he  continued  to  live 


392  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

till  the  time  of  liis  death  which  occurred  February  16th,  1881. 
Mr.  Hazen  left  two  sons:  Henry  C,  who  is  now  living  in  Chi- 
cago, and  Orson,  whose  portrait  is  appended. 

Orson  Hazen  was  born  November  18th,  1820,  and  lived  with 
his  lather  till  he  died,  when  he  inherited  the  homestead  where 
he  now  lives.  To  this  farm  he  has  added  by  purchasing  a  farm 
of  seventy  acres,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Arvah  Pierce. 
Mr.  Hazen  has  made  agriculture  the  business  of  his  life,  and 
his  care  and  skill  have  made  his  farm  one  of  the  finest  and  best 
cultivated  in  the  town.  Without  taking  any  active  pai't  in 
politics  he  has  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways. 
He  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  James  Carver,  February  11th, 
1852. 

Their  children  are  Francis  A.,  and  Arthur  C,  born  January 
30th,  1861.  Mrri.  Hazen  died  January  29th,  1870,  at  the  age 
of  49. 

Arthur  C.  Hazen  married  Carrie  D.,  daughter  of  Ira  T. 
Fowler,  March  4th,  18S5. 

Mr.  Mentor  W.  Hazen  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
was  stationed  with  the  troops  at  Harlem  Heights. 

The  homestead  on  "Hazen  Hill"  (105  acres)  was  leased  to 
Caleb  Hazen  by  Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie  (widow  of  Philip 
Philipse),  May  27th,  1798,  for  a  rent  of  20  Spanish  milled  dol- 
lars. Frederick  Philipse  afterward  leased  to  Caleb  Hazen  98 
acres,  including  his  homestead,  for  |30  yearly.  The  premises 
were  sold  to  Thomas  Hazen  by  Samuel  Grouverneur  and  wife, 
daughter  of  Frederick  Philipse,  February  1st,  1834. 

Jeremiah  W.  Hazen,  son  of  Enos  and  Nancy  (Wilson) 
Hazen,  was  born  on  his  father's  homestead  (now  the  farm  of 
Robert  Kelly,  near  Gahn's  school  house  in  the  western  part  of 
Carmel),  September  10th,  1845.  When  a  child  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  a  farm  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  town 
of  Kent.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion, 
Mr.  Hazen,  though  still  a  boy,  was  seized  with  military 
enthusiasm,  and  ran  away  from  home  to  enlist  in  Company  E, 
38th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  S.  V.,  May  15th,  1861.  He  was  honor- 
ably discharged  October  10th  of  the  same  year  on  account  of 
sickness  contracted  in  the  service.  After  returning  from  the 
army  he  was  employed  with  Van  Amburg  &  Co.'s  menagerie 
fur  three  years  from  1863  to  1866.     While  thus  employed  he 


TOWiSr    OF    CARMEL.  393 

travelled  tliroagh  the  New  England  and  the  Western  States. 
At  the  close  of  this  engagement  Mr.  Hazen  returned  to  his  farm 
and  has  ever  since,  except  when  engaged  in  official  duties,  been 
a  resident  of  the  town  of  Kent.  After  holding  various  town 
offices  such  as  collector  and  assessor,  he  received  the  republican 
nominatipn  for  the  office  of  sheriff  of  the  county  and  was  duly 
elected  in  the  fall  of  1883.  He  then  removed  to  Carmel,  where 
he  now  resides 

Mr.  Hazen  married  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Doughty, 
January  10th,  1866.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  children: 
Hobart  Ward,  Enos  Elwood,  and  Nellie  Gr. 

Sheriff  Hazen  is  justly  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  popular 
citizens  of  the  county,  and  has  never  failed  to  prove  faithful  to 
his  official  duties. 

The  Gregory  Family. — Tn  1762  Russell  Gregory,  Timothy 
Gregory  and  Rev.  Elnathan  Gregory  were  living  on  farms  on 
Lot  No.  6.     They  are  supposed  to  have  been  brothers. 

Rev.  Elnathan  Gregory  came  from  Norwalk,  Conn.  He  was 
a  student  of  Princeton  College,  and  afterward  entered  the  min- 
istry, and  was  settled  pastor  over  Gilead  Church  in  Carmel  for 
many  years.  He  lived  on  a  large  farm  opposite  the  old  church 
and  burying  ground  at  Gilead.  He  died  in  1816  at  the  age  of 
90,  and  is  buried  by  the  church  where  he  preached  so  long,  but 
no  tombstone  marks  his  resting  place. 

He  left  a  son,  Daniel,  born  in  1752,  and  died  November  13th, 
1817,  aged  65.  Daniel  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William 
H.  Seeley.  She  died  October  12th,  1841,  aged  82.  They  had 
children:  Ezra,  Samuel,  Horace,  Lewis,  James,  Elnathan,  Alva, 
Hannah  (wife  of  John  Crane),  and  Polly  (wife  of  Michael  Sloal). 

Horace  Gregory  was  born  in  1792  and  died  December  9th, 
1863.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  H.  Seeley, 
and  their  children  were:  Mary,  wife  of  Isaac  Hill;  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Harrison  Marion;  and  Daniel,  who  is  now  president  of 
Lake  Forest  University,  111. 

Lewis  Gregory  (born  1787  and  died  March  27th, 1819)  left  a  son, 
Dr.  Lewis  H.  Gregory,  born  December  24th,  1818,  died  June 
19th,  1882,  who  was  a  very  prominent  citizen  of  Carmel  and 
largely  interested  in  real  estate  at  Lake  Mahopac,  and  owner  of 
the  popular  "Gregory  House."  He  left  one  daughter,  Lucena, 
wife  of  Joseph  G.  Cole. 


394  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

James  Gregory  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Ganung, 
and  had  children:  Dr.  Ebenezer,  Abel  and  George.  The  last 
married  Elizabeth  Byington,  and  left  a  son,  Charles,  who  is  now 
living  near  Croton  Palls. 

The  homestead  of  Daniel  Gregory  was  the  place  now  owned 
by  Mrs.  Anna  Baker,  wife  of  Lewis  Baker,  on  the  road  from 
Lake  Mahopac  to  Croton  Falls,  a  short  distance  north  of  the 
junction  of  Broad  Brook  and  Croton  River. 

Here,  on  the  former  stream  was  "Gregory's  Mills,"  where 
quite  a  business  was  done  in  former  times,  and  where  a  new  mill 
has  lately  been  built. 

On  the  premises  is  a  neglected  family  burying  ground,  where 
rests  Daniel  Gregory  and  his  son,  Lewis. 

The  Austin  Family.— Jonathan  Austin,  the  ancestor  of  this 
family,  is  said  to  have  come  to  t:his  part  of  the  country  from 
Rye,  Westchester  county,  many  years  before  the  Revolution, 
and  died  previous  to  1777.  His  wife,  Charity  Odell,  survived 
him  several  years.  Their  children  were:  Jonathan,  Smith,  Job, 
Robert,  Isaac,  Anna  (wife  of  Sebbeus  Howe),  and  Hebecca. 

Of  these  children,  Jonathan,  the  oldest,  married  Sarah  Slack. 
He  moved  to  Dutchess  county  and  left  a  son,  David,  and  other 
children. 

Smith  Austin  married  Martha  Brewer,  and  had  four  children: 
Robert,  Absalom,  Hettie  (wife  of  James  Barker),  and  Althea 
(wife  of  Richard  Dean). 

Robert  Austin  married  first,  Elizabeth  Lane.  Their  children 
were:  James,  Amos  L.,  George,  Absalom,  Nathan  L.,  Mary, 
Phebe,  Adah  (wife  of  Orin  Agor),  Eleanor  (wife  'of  Anthony 
Stokum),  Nanc3'  (wife  of  Hiram  Kniffen). 

Isaac  Austin  married  Ann  Currey.  They  were  the  parents  of 
five  children:  Jonathan,  Job  C,  Locke,  Charity  and  Mary. 
These  families  have  many  descendants  in  this  county. 

Job  Austin  was  born  March  31st,  1759,  and  died  February 
7th,  1847,  at  the  age  of  88.  He  married  Mary  Nelson,  who  was 
born  April  21st,  1758.  After  her  decease,  which  occurred  Sep- 
tember 18th,  1798,  he  married  Hannah,  widow  of  Eleazar  Hazen, 
who  was  born  in  1755,  and  died  December  13th,  1839.  Job 
Austin  had  three  children:  Silas,  Sarah  (wife  of  Cornelius 
Tompkins),  and  Mercy  (wife  of  Peter  Crookston). 

Silas  Austin  was  born  May  5th,  1780.     He  married  in  1805, 


TOWN   OF   CAEMEL.  395 

Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Tompkins.  They  were  parents 
of  eleven  children:  Jacob,  Nelson,  Eleazar,  Nathaniel,  Mary 
(wife  of  Peter  Anderson),  Sarah,  Jane  (wife  Harrison  Agor), 
Greorge,  Phebe,  Amos  L.,  and  one  child,  Mercy,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  five  years.  Silas  Austin  died  December  9th,  1841.  His 
wife  survived  him  and  died  July  26th,  1857.  The  four  older 
sons  removed  to  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  where  their  families 
are  now  living. 

Amos  L.  Austin,  the  youngest  child,  and  the  representative 
of  this  family  in  Putnam  county,  was  born  June  10th,  1827. 
He  married  Cynthia,  daughter  of  Levi  Cole,  and  granddaughter 
of  Deacon  Daniel  Cole,  who  is  well  known  in  the  annals  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  this  portion  of  the  country.  Their 
children  are:  Elizabeth,  wife  of  La  Fayette  Pinckney;  Silas, 
Levi  C,  Nelson,  Mila  and  Theodore.  Of  these  children,  Silas, 
the  eldest  son,  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Barrett, 
and  has  two  children,  Henry  and  Mila.  Levi  C.  married 
Susan,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Smith,  and  their  children  are 
Amos  and  Cynthia,   twins. 

Job  Austin  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution  and  served  dur- 
ing the  war.  He  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of  White  Plains 
and  although  a  long  time  in  active  service  he  escaped  un- 
wounded.  His  descendant,  Mr.  Amos  L.  Austin,  now  owns 
the  old  homestead  farm  which  was  sold  to  his  ancestor  by  the 
commissioners  of  forfeitures,  being  a  part  of  the  Morris  Lot. 
The  first  house  built  on  this  tract  was  of  logs  arid  stood  a  few 
rods  west  of  the  present  residence.  This  was  destroyed  many 
years  ago  and  a  second  dwelling  was  erected  near  the  old  site. 
This  in  turn  was  torn  down  and  the  present  dwelling  house  of 
Mr.  Austin  was  built  in  1835. 

Lewis  Ga  Nun. — The  various  families  in  this  county  spelling 
their  names  Ganung,  Ganong  and  Ga  Nun,  are  all  doubtless  de- 
scended from  one  ancestor,  and  are  all  of  the  same  race.  The 
family  is  of  French  origin,  and  were  probably  among  the 
Huguenots  who  came  to  this  country  about  1686.  The  original 
of  tiie  name  is  believed  to  be  Ga  Nun,  although  only  one  branch 
adheres  to  that  form.  In  the  assessment  role  of  1777  several 
persons  are  named  of  this  family. 

Jacob  Ga  Nun  was  born  in  1748,  and  died  December  22d,  1834, 
at  the  age  of  86;  and  is   buried  in   the  old  burying  ground  at 


396  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Gilead.  He  was  probably  a  son  of  Joseph  Ga  Nun.  His  home- 
stead was  a  farm  in  the  south  part  of  Carmel,  and  is  now  owned 
by  Stephen  Voris.  He  married  Hannah  Wilson,  who  died  May 
22d,  1845,  at  the  age  of  92.  Their  children  were:  Jonathan,  who 
settled  in  New  York;  Daniel,  who  married  Adah,  daughter  of 
Eeuben  Ga  Nun  (his  son,  Janet  Ga  Nun,  now  lives  near  Union 
Valley);  Thomas,  who  left  three  sons:  Horton,  a  list  of  whose 
descendants  are  her«  given:  James,  who  lived  in  Westchester 
county;  Joseph,  born  1778,  died  May  24th,  1836  (He  and  his 
wife  Susannah  are  buried  at  Gilead  burying* ground);  Hannah, 
wife  of  Marcus  Sloat;  Polly,  wife  of  Sturgis  Downs;  Nancy, 
wife  of  Green  Thorn;  and  Plieba. 

Horton  Ga  Nun  died  in  1836,  aged  50  years,  1  month  and  8 
days.  He  married  Urania  Dean  and  by  this  marriage  had  two 
sons,  Lewis  and  James.  Mr.  Ga  Nun  was  married  a  second  time 
to  Jane,  daughter  of  Thomas  Wilson,  and  the  children  of  this 
marriage  werei  Leonard  and:  Augusta  J.,  wife  of  Osmond 
Ballard. 

Lewis  Ga  Nun,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  near 
Union  Valley  in  Carmel,  April  4th,  1812.  Shortly  after  his  birth 
his  father  moved  to  Westchester  county  and  lived  in  the  town 
of  Somers.  When  he  was  three  years  old  his  mother  died  and 
he  was  sent  to  live  with  his  grandfather.  His  father,  after  his 
second  marriage,  returned  to  Carmel,  and  lived  for  twenty-one 
years  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Elbert  Sloat. 

Mr.  Ga  Nun  lived  with  his  father  till  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1836.  He  then  began  business  on  his  own 
account. 

After  living  awhile  in  Carmel  village  he  went  to  Kent,  where 
he  lived  two  years,  and  then  returned  to  Carmel  when  he  pur- 
chased his  present  residence  of  Jonathan  Cole,  and  here  he  has 
ever  since  made  his  home.  He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Pierce,  May  30th,  1840;  she  died  November  9th,  1885. 
Their  children  were:  Horton,  Barnabas  C.  and  Mary  D. 

Arriving  at  thirteen  years  of  age  Barnabas  C.  Ga  Nun  began 
business  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Abner  Seaman.  In  April, 
1868,  he,  with  his  brother  Horton,  engaged  in  business  on  their 
own  account,  in  a  small  store  on  the  site  of  the  north  wing  of 
the  Smalley  Hotel. 

Mr.  Horton  Ga  Nun  died  July  24th,  1869,  and  in  1877  Barna- 
bas purchased  the  store  formerly  occupied  by  Crane  &  Seaman, 


.^l-Ct-t^-t^ 


^dyfl.^yr^^ 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  397 

and  removed  from  where  lie  and  his  brother  had  kept  a  store 
for  several  years  previous  to  his  present  location.  From  a  small 
beginning  the  business  has  rapidly  increased  and  Mr.  Ga  Nun 
is  justly  reckoned  among  the  thriving  and  prosperous  business 
men  of  the  county. 

Thaddeits  R.  Ganung,  who  has  for  many  years  been  promi- 
nently connected  with  the  history  of  Lake  Mahopac,  was 
born  November  17th,  1829.  His  father,  Marcus,  and  his  grand- 
father, Abraham,  were  both  residents  of  the  southern  part  of 
the  town  of  Carmel,  the  old  homestead  being  the  farm  in  Union 
Valley,  owned  by  Mrs.  Theodore  Ganung.  His  early  days  were 
passed  on  the  homestead,  but  on  reaching  manhood  he  went 
into  business  on  his  own  account,  first  as  a  stone  mason,  but 
later  as  a  contractor,  in  which  he  engaged  extensively. 

The  county  clerk's  office  at  Carmel,  the  Tilden  House  at 
Lake  Mahopac,  the  Methodist  church  at  Shrub  Oaks,  in  West- 
chester county,  and  the  library  of  Mr.  Daniel  D.  Chamberlain 
are  among  the  works  executed  by  him. 

Mr.  Ganung' s  first  connections  with  Lake  Mahopac  began 
in  1854.  At  that  time  he  was  connected  with  Dr.  Lewis  H. 
Gregory  as  part  owner  of  his  hotel  enterprise.  He  remained 
with  him  till  1859,  and  then  resuming  his  former  business  as  a 
contractor,  he  superintended  the  improvements  on  the  grounds 
purchased  by  wealthy  citizens  of  New  York,  and  transformed 
the  wilderness  of  nature  into  the  elegance  of  art,  and  the  re- 
sults of  his  skill  are  likely  to  be  visible  for  long  years  to  come. 

In  1859  Mr.  Ganung  purchased  Fairy  Island.  Just  before 
the  time  of  the  purchase  it  was  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of 
bushes,  but  a  fire  had  swept  over  it  and  not  only  destroyed  the 
vegetation,  but  actually  consumed  the  soil  itself.  In  former 
years  the  island  was  covered  with  a  growth  of  lofty  pines,  but 
these  had  long  since  disappeared.  The  extent  of  this  little 
island  has  been  somewhat  enlarged,  and  by  his  care  and  skill 
it  has  been  transformed  into  a  place  which  justly  merits  the 
name  it  has  gained. 

The  first  store,  and  indeed  the  first  building  at  the  railroad  sta- 
tion near  Lake  Mahopac,  was  built  by  Mr.  Ganung  in  1860. 
upon  a  tract  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  road.  This  tract 
was  afterward  sold  in  small  lots  at  a  large  advance  on  its 
original  cost. 


398  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

In  1870  Mr.  Ganung  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the 
west  shore  of  Lake  Mahopac,  including  nearly  a  mile  of  water 
front.  This  he  sold  to  the  Improvement  Company,  but  subse- 
quently it  came  back  into  his  possession. 

In  1870  Mr.  Ganung,  in  company  with  Dr.  Gregory,  pur- 
chased the  cottage  and  grounds  of  Marian  De  La  Varre,  and 
after  various  transfers  it  has  become  the  property  of  Mrs.  Ga- 
nung, and  by  the  addition  of  many  improvements  it  is  now 
one  of  the  finest  residences  on  the  lake.  Many  of  the  land 
purchases  of  the  Lake  Mahopac  Improvement  Company  were 
made  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Ganung,  and  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  there  is  no  man  who  is  more  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  inner  history  of  that  enterprise  than  himself. 

Mr.  Ganung  was  married  in  1858,  to  Miss  Marianne  Hudson, 
of  a  Lancastershire  family  in  England  and  descended  from  the 
family  of  Entwisel  of  Rochdale. 

In  the  parish  church  of  St.  Chad,  Rochdale,  is  the  following 
inscription:  "  Here  Ij^eth  Sir  Bertine  Entwisel,  Knight,  which 
was  born  in  Lancastershire,  and  was  Viscount  and  Baron  of 
Brybeke  in  Normandy  and  Bailiff  of  Constantin,  who  died 
fighting  on  king  Henry  VI.  party,  28th  May  1455." 
"  On  whose  sowl  Jesus  have  mercy." 

Robert  D.  Wixsom'. — About  the  middle  of  the  last  century, 
two  brothers,  Peleg  and  Shubael  Wixsom,  came  from  Cape  Cod 
and  settled  in  Carmel,  on  a  farm  north  of  Lake  Mahopac.  This 
farm,  which  extended  from  Long  Pond  to  Wixsom  Pond,  em- 
braced 195  acres  and  was  sold  to  the  two  brothers  by  the  com- 
missoners  of  forfeiture,  April  19th,  1782,  and  they  divided  it 
between  them,  May  11th,  1795,  Shubael  taking  the  south  part. 

Shubael  Wixsom  died  April  11th,  1803,  aged  64  years.  He 
left  a  wife,  Billeche,  and  six  children:  Elijah,  Barnabas,  Shu- 
bael, Robert,  Elizabeth  and  Lavina. 

Robert  Wixsom  was  born  March  2d,  1782,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 19th,  1861,  and  is  buried  by  the  Baptist  church  at  Red  Mills. 
He  married  Anne,  daughter  of  James  Tompkins,  and  their 
children  were:  Billeche,  born  February  20th,  1805,  married 
Abraham  Cronk;  Phebe,  born  March  10th,  1807,  married  John 
Wright;  James  T.,  born  June  25th,  1809;  Drusilla,  born  August 
25th,  1812;  Nathaniel,  born  August  17th,  1814,  now  living  near 

'  Also  spelled  Wixum  and  Wixon. 


'^u^ 


CC-. 


Eng  ^by  SBHalU  Sons  J^eiiQ-arfc 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  399 

Red  Mills;  Mary  A.,  born  December  31st,  1816,  married  James 
Wright;  Rachael,  born  April  15th,  1819;  Tamar  A.,  born  De- 
cember 10th,  1820,  died  young;  Robert  Dorson,  born  October 
8th,  1822,  died  July  10th,  1885;  Alpheus  T.,  born  August  17th, 
1824,  deceased;  and  Susan  E.,  born  March  22d,  1827,  married 
William  Cole. 

Robert  Dorson  Wixson  was  born  at  the  old  homestead  of  his 
father,  and  his  entire  life  was  passed  upon  the  place  where  he 
was  born.  Inheriting  a  large  farm  from  his  father,  he  made 
agriculture  the  principal  business  of  his  life.  He  also  engaged 
in  buying  and  selling  horses  and  cattle  and  was  one  of  the  largest 
dealers  in  this  branch  of  business  in  the  country.  At  the  time 
of  the  land  speculations  around  Lake  Mahopac,  he  sold  80  acres 
of  the  south  part  of  his  farm  to  Edwin  A.  Saportas,  for  $20,000. 
For  many  years  Mr.  Wixsom  was  connected  with  town  affairs 
as  assessor  and  overseer  of  poor.  He  was  a  contributing  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Society  of  Carmel,  and  a  very  liberal  sup- 
porter. After  a  very  active  and  useful  life,  Mr.  Wixsom  died, 
July  10th,  1885,  aged  62  years,  9  months,  and  2  days.  Mr. 
Wixsom  married  Charlotte  A.,  daughter  of  James  Hill,  October 
12th,  1864.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  daughters,  Anna  and 
Tottie,  who  are  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  with  their 
mother. 

Nathaniel  Wixsom,  brother  of  Robert  D.,  married  Sarah, 
daughter  of  John  Barrett.  His  children  are:  Margaret,  wife  of 
Elam  Barrett;  John;  and  Susan  E.,  wife  of  Sarles  Drew. 

Alpheus  T.  Wixsom,  brother  of  Robert  D.,  married  Amy 
Scott.  His  children  are:  James,  who  is  living  at  Lake  Gilead; 
Ira  C,  Sarah  A.  and  Charles. 

Peleg  Wixsom  died  about  1804,  at  an  advanced  age.  He 
had  a  wife,  Margaret,  and  children;  James  (born  1773,  died 
February  18th,  1849),  Joseph,  Daniel,  Anna  (wife  of  John 
Russel),  and  Katy,  wife  of  Isaac  Austin.  James  Wixsom  mar- 
ried Lizzie  Barger  and  had  sons,  Bentley,  John,  and  Stephen. 
Joseph  AVixsom  married  Deborah  Brown  and  left  sons,  Joseph, 
Egbert  and  Doris.  Daniel  Wixsom  married  Sarah  Ayres.  His 
children  were  David,  Reuben  and  Peleg. 

John  Wi:^som  (son  of  James)  was  born  March  2d,  1795,  and 
died  September  19th,  1870.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Badeau.  His  children  were:  Abram  B."  (born  1819), 
James,  Edward  J.  (of  Putnam   Valley),   Lewis   W.   (of  Iowa) 


400  IIISTOIIY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Anna  E.,  Almira  (wife  of  Darius  Hopkins),  Adeline  (wife  of 
Albert  Wright)  and  William  M.  (born  1836).  David  Wixsom, 
son  of  Daniel,  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  Jacob  Tomkins, 
and  had  two  sons,  Reuben  and  Joshua.  Reuben  Wixsom,  son 
of  Daniel,  married  Irene  Hopkins  and  had  children;  Bentley 
(now  living  in  Kent),  Esther,  Silas  and  Daniel. 

The  farm  sold  by  the  Samuel  Dodge  and  John  Hathorn, 
commissioners  of  forfeiture,  to  Peleg  and  Daniel  Wixsom, 
April  19th,  1782,  is  thus  described:  "All  that  tract  beginning 
at  a  black  oak  tree,  a  corner  to  farm  No.  52  and  64,  thence 
runs  south  2  degrees  east  30  chains,  50  links,  to  a  walnut  tree 
marked,  thence  south  40  west  5,  74  to  a  white  oak  tree,  a  corner 
to  farm  55,  thence  south  21,  30  east  13,  50  to  a  maple  tree  by  a 
pond,  corner  to  farm  53;  then  along  the  south  side  of  the  said 
pond  to  the  ash  tree  marked,  a  corner  to  farm  53;  thence  north 
56  east  11,  35  to  farm  59,  and  by  the  same  north  9  east  15,  50: 
thence  north  13,  45  east  40,  30  to  the  long  pond  and  thence  up 
along  the  same  to  the  beginning  containing  193  acres." 

It  would  seem  from  this  that  Wixsom  Pond  is  included  in 
this  farm,  though  the  description  of  the  Robert  Hughson  farm 
would  also  seem  to  include  it.  The  farm  was  divided  between 
the  two  brothers  May  11th,  1795.  Peleg  had  the  north  part 
described  as  "  beginning  at  a  black  oak  tree  and  running  south 
2  degrees  east  26  chains  25  links;  thence  east  41  chains  20  links 
to  a  stake,  then  N.  12  E.  36  CH.  to  Long  Pond,  and  along  the 
same  to  place  of  beginning."  This  part  of  the  farm  was  left 
by  Peleg  Wixsom  to  his  son  James,  and  from  him  it  came  in 
possession  of  his  son  John  Wixsom.  It  was  sold  under  mort- 
gage to  Kelsey  Agor  and  is  now  owned  by  Allen  Adams.  The 
old  house  of  Peleg  Wixsom  is  still  standing  on  the  farm. 

The  south  part  of  the  farm  which  fell  to  Shubael  Wixsom 
descended  to  his  son  Robert  who  added  to  it  by  buying  part  of 
the  old  Robert  Hughson  farm.  This  was  the  tract  sold  by 
Robert  D.  Wixsom  to  Edwin  A.  Saportas.  The  old  house  of 
Shubael  Wixsom  (long  since  destroyed)  stood  a  short  distance 
north  of  Wixsom  Pond.  The  farm  descended  from  Robert 
Wixsom  to  his  son  Robert  D.  Wixsom,  as  previously  mentioned. 

Nathan  L.  Thompson. — Among  the  men  who  came  to  Lake 
Mahopac  in  "the  days  when  agriculture  was  the  only  business 
conducted  around  its  shores,  and  hotels  and  boarding  houses. 


TOWN   OF  CABMEL.  401 

with  their  attendant  gaiety  and  fashion,  were  unknown,  was 
Stephen  Thompson,  a  native  of  Derby,  Connecticut. 

He,  became  a  resident  of  Carmel  as  early  as  1822,  and  pur- 
chased from  William  Wright  a  small  piece  of  land  on  the  shore 
of  Lake  Mahopac  at  the  place  where  Stephen  Monk  afterward 
erected  the  first  hotel.  Here  Mr.  Thompson  established  a  hat 
manufactory  and  conducted  a  business  that  was  considered 
extensive  in  the  times  when  making  hats  by  steam  power  had 
not  con^e  to  the  aid  of  human  power. 

His  s\^p,  Nathan  L.  Thompson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  in  Derby,  Conn.,  March  17th,  1815,  and  came  to  this 
place  with  his  father  when  a  boy.  He  subsequently  re- 
turned to  his  native  place  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  hat 
making. 

In  1842  he  purchased  from  Henry  S.  Baldwin  a  tract  of  land 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Mahopac  and  established  his  business. 

The  advertisements  which  appeared  in  the  local  newspapers 
at  that  time  show  that  Mr.  Thompson  was  a  man  of  energy  and 
great  practical  knowledge,  and  his  hat  manufactory  was  exten- 
sive and  gave  employment  to  many  men.  About  1851,  Mr. 
Thompson,  whose  place  on  the  lake  was  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive in  the  neighborhood,  opened  his  house  to  the  eager 
crowd  of  tourists  who  were  seeking  for  places  to  pass  the 
summer  weather  in  this  delightful  and  remote  region. 

Beginning  on  a  small  scale  he  gradually  increased  his  ac- 
commodations till  at  length  his  guests  numbered  over  three 
hundred,  and  the  i-eputation  of  the  "Thompson  House"  was 
known  far  and  wide. 

At  a  time  when  the  house  was  filled  with  guests  and  in  the 
midst  of  a. prosperous  season  the  hotel  was  burned  on  the  6th  of 
July,  1869,  leaving  nothing  but  smoking  ruins  on  the  place 
where  so  short  a  time  before  had  been  the  abode  of  comfort  and 
luxury. 

Mr.  Thompson,  with  his  accustomed  energy,  immediately 
proceeded  to  rebuild  and  the  next  season  a  larger  house,  with 
superior  accommodations,  was  waiting  to  receive  the  throng  of 
guests  that  came  again  to  the  lake. 

At  the  time  when  the  most  reckless  land  speculation  was  the 
order  of  the  day  around  Lake  Mahopac  Mr.  Thompson  pur- 
sued the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  contented  with  a  legitimate 
prosperous  business  and  leaving  speculation  to  others  less  wise 
26 


402  HISTOKY    01'  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  in  the  end  less  successful.  The  natural  result  was  that  the 
"Thompson  House"  was  about  the  only  piece  of  property 
around  the  lake  which  did  not  go  through  the  experience  of 
mortgage  foreclosure  and  sale. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  a  man  of  strictly  honest  principles,  one 
whose  word  was  universally  known  to  be  as  good  as  his  bond. 
Possessed  of  great  energy  and  perseverance  he  built  up  a  large 
and  prosperous  business  from  a  very  small  beginning,  and  left 
it  well  established  and  unencumbered. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Carmel  in 
1867-68-69.  As  a  man  of  liberal  views  and  strict  integrity  he 
was  well  known  and  popular  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  married  in  1837  to  Miss  Hannah  M., 
daughter  of  Joseph  Wooster,  a  representative  of  a  well  known 
Connecticut  family. 

After  a  useful  and  very  siiccessful  life  Mr.  Thompson  died 
December  28th,  1884,  and  a  monument  of  substantial  and  ele- 
gant simplicity  marks  his  resting  place  in  the  cemetery  by  the 
Presbyterian  church,  at  Red  Mills,  of  which  he  was  a  prominent 
member. 

James  C.  Gulick  is  descended  on  the  paternal  side  from  James 
Grulick,  who  fought  with  honor  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and 
whose  ancestors  came  from  Holland,  settling  on  Long  Island  at 
an  early  period  in  American  history.  Previous  to  the  war  with 
Great  Britain  they  had  removed  to  New  Jersey,  where  they 
took  upland,  a  portion  of  which  is  still  in  possession  of  mem- 
bers of  the  family.  A  brother  of  James  Gulick  also  fought 
with  the  patriot  army  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth. 

On  the  maternal  side  Mr.  Gulick  is  descended  from  Thomas 
Galbraith,  who  came  from  Scotland  and  whose  name  was  after- 
ward changed  to  Galbraith.  Thomas  Galbraith  settled  in 
Somerstown,  Westchester  county,  where  he  married  Susannah 
Finch  of  an  old  English  family,  originally  settled  in  Gonnecti 
cut,  but  a  few  of  whose  members  had  removed  to  New  York 
State.  Thomas  Galbraith  also  fought  in  the  Revolution  and 
was  wounded,  his  widow  drawing  a  pension  from  the  govern- 
ment till  the  time  of  her  death.  After  the  decease  of  her  husband 


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TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  403 

Mrs.  Calbraith  came  to  New  York  city  with  her  daughter.  Mill- 
cent,  who  married  at  that  place,  January  6th,  1821,  Isaac,  a  son 
of  James  Gulick.  Mr.  G-ulick  had  taken  up  his  residence  in 
New  York  together  with  his  brother,  James,  who  was  at  one 
time  register  of  the  city  and  county  of  New  York  and  also 
chief  of  the  City  Fire  Department,  holding  that  office  at  the 
time  of  the  great  lire  in  1835.  Isaac  Gulick  had  three  children, 
all  sons,  of  whom  James,  the  eldest,  was  born  in  New  York, 
July  4th,  1822. 

Till  his  fourteenth  year  Mr.  Gulick  attended  the  private 
school  of  Mr.  Kirby  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home,  after 
which,  in  1841,  he  entered  as  a  clerk  the  wholesale  grocery  store 
of  Piatt  Brush  in  West  street.  Here  he  remained  six  years, 
when  he  started  in  business  for  himself.  In  1848  he  admitted  to 
partnership  Mr.  Francis  H.  Holmes,  the  firm  continning  under 
the  name  of  Gulick  &  Holmes  till  1861,  when,  Mr.  Holmes  hav- 
ing retired,  a  new  firm  was  organized,  long  known  as  Scudder, 
Gulick  &  Van  Kleeck.  In  1877,  just  thirty  years  from  its  or- 
ganization, the  business  was  discontinued,  the  members  of  the 
firm  retiring  to  private  life.  The  history  of  Mr.  Gulick' s  busi- 
ness career  would  be  considered  remarkable  in  these  days  of 
loose  business  method.  During  its  whole  progress  he  never 
asked  an  extension  of  time  nor  credit,  and  for  a  long  period  at 
its  latter  end  he  never  gave  a  note. 

Since  his  retirement  Mr.  Gulick  has  spent  his  winters  in  New 
York  city  and  his  summers  in  his  residence  at  Mahopac.  He  is 
a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Methodist  Church  of  New  York  city 
and  is  an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  practical  religion.  He 
is  vice  president  of  the  Excelsior  Savings  Bank  of  New  York, 
and  is  also  a  director  in  the  New  York,  Standard  and  Globe 
Insurance  Companies  of  that  city,  the  latter  of  which  he  assisted 
to  organize. 

Mr.  Gulick  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Mary 
A.  Reid,  by  whom  he  had  four  children:  Mary  A.,  John  C, 
Richard  M.,  and  James  I.  In  1879  he  married  for  his  second 
wife  Mary  E.  Jones  of  New  York  city.  Mr.  Gulick  is  a  public 
spirited  and  "thoroughly  philanthropic  gentleman  and  his  resi- 
dence in  Putnam  county  has  been  productive  of  good  results 
both  to  the  young  who  profit  by  his  example  and  the  older 
members  of  society  who  enjoy  his  friendship. 


404  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

The  Miller  Family. — James  Miller  was  among  the  early- 
settlers  at  Norwalk,  Conn.,  in  1671,  having  come  to  that  place 
from  the  early  Massachusetts  settlements.  He  is  said  to  have 
had  two  brothers:  Thomas  who  settled  in  Peru,  Vt.,  and  John 
who  settled  at  Southampton,  L.  I.,  and  was  the  ancestor  of  the 
families  in  that  region.  James  Miller  and  his  wife,  Martha, 
were  in  Rye  in  1681,  and  lived  on  "  Budd's  Neck,  near  the  West- 
chester path."  His  children,  so  far  as  known,  were  Abraham, 
Samuel  and  Anthony. 

Abraham  Miller  was  born  in  1744  and  died  in  1794.  He  was 
a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  lived  and  died  at  Saw  Pitts,  now 
Portchester.  He  married  Phebe,  "daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah 
(Seaman)  Hawxhurst,  of  Rye,  formerly  of  Oyster  Bay,  L.  I.,  in 
1770.  She  was  born  May  30th,  1748  (O.  S.),  at  Oyster  Bay,  and 
died  November  23d,  1831,  at  Somers  town. 

Abraham  Miller  was  a  preacher  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
a  companion  of  Elias  Hicks.  His  children  were:  Daniel,  born 
February  22d,  1771,  died  September  2d,  1841;  Philadelphia, 
born  August  2d,  1773,  died  November  13th,  1852;  Elizabeth, 
born  1776,  died  1850;  Richard,  born  January,  1779,  died  October 
3d,  1845;  Charles,  born  November  1st,  1781,  died  August  29th, 
1868;  John,  born  1783,  died  1817;  Abraham,  born  January 
17th,  1784,  died  March  4th,  1847;  Walter,  born  1786,  died  1787; 
Phebe,  born  1788,  died  1809;  and  Walter,  born  1790,  died 
1838. 

Abraham  Miller,  the  seventh  child  of  the  above  family,  was  a 
farmer  and  paper  manufacturer,  and  resided  at  Somers,  West- 
chester county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  was  buried  at  Amawalk.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Jane  (Cornell)  GrifBn,  of  Mamaroneck,  June 
21st,  1804.  She  was  born  August  15th,  1783,  and  died  June  18th, 
1858.  Their  children  were:  Jane  G.,  born  September  22d,  1805, 
married  Henry  Gee;  Eliza,  born  August  9th,  1807,  married  Henry 
Carpenter;  Phebe,  born  January  26th,  1810,  married  Henry 
Birdsall;  Robert,  born  June  21st,  1812,  now  living  in  Sing  Singj 
John  G.,  born  December  23d,  1814,  died  March  31st,  1885;  Ben- 
jamin Gr.,  born  March  20th,  1819,  died  July  29th,  1860;  Charles, 
born  March  23d,  1821,  living  in  New  York;  Abraham  H.,  born 
December  19th,  1824,  died  March  11th,  1854;  and  MaryE.,  born 
March  27th,  1830. 


yH^M^j:^. 


TOWN    OF   CAEMEL.  405 

Dr.  Henry  F.  Miller,  who  is  a  prominent  surgeon  dentist, 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  December  10th,  1841. 
His  father,  John  G.  Miller,  who  was  a  native  of  Westchester 
connty,  married  Phebe,  daughter  of  Isaac  Carpenter,  the  repre- 
sentative of  an  old  family  in  that  part  of  the  State. 

The  children  of  this  marriage  were:  William  J.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  33;  Dr.  Henry  F. ;  Abram  J.,  the  present  district  at- 
torney of  Putnam  county;  Dr.  Alonzo  B.,  of  New  York;  Ma- 
tilda J.,  deceased;  and  Phebe,  wife  of  James  A.  Foshay.  After 
the  decease  of  Mrs.  Miller,  Mr.  Miller  married  Emily  A.  Hotch- 
kiss,  and  had  a  child,  Annie  C. 

The  parents  of  Dr.  Miller  removed  to  Carmel  while  he  was  a 
child,  and  in  the  schools  of  this  village  he  received  his  early 
education,  and  afterward  was  a  student  at  the  well-known  in- 
stitute at  Claverack.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began  the 
study  of  dental  surgery  under  the  direction  of  his  uncle,  Dr. 
Charles  Miller;  in  New  York.  After  completing  his  studies  he 
commenced  practice  in  Brewster,  which  he  still  continues,  divid- 
ing his  time  between  that  village  and  Carmel. 

For  several  years  he  held  the  office  of  United  States  assistant 
assessor,  in  this  district,  and  is  at  present  one  of  the  directors 
of  the  Putnam  County  National  Bank. 

In  1880,  Dr.  Miller  erected  his  residence  in  the  village  of  Car- 
mel, and  makes  this  place  his  permanent  home. 

Dr.  Miller  married  Frankie  E.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Travis. 
Their  children  are  Harry  Boyd  and  William  Travis. 

In  his  profession  Dr.  Miller  stands  as  one  of  its  most  promi- 
nent representatives  in  the  county,  and  enjoys  an  extensive 
and  increasing  practice. 

He  is  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
one  of  the  supporting  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
Carmel. 

Hon.  Henry  D.  Clapp. — Among  the  young  men  who  have 
established  a  reputation  and  a  name  in  the  county  a  prominent 
place  must  be  given  to  the  subject  of  this  article.  Mr.  Clapp 
was  born  at  the  old  homestead  of  his  grandfather,  Daniel  Drew, 
at  Drewville,  August  16th,  1859. 

His  early  education  was  carefully  superintended  by  a  private 
tutor,  and  after  a  preparatory  course  at  Drew  Seminary,  he 
entered  Madison  University.     Upon  completing  his  studies  at 


406  HISTORY   OP   PTTTNAM   COUNTY. 

that  institution  he  entered  Columbia  Law  School,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1883. 

The  republican  party  of  the  county,  in  just  recognition  of  his 
ability,  gave  him  the  nomination  for  member  of  Assembly  in 
the  county  convention  of  1884.  This  nomination  was  ratified 
by  an  election  with  the  largest  majority  ever  given  to  a  member, 
defeating  his  opponent  by  a  majority  of  791.  He  was  the 
youngest  member  ever  elected  from  Putnam  county,  and  upon 
taking  his  seat  in  the  Legislature  in  January,  1885,  Mr.  Clapp 
was  appointed  to  the  committees  on  Judiciary  and  Prisons. 
During  his  Legislative  course  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  in- 
vestigation concerning  prison  labor  and  the  various  questions 
arising  from  it,  and  felt  an  especial  interest  in  the  reform  legis- 
lation for  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  an  able  supporter  of 
Hon.  Theodore  Roosevelt  in  his  efforts  to  accomplish  so  worthy 
a  design. 

Since  retiring  from  the  Legislature  Mr.  Clapp  has  been  en- 
gaged in  business  in  New  York.  The  estate  on  which  Mr.  Clapp 
resides  includes  the  greater  portion  of  the  old  James  Dickinson 
farm,  of  which  a  detailed  account  has  been  given  in  another 
part  of  this  work.  It  has  descended  to  him  from  his  grand- 
father, Daniel  Drew,  who  purchased  it  from  the  heirs  of  its 
former  owner,  ElishaCole.  One  of  the  episodes  of  his  boyhood 
days  was  the  "breaking  ground"  for  the  Drew  College,  Octo- 
ber 1st,  1872,  on  which  occasion  he  (then  a  boy  of  thirteen) 
performed  the  ceremony  in  the  name  of  his  grandfather. 

Mr.  Clapp,  in  gratification  of  a  refined  and  liberal  literary 
taste,  has  collected  a  fine  library  which  furnishes  enjoyment  for 
his  hours  of  leisure  which,  as  an  active  man  of  business,  it  may 
be  well  supposed  are  not  numerous. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Clapp,  of  which  a  view  is  presented,  was 
originally  built  by  Dr.  Addison  Ely,  but  was  greatly  embellished 
and  enlarged  to  its  present  proportions  by  his  respected  father. 
Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp,  the  improvements  being  designed  by  him 
from  architectural  designs  which  met  his  eye  when  travelling 
in  Europe. 

Mr.  Clapp  married  Miss  Jessie,  daughter  of  Stephen  T. 
McMahon,  of  Southeast,  February  17th,  1885. 

Bryant  S.  Palmer,  a  well  known  citizen  and  successful 
merchant  of  Carmel,  was  born  at  Long  Ridge,  a  small  village 


TOWN   OF   CARMEL.  407 

in  the  north  part  of  the  town  of  Stamford,  Fairfield  county, 
Conn.  October  5th,  1842.  He  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  two 
sons  aad  tljree  daughters. 

His  .'ather,  Charles  J.  Palmer,  was  born  and  reared  in  the 
town  of  Greenwich,  Connecticut.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Margaret  Scofield.  She  was  a  native  of  Pound  Eidge, 
Westchester  county.  Her  father,  Elijah  Scofield,  was  the 
youngest  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to 
be  over  seventy-two  years  old.  His  great-grandfather,  on  his 
mother's  side,  was  David  Scofield,  who  served  as  a  soldier  In 
the  Revolutionary  war  and  was  for  sometime  a  prisoner  in  the 
old  sugar  house  in  New  York  and  suffered  great  hardship. 

When  Bryant  S.  was  about  two  years  of  age  his  father  pur- 
chased a  farm  near  Stewartstown,  York  county,  Pa.  Here 
he  commenced  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  the 
town,  helping  his  father  with  the  farm  work  as  soon  as  he  was 
old  enough. 

After  living  here  nine  years  his  father  returned  to  Long  Ridge. 
Here  his  son  continued  his  studies  at  the  public  school  and 
finally  finished  his  education  at  Bedford  Academy  and  at  a 
private  school  in  Stamford,  Conn.  In  the  fall  of  1861,  he  took 
a  trip  west  as  far  as  Illinois,  and  during  the  following  winter 
taught  school  near  Elgin  in  that  State.  Returning  the  next 
spring  he  entered  the  store  of  Whitlock  Brothers  at  Croton 
Falls.  Here  he  served  his  employers  so  well  he  was  transferred 
as  manager  of  a  new  store  which  they  started  at  Purdy's  Sta- 
tion. He  continued  in  this  position  about  five  years  when  the 
business  was  sold  out  and  he  again  went  back  to  Croton  Falls 
and  became  a  partner  of  the  firm  of  Whitlock  &  Co. 

In  August,  1869,  he  came  to  Carmel  and  began  a  mercantile 
business  which  he  still  continues,  increasing  and  improving  it 
slowly  each  year. 

Mr.  Palmer  was  appointed  postmaster  without  his  solicita- 
tion in  August,  1871,  and  held  the  oflice  nearly  fifteen  years. 
He  has  been  a  director  in  the  Putnam  County  National  Bank 
since  1880,  and  also  one  of  the  officers 'of  the  Putnam  Agricul- 
tural Society  for  several  years. 

He  was  married  to  Lydia  A.  Howes  December  19th,  1872. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  William  Howes,  and  granddaughter  of 
Nathan  A.  Howes,  one  of  the  pioneer  circus  men  of  the  country. 

Their  children  are:  Charles  William,  Gertrude,  Irving  Howes, 


408  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

who  died  when  six  and  a  half  years  old;  Robert  Bryant,  Addi- 
son Ely,  Lewis  Crosby,  Mary  Ida,  Ralph  Scofield,  and  Helen. 

De.  James  H.  Merbitt,  son  of  David  and  Naomi  Merritt, 
was  born  in  Carmel,  July  26th,  1828,  the  family  from  which 
he  was  descended  being  among  the  older  settlers  in  the  county. 
His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town,  and  he  graduated  from  Amenia  Seminary. 

The  study  of  his  chosen  profession  was  begun  under  the  direc- 
tion of  a  dental  surgeon  in  Pond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  and  finished  in 
the  city  of  New  York. 

He  then  began  the  practice  of  dental  surgery  in  Carmel,  where 
he  remained  a  short  time,  and  in  1854  removed  to  Fond  du  Lac. 
In  that  place  he  remained  about  two  years,  then  returned  to 
Carmel  and  established  his  profession,  and  continued  in  its 
practice  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  August  21st, 
1883,  at  the  age  of  55. 

Dr.  Merritt  established  an  excellent  and  widespread  reputa- 
tion as  a  dental  surgeon,  and  secured  a  large  practice.  During 
the  last  years  of  his  life  he  interested  himself  largely  in  im- 
provements upon  his  property,  furnishing  profitable  employ- 
ment to  many  needy  people,  and  the  laboring  man  out  of  em- 
ployment found  in  him  a  willing  and  efficient  helper. 

He  was  a  man  of  quiet  habits,  taking  no  part  in  political 
strife,  and  devoting  his  time  to  his  business  and  his  family,  to 
whom  he  was  strongly  attached.  He  was  for  many  years  a  zeal- 
ous member  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Carmel. 

He  was  married  in  1854  to  Miss  Antoinette,  daughter  of  Mor- 
ris Brown.  Their  children  are:  Ella  (deceased),  David  S.,  Anna, 
John  B.,  and  Jessie  (deceased). 

Dr.  Merritt  was  Justly  considered  one  of  the  most  expert 
and  successful  members  of  his  profession  in  the  county.  He 
was  a  well  educated  man,  possessed  of  very  original  ideas,  and 
an  earnest  worker  in  all  that  he  undertook. 

The  Poster  Pamily. --Thomas  and  Nathaniel  Poster,  broth- 
ers, came  from  Cape  Cod  in  1740,  and  settled  in  Southeast.  The 
farm  of  Thomas  Poster  was  west  of  Doansburg,  and  he  resided 
there  till  the  time  of  his  death,  about  1790.  Thomas  had  eight 
children. 

Of  these,  James  settled  in  Southeast,  where  his  descendants 


)/t^a-^^/7 


C^^^^'Z^^ 


TOWN    OF   CAEMEL.  409 

are  numerous;  Seth  settled  on  a  farm  about  a  mile  east  of  Car- 
mel,  where  his  grandson,  William  H.  Foster,  now  lives;  and  the 
others  went  to  Dutchess  county.  Seth  Poster  married  Huldah 
Ragan,  about  1786.  Their  children  were:  Eleanor,  wife  of  Jesse 
Kelley;  Isaac,  who  died  unmarried;  Tilly,  and  Thomas.  After 
the  decease  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Foster  married  Elizabeth  King, 
and  had  two  children:  Huldah,  wife  of  Ebenezer  Kelley;  and 
Laura,  who  died  unmarried.  Seth  Foster  died  September  15th, 
1837,  aged  76. 

Tilly  Foster  was  born  in  1793,  died  April  4th,  1842.  His  home- 
stead was  the  farm  on  which  the  Tilly  Foster  Iron  Mine  is  lo- 
cated, and  from  him  it  took  its  name.  He  married  Sarah  Arm- 
strong and  had  children:  Isaac  E.;  Seth;  Eleanor,  wife  of  Mid- 
dleton  Bell;  Laura,  wife  of  Nathan  L.  King,  M.  D.;  Emily  and 
James.  By  a  second  marriage  he  had  one  son,  Walter,  who 
died  young. 

Thomas  Foster  was  born  in  1795,  and  died  September  22d , 
1840,  aged  45.  He  married  Betsy,  daughter  of  Joseph  Crane, 
in  1821.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons:  Rev.  Joseph,  born 
1822,  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Red  Mills, 
from  1854  to  1859,  and  died  in  1860,  leaving  no  children;  and 
William  Hill  Foster,  born  May  7th,  1824.  The  latter,  who  is 
now  living  on  the  ancestral  home,  about  a  mile  east  of  Carmel, 
married  Rachel  Chapman,  of  Sharon,  Conn.,  and  has  three  chil- 
dren: Emma  Josephine,  Marilla  Chapman  and  Bessie  Crane. 
Mr.  Foster  has  long  been  an  active  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Carmel,  and  for  twenty-five  years  has  been  one  of  its 
ruling  elders.  The  homestead  farm  was  held  by  lease  under 
Frederick  Philipse,  by  Seth  Poster,  from  1786  to  1801.  In  the 
latter  year  he  bought  the  farm  and  built  the  present  residence 
in  1811. 

William  W.  Eveeett,  widely  known  as  president  of  the 
New  Jersey  Steamboat  Company,  is  of  Scotch  descent,  and  is 
a  grandson  of  the  eminent  Judge  William  Watts  of  Putnam 
county.  His  father,  Leonard  K.  Everett,  who  married  Miss 
Louise  H.  Watts,  daughter  of  the  judge,  was  a  farmer  residing 
at  Carmel,  where  William  W.  was  born,  November  26th,  1888. 

After  finishing  his  education  at  the  Carmel  Academy,  now 
Drew  Seminary,  Mr.  Everett  spent  a  few  years  in  the  home  of 
his  parents,  leaving  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  for  New  York 


410  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

city,  where  he  entered  a  broker's  office  as  clerk.  He  was  thus 
employed  during  eight  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Car- 
rael,  where  he  remained  till  1877.  He  then  came  again  to  New 
York. 

At  that  time  he  was  made  a  director  in  the  New  Jersey  Steam 
boat  Company  commonly  known  as  the  People's  Line  Steamers, 
and  in  the  fall  of  the  following  year  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  corporation,  which  position  he  continues  to  hold  at  this 
time. 

Mr.  Everett  is  a  man  of  varied  abilities  and  attainments.  He 
manages  the  enormous  business  of  the  New  Jersey  Steamboat 
Company  with  promptness  and  dispatch,  and  he  has  won  for 
himself  a  foremost  place  among  the  managers  of  our  great 
steamboat  lines.  His  position  brings  him  constantly  into  con- 
tact with  the  great  men  of  the  time  and  he  is  widely  and  favor- 
ably known  not  only  throughout  his  native  county,  but 
through  the  entire  State,  particularly  at  the  capital  and  in  New 
York  city. 

Mr.  Everett  was  formerly  connected  with  a  number  of  social 
organizations  in  New  York,  prominent  among  which  were  the 
New  York  and  Manhatta'n  Clubs,  in  which  his  genial  disposi- 
tion and  open  manner  made  him  exceedingly  popular.  These 
same  characteristics  have  also  had  a  like  effect  in  Putnam 
county,  where  he  is  greatly  esteemed. 

Mr.  Everett  married  November  20th,  1860,  Miss  Georgenna 
Kelly,  daughter  of  Robert  W.  Kelly  and  granddaughter  of  the 
distinguished  financier,  Daniel  Drew.  They  have  three  chil- 
ren:  Gertrude,  Robert  R.  and  Louise. 

The  Weeks  Family. — Hon.  Chauncey  R.  Weeks  was  born 
in  Carmel  village  March  12th,  1812,  at  the  hotel  on  property  now 
owned  by  heirs  of  Lewis  Ludington. 

His  father,  Robert  Weeks,  was  a  physician  of  Putnam  county, 
of  whom  a  sketch  is  given  in  this  work,  in  the. chapter  relating 
to  physicians. 

His  grandfather  was  a  Quaker  doctor  and  resided  and 
practiced  in  town  of  Somers,  Westchester  county. 

The  Weeks  family  came  from  Cape  Cod,  Mass.,  but  were  orig- 
inally from  England. 

Chauncey  R.  Weeks  was  educated  at  the  public  schools.  He 
first  learned  the  harness  making  trade  with  James  Raymond. 


TOWN   OP   CARMEL.  411 

In  1833,  taking  a  small  interest  with  Waring,  Tuffs  &  Co.,  in 
the  menagerie  business,  he  travelled  through  the  Eastern  States 
and  Canada.  In  1836,  opened  a  general  store  in  Carmel  village. 
In  1838,  was  employed  on  steamboats  on  the  Hudson  River,  as 
clerk,  by  Daniel  Drew.  In  1840,  again  engaged  in  the  menagerie 
business.^  In  1842,  became  a  partner  with  Raymond  &  Co.,  and 
travelled  through  United  States.  Later  became  a  partner  of  the 
firm  of  Ogden,  Weeks  &  Co.  About  1860,  retired  from  the 
menagerie  business  and  became  a  stockholder  in  the  People's 
Line  of  steamers  on  the  Hudson.  He  was  elected  to  the  State 
Legislature  in  1847  and  again  in  1856.  In  1837,  he  married  Ada 
Raymond,  daughter  of  James  Raymond  of  Carmel  village. 
Their  children  are:  James  R.;  Thomas  R.  and  Edward  C.  (twins); 
Louisa  and  Chauncey  R.,  jr.,  deceased. 

Edward  C.  Weeks,  son  of  Hon.  Chauncey  R.  Weeks,  and 
present  county  clerk  of  Putnam  county,  was  born  in  Carmel  in 
1844.  He  was  ed  ucated  at  Raymond  Collegiate  Institute,  private 
school  at  Croton  Falls,  and  Eastman's  Business  College,  Pough- 
keepsie.  He  has  always  been  an  active  man  of  business  and 
has  held  positions  of  responsibility.  For  a  number  of  years  he 
was  employed  in  the  Croton  River  National  Bank  at  Brewster, 
and  the  First  National  Bank  of  Carmel.  For  four  years  he  was 
in  the  employ  of  Van  Amburgh  &  Co.,  as  treasurer.  Later  he  en- 
gaged and  traveled  with  P.  T.  Barnum  as  ticket  agent.  In  1880, 
he  was  elected  supervisor  of  Carmel  township.  In  1881,  he  was 
elected  county  clerk  of  Putnam  county  and  reelected  in  1884. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  has  been  secretary  of  the  Putnam 
County  Agricultural  Society,  and  in  1885  was  elected  its  presi- 
dent. 

In  1867,  he  married  Josephine  Howes  of  Carmel,  daughter  of 
William  Howes,  and  granddaughter  of  Nathan  Howes,  the 
prominent  representative  of  this  old  and  well-known  Putnam 
county  family. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


TOWN  OF  SOUTHEAST. 


Settlement  and  Early  History. — Early  Records. — Supervisors. — Philipse  Lot  No. 
8. — The  Fowler  Family. — Milltown.— Columbia  Library. — Southeast  Center. 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Southeast  Center. — Doansburg. — I)e  Forest's  Corners. 
— Line  between  Lots  8  and  9. — Presbyterian  Church  at  Doansburg. — Dyke- 
man's  Station. — Baptist  Church  at  Dykeman's  Station. 


SOUTHEAST,  which  is  one  of  the  towns  formed  in  1795, 
from  the  former  towns  of  Fredericks  town  and  Southeast, 
is  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  county  of  Westchester,  on  the 
west  by  the  town  of  Carmel,  on  the  east  by  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, and  on  the  north  by  the  town  of  Patterson. 

The  territory  embraced  in  the  town  consists  of  Lot  No.  9,  of 
Philipse  Patent,  and  the  south  half  of  Lot  No.  8;  also  that  por- 
tion of  the  Oblong  which  extends  from  the  Westchester  line  to 
the  northern  part  of  the  Oblong  Lot  No.  12.  The  length  of 
the  town  from  north  to  south  is  six  miles,  and  from  east  to 
west,  six  miles  and  five  rods.  The  width  of  Lot  9  is  four  and 
one-fifth  miles. 

The  south  boundary  along  the  county  line  west  of  Peach  Pond 
has  always  been  well  defined,  and  a  stone  wall  running  west 
from  that  lake  is  the  originariine  between  Philipee  Patent  and 
the  Manor  of  Cortlandt.  To  the  east  of  Peach  Pond  the 
boundary  on  the  Oblong  was  for  some  time  in  dispute  and,  in 
1803,  an  Act  was  passed  which  recited  tliat  "  Whereas  disputes 
and  difficulties  have  arisen  relative  to  the  northeast  bounds  of 
the  County  of  Westchester,  and  the  southeast  bounds  of  the 
County  of  Dutchess,"  the  supervisors  of  the  towns  of  North 
Salem  and  Southeast  were  required  to  appoint  a  skilled  sur- 
veyor, who  should  commence  at  the  twenty  mile  monument  on 
the  north  line  of  the  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  continue  the  same 
line  eastwardly  to  the  boundary  line  of  Connecticut;  and  it  was 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  413 

provided  that  the  costs  should  be  paid  by  Gilbert  Field,  Com- 
fort Field  and  Nehemiah  Field,  who  were  the  owners  of  the 
land  through  which  the  line  ran.  There  is  a  traditionary  line 
which  is  recognized  as  the  boundary,  but  we  are  not  aware  of 
any  monuments  erected  by  the  provision  of  the  act. 

The  whole  of  Lot  No.9  of  Philipse  Patent,  was  the  property  of 
Roger  Morris  and  Mary  "his  wife,  and  was  confiscated  after  the 
Revolution  and  sold  in  farms  to  various  persons  most  of  whom 
were  already  in  possession  as  tenants.  A  list  of  the  purchasers 
with  the  number  of  acres  sold  to  each,  will  be  found  in  tht; 
chapter  on  the  "  Confiscation  and  Sale  of  the  Shares  of  Philipse 
Patent  belonging  to  Beverly  Robinson  and  Roger  Morris.'' 
The  settlement  of  this  town  began  about  1730,  when  families 
from  Long  Island,  or  from  the  northern  part  of  Westchester 
came  to  this  region.  The  first  settlers  of  whom  there  is  any 
knowledge  was  the  family  of  Samuel  Field,  who  was  the  owner 
of  Lot  5  on  the  Oblong,  at  the  time  of  the  division  in  1732.  His 
daughter,  Jane  Field,  born  in  1733,  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
white  child  born  on  the  Oblong.  The  Townsend  family  prob- 
ably came  about  the  same  time,  as  David  Townsend  was  the 
original  owner  of  Oblong  Lot  No.  6,  and  in  1745,  Elihu  Towns- 
end  (who  was  probably  his  son)  was  living  here  and  in 
1801  he  gave  to  his  five  grandsons,  Abijah,  Elihu,  Samuel,  Abra- 
ham, and  Stephen,  the  sons  of  his  son  Uriah,  certain  lands  in 
Lot  No.  6,  bounded  east  by  the  Connecticut  line.  The  county 
line  runs  through  Lot  6,  and  Elihu  Townsend's  house  was  in 
Westchester  county.  In  1791,  Isaac  Townsend  sold  to  Nehemiah 
Comfort  and  Gilbert  Field  a  tract  of  fourteen  acres,  which  lay 
next  to  the  Connecticut  line.  In  1786,  we  find  a  deed  from 
John  Johnson  to  the  above  named  Nehemiah  Field,  Comfort 
Field,  and  Gilbert  Field,  which  conveys  26  acres  "beginning  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Lot  No.  6,  by  the  Oblong  line,  and  run- 
ning westward  bearing  ten  degrees  north  72  rods,  and  thence 
South  16  rods." 

As  there  is  no  record  of  the  survey  of  the  Oblong  except  the 
map,  the  above  course  of  ten  degrees  north  of  west  may  be 
taken  as  the  direction  of  the  bounds  between  the  Oblong  lots  as 
the  needle  pointed  at  that  date.  The  Fields  and  the  Townsends, 
who  were  thus  the  earliest  settlers,  have  continued  the  owners 
of  land  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county  till  the  present 
time. 


414  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  next  definite  knowledge  of  the  early  settlers  is  in  the 
record  of  the  laying  out  of  i-oads  in  1745,  which  is  found  in  the 
clerk's  office  of  Dutchess  county.  From  this  record  some  idea 
may  be  gained  as  to  the  location  of  early  settlers  in  the  town. 
James  Dickinson,  from  whose  place  several  roads  radiated, 
probably  lived  on  the  south  side  of  Croton  River,  at  South- 
east Center,  and  on  the  farm  afterward  owned  by  Hezekiah 
Sandford,  whose  house  is  still  standing  at  the  intersection  of 
three  roads,  leading  respectively  to  Brewster,  Milltown  and  to 
Westchester  county;  the  latter  being  called  the  "Peach  Pond 
road."  John  Dickinson  had  a  mill  at  Southeast  Center,  where 
the  "Sash  and  Blind  Factory"  of  Isaac  Armstrong  now  is, 
and  that  was  probably  the  iirst  in  town,  except  Joseph  Crane's 
mill  on  the  Oblong.  This  latter  which,  as  "Crane's  Mills," 
was  a  noted  landmark,  was  on  Croton  River  about  half  a  mile 
east  of  the  Oblong  line,  and  the  mill  seat  and  a  large  extent 
of  land  around  it  are  now  owned  by  Stephen  C.  Barnum.  One 
road  is  mentioned  as  running  "  from  Crane's  mills  to  ye  bridge 
by  Jeremiah  Calkins."  This  latter  place  was  at  Milltown, 
where  the  road  crosses  the  river. 

Edward  Gray  was  the  lessee  of  a  farm  at  what  is  now  called 
Doansburg,  and  probably  the  one  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of 
Archibald  Sears. 

Elijah  Tompkins  had  a  farm  toward  the  north  part  of  Doans- 
burg, next  to  the  Oblong  line,  and  James  Paddock  held  a  farm 
which  continued  in  the  possession  of  the  family  for  many 
years,  near  the  line  between  Southeast  and  Patterson.  Nathan 
Bailey  had  a  house  near  Peach  Pond  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  Gen.  James  Ryder,  as  early  as  1745,  and  traces  of  the  old 
road  that  led  to  it  are  yet  visible.  Edward  Hall  had  a  mill  on 
the  Oblong,  probably  at  Milltown,  while  the  names  of  Ciirhellixs 
Fuller,  Joseph  Lee,  "Capt.  Ball,"  William  Bloomer,  "  Capt. 
Wright,"  Samuel  Jones,  Nathaniel  Stevenson,  Joshua  Barnes 
and  Anthony  Batterson  occur  as  being  settled  here  as  early  as 
1755.  David  Paddock  was  the  holder,  as  tenant,  of  a  large 
farm  of  304  acres  next  to  the  Oblong,  and  the  same  was  sold  to 
him  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture,  July  4th,  1782.  This 
farm  lay  at  the  west  end  of  Joe's  Hill,  and  descended  to  his  son, 
David  B.  Paddock,  whose  daughter,  Mary,  married  Moses 
Richards,  whose  son,  David  Belden  Richards,  is  the  present 
owner  of  a  temall  part  of  the  original  farm.     The  old  Paddock 


TOWN   OF    SOUTHEAST.  415 

homestead  was  on  the  north  side  of  Croton  River,  on  the  road 
to  Milltown,  and  the  residence  of  Mr.  Richards  stands  on  the 
site.  Between  this  honse  and  the  residence  of  Stephen  C.  Bar 
num,  the  present  owner  of  "  Crane's  Mills,"  runs  a  line  of  board 
fence  which  is  continued  south  of  the  road  to  the  Croton  River. 
North  of  the  road  the  board  fence  continues  to  the  north,  to  a 
stone  wall  which  runs  still  farther  on.  This  line  of  fence  and 
wall  is  the  original  Oblong  line,  and  at  the  end  of  the  stone 
wall  (which  terminates  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  the 
road)  is  the  place  where  the  "8  mile  monument"  stood.  This 
monument,  which  marks  the  distance  of  eight  miles  from  the 
angle  in  the  Oblong  line  in  Westchester  county,  is  thus  de- 
scribed in  the  original  survey  : 

"At  the  distance  of  eight  miles  as  aforesaid,  we  set  up  a 
stake  and  heaped  some  stones  round  it  for  a  monument,  being 
between  two  rocky  hills,  about  four  rods  from  the  eastermost  of 
them,  and  marked  some  trees  on  each  side  of  said  monument 
in  a  nearly  north  12  degrees  30  minutes.  East  Course." 

The  "  two  rocky  hills  "  still  remain  and  are  likely  to  do  so. 
At  a  distance  of  four  rods  to  the  east  of  the  site  of  the  monu- 
ment, is  a  high  ledge  of  rocks  very  precipitous  and  broken,  on 
the  south  side,  while  about  one  rod  southwest  of  the  site  is  a 
large  flat  rock  which  presents  a  circular  outline  on  its  east  side, 
and  these  will  doubtless  serve  to  fix  the  site  for  years  to  come. 

To  the  south  of  the  Paddock  farm,  and  bounded  east  by  the 
Oblong,  was  the  farm  of  Col.  Jonathan  Crane,  a  prominent  of- 
ficer in  the  days  of  the  Revolution,  and  this  farm  of  118  acres 
was  sold  to  him  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  in  1782, 
though  the  family  as  tenants  of  Roger  Morris  had  held  it  for  a 
time.  He  left  it  to  his  son,  Anson  Crane,  and  his  heirs  sold  it 
to  William  Storm,  December  1st,  1866,  and  he  in  turn  sold  it  to 
George  C.  White,  and  he  to  Ruth  R.  Kennedy,  and  the  whole 
farm,  or  the  greater  part  of  it,  came  into  the  possession  of  John 
P.  Kennedy,  of  New  York,  in  1879.  He  sold  it  in  1884,  to 
George  N.  Messiter,  and  he  transferred  it  to  Charles  C.  Fitz- 
hugh,  its  present  owner.  This  farm,  known  in  modern  times 
as  "  Pairview  Manor,"  is  one  of  the  historic  places  of  the 
county. 

The  "  Crane's  Mills  "  were  owned  for  many  years  by  Samuel 
Hall  and  afterward  by  his  son  Nathaniel,  and  in  1836  they  were 
sold  by  Jacob  0.  Howes  to  Egbert  and  William  Bo u ton.    In  this 


416  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

deed  the  premises  are  described  as  "  beginning  at  the  east  abut- 
ment of  the  bridge  that  crosses  the  river  near  the  dwelling  house 
of  William  C.  Trowbridge  and  running  along  the  south  bank  of 
the  river  west  to  lands  of  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  and  crossing  the 
river  and  the  highway,  runs  northward  along  the  land  of  David 
Belden  B,ichards  to  the  eight  mile  monument,  and  then  east  by 
the  land  of  Kobert  Brown  to  the  place  of  beginning  containing 
50  acres,  with  the  grist  and  saw  mills."  It  is  probable  that  the 
north  line  here  mentioned  as  running  east  from  the  eight  mile 
monument,  is  the  original  line  betweeen  Lot  9  on  the  Oblong 
and  the  tract  of  William  Smith  and  James  Brown  next  south. 
The  mills  and  land  above  described  vv^ere  sold  by  William  Bouton 
to  Dr.  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  in  1837,  and  they  are  now  the  prop- 
erty of  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  who  inherited  them  from  his  father, 
Joshua  Barnum.  The  new  reservoir  will  obliterate  the  ancient 
landmark. 

By  the  lire  that  consumed  the  town  hall  at  Brewster  all  of  the 
early  records  of  the  town  w^ere  burned,  and  the  following  is  all 
that  is  left  of  the  early  chronicles: 

"At  a  town  meeting  held  at  the  South  Precinct,  in  Dutchess 
county,  6th  day  of  April,  1773:  John  Ryder,  was  chosen  Mod- 
erator; Isaac  Elwell,  Clerk;  Chosen,  Joseph  Crane,  Jr.,  Super- 
visor;_  Was  chosen,  John  Field,  Assessor;  Was  chosen,  Samuel 
Bangs,  Assessor;  Was  chosen,  Peter  Hall,  Collector;  Was 
chosen,  Thomas  Trowbridge,  Constable;  Mark  Gfage,  Constable; 
Joseph  Hull,  Poor-master;  Zebedee  Briggsand  Daniel  Haviland, 
Poor-masters;  Thomas  Baldwin,  Oliver  Hecock  and  Seth  Nick- 
erson,  Commissioners  for  the  highways;  Benjamin  Sears,  Pound 
keeper;  Daniel  Haviland,  Pound  keeper;  Nathan  Green,  Jr., 
Fence  viewer;  Wm.  Stone,  Fence  viewer;  Uriah  Townsend, 
Highway  master  No.  1;  Peter  Hall,  Path  master  No.  2;  Nathan 
Green,  Path  master  No.  3;  Wm.  Penney,  Jr.,  Path  master  No. 
4;  Harvey  Hopkins,  Path  master  No.  5;  Zebedee  Briggs,  Path 
master  No.  6;  Nathaniel  Foster,  Path  master  No.  7." 

'Dec.  ye  2nd  day,  1776,  at  a  town  meeting  held  in  Southeast 
Precinct:  1  Was  chosen  Deacon  Foster  for  County  Committee; 
2  Was  chosen  Col.  John  Field;  3  Was  chosen  Beuaijah  Tubbs; 
4  was  chosen  for  sub  committee,  S.  Squires,  Homer  Baldwin, 
Simeon  Rider,  Isaac  Crosby,  Benj.  Higgins,  Zachariah  Hinman, 
George  Birch,  Capt.  Joshua  Barnum,  Ebenezer  Gage,  Azor 
Barnum." 


TOWN    OP   SOUTHEAST.  417 

At  a  meeting  May  27th,  1777,  it  was  voted  that  Nathaniel 
Foster,  William  Mott  and  Lemuel  Bangs  "be  the  three  mem- 
bers to  represent  this  Precinct,  in  general  committee,  and  that 
Thomas  Baldwin,  Peter  Hall,  Simeon  Rider,  Joseph  Field 
Jonathan  Crane,  Silas  Youngs,  Seth  Sears,  George  Birch,  Zach- 
ariah  Hinman,  be  the  sub-committee  for  the  Precinct." 

At  a  meeting  held  April  3d,  1788,  the  persons  present  unani- 
mously voted  to  adopt  the  Federal  Constitution. 

Births  in  Southeast. — Mercy  Clinton,  August  3lst,  1766;  Phebe 
Clinton,  May  24th,  1768;  Esther  Clinton,  May  24th,  1770;  Jesse 
Clinton,  July  21st,  1772;  Joshua  Hinkley,  March  11th,  1775; 
Elkanah  Hinkley,  July  19th,  1759. 

"  Benjamin  Townsels  ear  mark  is  a  crop  on  the  right  ear  and 
a  nick  under  it,  and  a  half  penny  under  side  of  the  left  ear." 

"  Isaac  Elwell's  ear  mark  is  a  crop  on  the  left  with  a  hole  in 
the  same  and  a  nick  under  the  same." 

"  Samuel  Elwell,  Jr.,  ear  mark  is  a  crop  of  the  left  and  a  hole 
in  the  rite." 

As  cattle  ran  at  large  an  ear  mark  was  necessary  to  distinguish 
them. 

The  following  which  speaks  for  itself,  is  well  worthy  of  a 
place  in  history: 

"  To  all  persons  unto  whomsoever  these  Presents  shall  come 
greeting,  know  ye  that  I  Samuel  Field  of  Oblong,  in  the  County 
of  Dutchess  and  Province  of  New  York,  For  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  free  rights  and  liberties  of  all  mankind  and  conceiv- 
ing it  unlawful  for  a  Christian  to  hold  any  of  his  fellow  creatures 
in  bondage  for  term  of  life:  Do  hereby  from  and  after  the 
thirteenth  day  of  the  fifth  month  called  May  which  shall 
happen  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1780,  give  unto  my  Mulatto  man 
bred  by  me  known  by  the  name  of  Philip  his  full  freedom,  to 
act  &  do  in  business  for  himself  as  of  his  own  proper  right  as  a 
free  man  And  to  be  free  from  all  manner  of  claims  or  command 
in  any  kind  of  service  whatsoever,  either  by  me  my  heirs 
executors  administrators  or  assigns  forever. 

"  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and   seal 

this  tenth  day  of  the  second  month  called  February  in  the  year 

of  our  Lord  1776. 

"  Samuel  Field. 

"  In  presence  of 

"Peter  Field, 
"Abel  Close." 

27 


418  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

That  the  precinct  was  not  entirely  free  from  evil  doers,  even 
in  those  days  of  innocence,  is  evidenced  by  the  following: 

"At  a  town  meeting  held  6th  day  of  April,  1779,  it  was  voted 
that  Jabez  Elwell  make  a  pair  of  Stocks  upon  the  cost  of  this 
Precinct." 

The  house  where  Samuel  Field  lived  is  still  standing  near 
Peach  Pond,  and  is  probably  the  oldest  house  in  Putnam 
county. 

SuPKRVisoKs  OF  Southeast: — 1787-89,  Joseph  Crane.     1790- 
99,  Joseph  Crane,  jr.      1800-03,  Joseph  C.  Field.      1812,  1813, 
Enoch  Crosby.     1814,   Peter  Waring.     1815,    Jonathan   More- 
•  house.     1816,    Joshua   Barnum.      1817,   Jonathan  Morehouse. 
1820,  James  Hine.     1821,  Hezekiah  Sanford.      1822  31,  1835-36, 
Hart  Weed.      1837,    Stephen  Warren.     1838,    Ephraim  Gage. 
1839,  Keuben  D.  Barnum.    1840,  1841,  Nathan  A.  Howes.  1842, 
John  Crawford.     1843,  Ebenezer  Foster.     1844,  Thomas  Drew. 
1845,  James  Sherwood.     1846-48,  Hart  Weed.     1849,  1850,  Na- 
than A.  Howes.     1851,  1852,  Tho.  Crosby.     1853,  Isaac   Kelly. 
1854,  Wm.   H.  Crosby.     1855,  1856,  Morgan  Horton.     1857-59, 
Daniel  Baker.     1860,   1861,   Morgan  Horton.     1862-71,  Charles 
W.  Budd.     1871-73,  Daniel  Baker.     1874, 1875,  Stephen  Baker. 
L876,  Theodore  Kelly.     1877-79,  Daniel  Baker.     1880,  Theodore 
Kelly.     1881-85,  Elbert  C.  Howes.     1886,  John  S.  Eno. 

The  northern  portion  of  this  town  is  embraced  in  Lot  8  of  the 
Philipse  Patent,  which  originally  belonged  to  Philip  Philipse, 
and  after  his  death  to  his  wife  Margaret  and  his  children.  Mrs. 
Philipse  married  for  her  second  husband.  Rev.  John  Ogilvie, 
and  hence  most  of  the  deeds  and  leases  given  during  the  last 
century  were  given  by  Margaret  Ogilvie.  The  list  of  her  tenants 
furnishes  the  best  information  that  can  be  obtained  of  the  names 
of  the  early  settlers.  After  the  death  of.  Mrs.  Ogilvie,  her  son, 
Frederick  Philipse,  became  the  sole  owner,  and  in  1810  a  new 
survey  of  the  farms  was  made  by  John  Conklin,  a  prominent 
surveyor,  and  in  old  deeds  the  boundaries  are  frequently  al- 
luded to  as  "given  in  Conklin' s  Field  book."  Most  of  these 
farms  were  held  by  lease  until  1811,  and  after  that  the  Philipse 
family  began  to  sell  the  farms,  and  the  deeds  given  by  Fred- 
erick Philipse  and  his  daughter,  Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Gouver- 
neur,  would  make  a  volume  of  themselves. 

Tenants  on  Lot  No.  8  in  possession  at  the  time  the  farms 
were  surveyed  in  1754:    "  Wm.  Rapelyea,  Reuben  Rapelyea, 


TOWN   OF  SOUTHEAST.  419 

Elisha  Baker,  Elisha  Kellock,  Ebenezer  Chase,  Jo.  Baker 
&  Ebenr.  Burgis,  Bethuel  Baker,  Nath.  Astin,  David  Astin, 
Joshua  Hinkley,  Lazarus  Griffin,  Jacob  Ellis,  Edw.  Rice,  Edm. 
Baker,  Josiah  Baker,  John  Finch,  Dan.  Townsend,  jr.,  Moses 
Fowler,  Peter  Robinson,  Caleb  Fowler,  John  Kelley,  Simeon 
Ellis,  Gideon  Ellis,  Ebenezer  King,  Jonathan  Kelley,  Eluathan 
Doane  and  son,  Charles  Townsend,  Saml.  Bangs,  Abner  Bangs, 
Wm.  Penney,  Eleazar  Cole,  Ebenezer  Jones,  Jacob  Philips, 
Nehemiah  Jones,  Joseph  Craw,  Nathan  Taylor,  Silvanus  Cole, 
Isaac  Chapman,  Elijah  Tompkins,  David  and  Joseph  Crosby, 
Reuben  Crosby,  Israel  Cole,  Tho.  &  Jonathan  Paddock,  Jos. 
Vickery  &  Co.,  Joseph  Taylor,  Jon.  Godfrey  &  Richard  Gray, 
Moss  Kent,  Oliver  Gray,  Elijah  White,  George  Hepburn." 

The  tenants  in  possession  May  1st,  1768,  were:  "James  Hugh- 
son,  Joshua  Conklin,  Benj.  Green,  Tho.  Lovelass  &  Josiah  Ben- 
jamin, Malcom  Morrison,  Morrison  Rice  &  Benj.  Titus,  Bethuel 
Baker,  Abm.  May  bee,  Tho.  Hinkley,  Josiah  Baker,  Gillson 
Clap,  Edw.  Rice,  Edm.  Baker,  Josiah  Baker,  Gillson  Clap, 
John  Burcham,  Moses  Fowler,  Parish,  Caleb  Fowler,  John 
Kelley,  Simeon  Ellis,  Malcom  Morrison,  Edmond  Baker, 
Jonathan  Kelley,  Charles  Townsend,  Haws  &  Wm.  Judd,  David 
Crosby  &  Elisha  Bangs,  Wm.  Penney,  Jo.  Garrison  &  Jo.  Vick- 
ery, Ebenezer  Jones,  Jacob  Philips,  Nehemiah  Jones  &  Theoph. 
Jones,  Joseph  Philips,  Josiah  Swift,  Silvanus  Cole,  Capt. 
Fleming  Calgan,  Elijah  Tompkins,  David  &  Joseph  Crosby, 
Reuben  Crosby,  Israel  Cole,  Tho.  &  Jonathan  Paddock,  Jona 
Vickery  &  Moss  Kent,  Joseph  Taylor,  Ezekiel  Burgis,  Moss 
Kent,  Zebulon  Bass,  Elijah  White." 

The  above  is  from  a  list  made  by  Beverly  Robinson  and  now 
among  the  Philipse  papers.  In  1810,  a  new  survey  of  the  lot 
was  made  by  John  Conklin,  the  field  book  of  which  is  among 
the  Philipse  papers. 

List  of  Farms  on  Lot  No.  8  (1810):— John  Sunderland,  112 
acres;  Elisha  Merritt,  102;  John  Sunderland,  25;  Peleg  Ballard, 
120;  Peleg  Ballard,  13;  Jehiel  Stevens,  68;  Gilbert  Merritt,  5; 
Elisha  Merritt,  5;  Moses  C.  Robinson,  108;  Enoch  €rosby,  2d, 
22;  Major  Fowler,  ;  Abijah  Townsend,  155;  Amos  Rogers, 

south  lot,  10;  Amos  Rogers,  home  lot,  102;  Amos  Rogers,  west 
lot,  37;  Salome  Wood,  95;  Edward  Fowler,  133;  Daniel  Gay, 
35;  Samuel  Pardee,  17;  Grace  Kelly,  105;  Hezekiah  Rowland, 
14;  Lewis  Rogers,  50;  Peter  and  Daniel  Kent  (mountains)  20; 


420  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTT.     ' 

Thomas  Terry,  162;  Ira  Roberts,  87;  Peleg  Ballard,  south  wood 
lot,  7;  Gilbert  Merrltt,  89;  Ephraim  Whiting,  43;  Neheraiah 
Gifford,  60;  Elisha  Giflford,  212;  Silas  Whitney,  90;  Abijah 
Townsend,  wood  lot,  4;  Peter  Dykman,  73;  Daniel  Baldwin,  91; 
Ezra  Dykman,  61;  Joseph  Dykman,  57;  Levi  Baker,  110;  Sam- 
uel Adkins,  1;  Isaac  W.  Travis,  6;  Philip  W.  Travis,  125;  Heze- 
kiah  Dykman,  156;  Enoch  Ferris,  52;  Edmond  Doan,  B2;  John 
Snow,  7;  Jacob  Ellis,  37;  Peter  Crosby,  17;  Jonathan  Smith, 
18;  Jonathan  Smith,  3;  Stephen  Minor,  10;  Samuel  Towner,  3; 
Henry  Nichols,  31;  Ezra  Dykman,  east  lot,  8;  John  Snow, 
swamp,  5;  Peter  Crosby,  Mountain  lot,  17;  Ferris  Hill,  86;  Abra- 
ham Hill,  110;  Edward  Rice,  7;  Benjamin  Dykman,  10;  Elisha 
Hebbard,  4;  Jonathan  Godfrey,  8;  Samuel  Pardee,  22;  Reuben 
Doane,  73;  Thomas  B.  Sears,  12;  George  Murch,  1;  Desire  Murch, 
3;]N'oahBouton,  14;  Peter  Crosby,  61;  JaredBouton,  6;  Nathaniel 
Hebbard,  1;  Samuel  Waring,  72;  Peter  Waring,  93;  Stephen 
Minor,  f ;  Archibald  Sears,  110;  Robert  Penny,  51;  Ezra  Youngs, 
3;  Jonathan  Godfrey,  1;  burying  ground,  2;  Levi  Rowland,  ; 
James  Foster,  119;  Henry  Hoyt,  52;  Enoch  Crosby,  72;  Abra- 
ham Mabie,86;  Abiel  Crosby,  121;  JohnHows,42;  William  Snow, 
52;  Jared  Morehouse,  196;  John  Snow,  47;  Hezekiah  Rowland, 
16;  Abraham  Hyatt,  2;  Edmond  Foster  and  Stephen  Crosby,  1; 
Dr.  Daniel  Read,  5;  John  Raymond,  8;  John  Raymond,  home 
lot,  84;  John  Lawrence,  46;  Abijah  Seeley,  18;  Edward  Crosby, 
105;  William  Burhaus,  96;  James  Crosby,  149;  Elijah  Penny, 
97;  John  Snow,  |;  Abijah  Seeley,  8;  Charles  and  James  Hines, 
79;  William  Burhaus,  swamp  lot,  4;  Samuel  Lawrence,  12; 
Michael  Bournes.  221;  Peter  Terry,  16;  Stephen  Fowler,  128; 
John  Robinson,  2;  Daniel  Gray,  14;  Benjamin  Dykman,  21; 
Benjamin  Cowls,  6;  Solomon  Fowler,  17;  Samuel  Lane,  48;  Ben- 
jamin Sills,  66;  John  Kellys,  22. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  Tilly  Foster  Mine  was  probably  one  of 
the  earliest  settlements  in  that  portion  of  the  town.  In  the  sur- 
vey and  division  of  the  Philipse  Patent  in  1754,  the  west  corner 
of  Lots  8  and  9  was  said  to  be  "a  walnut  tree  marked  P.  R, 
1753,  standing  on  the  south  side  of  a  hill  near  an  old  meeting 
house."  The  old  log  church  in  which  Elisha  Kent  first  preached, 
and  which  stood  on  the  farm  of  James  Barnes,  near  Dykeman's 
Station,  is  known  to  have  been  standing  in  1745,  and  for  that 
reason  has  been  called  the  oldest  church  in  the  county;  but  it  is 
no  stretch  of   imagination  to  suppose   that  a  meeting  house 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  421 

which  was  "old"  in  1754  must  have  dated  back  at  least  as  far 
as  the  date  given  above.  The  probability  is  that  the  two 
churches  were  contemporaneous.  The  people  from  the  Oblong 
and  the  northern  part  of  Fredericksburg  attended  the  one, 
while  the  inhabitants  of  the  southern  portion  and  from  the  ad- 
joining region,  attended  the  other.  This  meeting  house  stood 
near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Jacob  Ellis  farm,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road  and  directly  opposite  the  old  burying  ground. 
This  little  cemetery,  originally  small,  has  been  made  still 
smaller  by  encroachments  on  its  northern  part  by  the  owner  of 
the  adjoining  land.  Here  are  the  graves  of  the  oldest  residents 
of  the  vicinity,  though  few  are  marked  with  any  monument. 
The  oldest  tombstone  bears  the  following: 

"In  Memory  op  Mr.  Peter  Hartwell. 
He  died  Dec.  13  a.  d.  1760,  ae  48. 

"  How  soon  his  Morning  Sun 
Falls  down  the  western  Sky, 
My  Friends,  let  us  be  wise 
And  now  prepare  to  die." 

By  the  side  of  this  is  the  grave  of  his  wife,  the  headstone 
having  this  inscription: 

"In  memory  op  Mrs.  Mary,  wipe  to  Mr.  Peter  Hartwell. 

She  died  July  15  a.  d.  1758  ae  41. 

"Beneath  this  Humble  Stone 
In  Death's  cold  arms  to  lie, 
Mouldering  to  dust,  Death  calls  aloud, 
O,  Friends,  prepare  to  die." 

With  the  single  exception  of  the  gravestone  of  the  wife  of 
Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  at  Doansburg,  these  are  the  oldest  in  the 
county.  The  following  dates  are  taken  from  the  few  rude  monu- 
ments remaining:  Daniel  Gay,  June  20th,  aged  68;  Sarah,  his 
wife,  October  22d,  1847,  aged  93;  Josiah  Ellis,  August  18th, 
1842,  aged  75;  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  November  SOth,  1835,  aged 
65;  Jacob,  son  of  Josiah  Ellis,  November  2()th,  1829,  34. 

"  In  Memory  of  Joseph  C.  Wright.  Wesleyan  local  preacher, 
born  in  Collington,  Cornwall  Co.  England,  March  3rd,  1846, 
died  Jan.  25th,  1872.  He  brought  me  to  his  banqueting  house 
and  his  banner  over  me  was  love." 

This  last  marks  the  grave  of  one  whose  brief  life  was  full  of 
usefulness,  and  his  labors  among  the  miners  at  Tilly  Foster  are 
worthy  of  fond  remembrance. 


422  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

In  an  orchard  to  the  north  of  this  burying  ground,  are  three 
tombstones,  which  mark  respectively  the  graves  of  Heman 
King,  who  died  January  21st,  1812,  aged  85;  Elizabeth,  his  wife, 
August  30th,  1811,  81;  and  Jeduthan  King,  their  son,  August. 
6th,  1789,  aged  21. 

The  Ellis  farm  was  divided  among  the  three  sons  of  Jacob 
Ellis;  Josiah,  Ebenezer  and  Benjamin.  The  north  part  with  the 
old  homestead  fell  to  Josiah,  Benjamin  had  39  acres  at  the 
southeast  corner,  and  Ebenezer  had  his  portion  on  the  west  side. 
Benjamin  sold  his  part  to  Stephen  Haines,  who  conveyed  it  to 
Phebe  Fowler  and  Susannah  Fowler,  April  2d,  1823.  These 
were  maiden  ladies  of  advanced  age,  daughters  of  Caleb  Fowler, 
and  from  them  it  derived  the  name  of  the  "Old  Girls'  Farm," 
a  name  which  it  still  retains.  William  Fowler,  the  executor  of 
the  Misses  Fowler,  sold  it  to  Horace  D.  Townsend  in  1848,  and 
it  now  belongs  to  the  Tilly  Foster  Mine.  The  old  house  of 
Jacob  Ellis  stood  at  the  north  end  of  the  farm  and  on  the  east 
side  of  the  road.  The  house  built  by  his  son,  Josiah,  still 
stands,  though  dilapidated  and  uninhabited,  on  the  west  side 
of  the  road,  just  north  of  the  highway  that  runs  to  the  reservoir. 
The  Ellis  farm  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  farm  of  Enoch 
Crosby,  whose  fame  as  the  original  of  "Harvey  Birch,"  the 
hero  of  Cooper's  "  Spy,"  has  given  it  a  deathless  name. 

At  the  north  end  of  the  Ellis  farm  is  the  division  between 
Lots  9  and  8.  All  the  land  to  the  north  derives  its  title  from 
Philip  Philipse,  his  widow,  Margaret  Ogilvie,  and  his  son,  Fred- 
erick. Here,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  road,  is  an  old 
house  of  Revolutionary  times.  This  was  in  former  days  the 
home  of  Samuel  Pardee,  who  was  a  soldier  during  the  Revolu- 
tion and  a  blacksmith  afterward,  his  shop  standing  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road,  opposite  the  house.  He  had  a  small  farm  of 
29  acres  in  the  southwest  corner  of  Lot  8,  which  he  bought  of 
Frederick  Philipse.  The  house  and  farm  and  also  that  portion 
of  the  Ellis  farm  which  lies  west  of  the  road  now  belong  to 
Elijah  Fowler.  After  a  long  life  of  usefulness,  Samuel  Pardee 
died  April  14th,  1847,  at  the  age  of  87.  His  wife,  Abigail,  died 
June  24th,  1825,  aged  64,  and  both  rest  in  an  orchard  on  the 
south  side  of  the  road  to  Carmel,  by  the  house  of  LeGrand 
Hughson. 

To  the  east  of  the  old  Pardee  house  and  just  west  of  the  res- 
ervoir stands  another  old  house,  which  was  once  the  residence 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST. 


423 


of  Major  Fowler,  and  probably  of  his  father,  Caleb  Fowler,  be- 
fore him.  The  Fowler  family  were  tenants  of  large  farms  in 
this  vicinity,  and  Moses  Fowler's  farm  and  homestead  was  where 
his  grandson,  Elijah  Fowler,  now  lives.  The  Fowler  family 
''-''A'!'\'  I  ».c*  -^      ,o-^'-^f.        I  '    I  are  descended  from 

two  brothers,  Moses 
and  Caleb  Fowler, 
who  came  from  a 
place  called  "  Saw- 
pits,"  now  Port- 
chester,  West- 
chester county. 
Moses  Fowler  was 
born  in  1729,  and 
died  September  1st, 
1821,  aged  92.  He 
married  Mary  Brundage,  who   died  in   1815.      Their  children 

■Bailey;  Jane,  wife  of  John  Strang; 


were:  Hannah,  wife  of  — 
Phebe,  wife  of  James  Colwell;  William,  born  January  15th, 
1761,  died  April  12th,  1842;  Betsy,  2d  wife  of  David  Reed; 
Moses,  born  April  12th,  1765;  Solomon,  born  June  7th,  1767; 
Jonathan,  born  September  11th,  1769;  John,  born  December 
4th,  1771;  Mary,  wife  of  David  Myrrick;  Elijah,  born  August 
10th,  1776,  died  December  5th,  1825;  and  George,  born  Sep- 
tember 12th,  1779. 

Of  these  sons,  Solomon  left  sons.  Deacon  William,  of  Patter- 
son, John  and  Moses.  William  had  children,  Daniel  (who  died 
October  15th,  1826,  aged  26)  and  Clarissa,  wife  of  Amos  Fuller. 

John  moved  to  West  Somers,  and  George  lived  in  Peekskill 
Hollow. 

Elijah  Fowler  married  Polly,  daughter  of  Thomas  Fields. 
He  left  children:  Mary,  Susan  and  Elijah.  The  last,  who  is 
now  living  on  the  old  homestead  of  his  father  and  grandfather, 
married  Susan,  daugther  of  Isaac  Hall,  and  his  children  are 
Carrie,  George,  James,  Jennie,  and  Fannie,  wife  of  Le  Grand 
Hugh  son. 

Caleb  Fowler,  brother  of  Moses,  died  August  6th,  1805,  aged 
72.  He  had  a  wife,  Eliza,  and  children,  Susan  and  Phebe,  who 
both  died  unmarried;  and  Major. 

Major  Fowler  married   Patty,  daughter  of  William  Watts, 


424  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

leaving  children:  John,  James,  Robert,   Benjamin,  Semanthe, 

wife  of   Brunson,   and  Eliza,   wife  of Gregory.     Major 

Fowler  lived  in  the  old  house  now  standing  on  the  north  side 
of  the  road  and  just  west  of  the  reservoir.  The  farms  on  the 
southwest  part  of  Lot  8  were  sold  to  Moses  and  Caleb  Fowler 
by  Adolph  Philipse  about  1780. 

Among  the  deeds  recorded  in  Dutchess  county  we  find  the 
following,  which  relate  to  lands  in  this  town: 

John  Ogilvie  and  wife  Margaret  sell  to  Thomas  and  Joseph 
Paddock  "Farm  43,  on  the  plan  of  the  East  middle  Short  Lot 
(Lot  8)  Beginning  at  a  white  oak  stump,  at  the  Southwest  cor- 
ner of  Reuben  Crosby's  farm,  thence  South  88  chains,  thence 
North  87  degrees.  East  45  chains  to  the  Oblong.  Then  by  the 
Oblong  North  11  degrees  East,  107  chains,  then  S.  73^  W.  66 
chains  50 links  to  the  beginning  containing  483  acres."  March 
8th,  1770. 

This  tract  embraced  the  land  lying  north  of  Doansburg,  and 
part  of  it  was  afterward  sold  to  the  Doane  family. 

John  Ogilvie  and  wife,  Margarei,  sell  to  Caleb  Fowler  "  Farm 
20  on  Lot  8,  Bounded  South  by  Col.  Morris  Lot  No.  9,  West  by 
Moses  Fowler  and  Jonathan  Paddock,  East  by  farm  24,  North 
by  Farms  23,  21  7,"  price  £585.  Caleb  Fowler  sold  this  farm  to 
his  son.  Major  Fowler,  April  1st,  1790.  This  farm  lies  north  of 
the  bridge  over  the  reservoir  at  Tilly  Foster  Mines.  The  old 
house  of  Major  Fowler  is  still  standing,  north  of  the  road,  and 
is  now  owned  by  Elijah  Fowler. 

Margaret  Ogilvie  sells  to  Reuben  Ferris  "140  acres  in 
Philipse  Long  Lot  (No.  6)  on  the  east  side  of  the  Lot,  and  run- 
ning west  to  Mill  river  140  acres,  being  the  north  part  of  the 
farm  on  which  Reuben  Ferris  now  lives."     May  17th,  1791. 

This  is  the  farm  and  homestead  now  owned  by  Samuel  Ferris 
(grandson  of  Reuben)  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  which  runs 
to  Drewville  from  the  highway  leading  from  Carmel  to  Croton 
Falls.  This  tract  is  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  and  is  bounded  east 
by  the  original  line  between  Lots  6  and  9.  The  original  deed  is 
now  in  possession  of  Samuel  Ferris,  and  is  curious  from  the 
fact  that  it  was  written  by  Chancellor  James  Kent,  when  a 
young  man,  and  is  signed  by  him  as  a  witness. 

North  of  the  Elijah  Fowler  farm  is  the  homestead  and  farm 
of  Theodore  Kelley,  formerly  supervisor  of  the  town.  This  farm 
was  in  1754  leased  from  Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie,  by  Daniel  Town- 


TOWN    OF    SOUTHEAST.  425 

send,  jr.  A  part  of  it  was  afterward  held  by  John  Burcham, 
and  on  the  Croton  River  close  by  are  the  remains  of  a  mill  which 
stood  here  during  the  Revolution  and  was  a  mill  seat  many 
years  before.  " Burcham' s  mill"  is  laid  down  onErskine's 
military  map,  as  a  well  known  landmark  in  1780. 

An  encampment  of  American  troops  was  near  this  place  in 
the  Revolution. 

MiLLTOWN. — This  is  the  name  of  a  locality  on  the  Croton 
River  near  the  middle  of  the  Oblong.  It  is  probable  that  at 
this  place  was  "Morehouse's  Mill,"  which  is  mentioned  in  the 
laying  out  of  highways  in  1745.  At  the  beginning  of  the  pres- 
ent century  the  mill  seat  was  owned  by  William  Crawford,  and 
was  left  by  him  to  his  son  John,  who,  having  no  children, 
adopted  Henry  Barnum  and  left  it  to  him.  It  is  now  owned  by 
Mr.  J.  W.  Boyce.  At  the  corner  where  the  four  roads  cross 
were  the  residences  of  several  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the 
town  in  former  days.  On  the  northwest  corner  was  the 
house  of  Capt.  Ichabod  Doolittle,  who  kept  a  tavern  there 
in  early  days,  which  was  a  great  resort  for  travellers  on 
the  road  to  Danbury.  On  the  northeast  corner  was  the 
house  of  Ithamar  Weed  and  directly  opposite  and  east  of 
the  school  house  was  the  home  of  his  son  Hart  Weed,  who 
was  for  a  long  number  of  years  supervisor  of  the  town.  The 
residence  of  Daniel  Sears  was  the  old  homestead  of  William 
Crawford.  A  short  distance  to  the  east,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  road,  is  the  old  house  once  the  residence  of  Dr.  Joseph 
Crane,  who  was  well  known  as  a  physician  for  a  wide  circuit 
round.  He  left  it  to  his  son,  Carso  Crane,  who  sold  it  to  Harvey 
Crosby,  and  it  is  now  owned  by  Greorge  Sears.  Previous  to  the 
Revolution  there  was  a  mill  here  owned  by  a  man  named  Ryder, 
and  it  was  known  as  "  Ryder's  Mills,"  but  nothing  is  known 
of  its  transfer.  In  1773  Charles  Cullen,  who  married  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  had  a  house  and  store  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  road  on  the  i)lace  where  Ichabod  Doo- 
little's  tavern  afterward  stood. 

Among  the  early  settlers  here  were  the  Hall  family.  The  an- 
cestor of  this  family  was  Peter  Hall,  who  came  from  Cape  Cod. 
He  was  born  May  9th,  1715,  and  died  about  1782.  His  wife,  Abi- 
gail, was  horn  in  Xovember,1712.  Their  children  were:  Elizabeth, 
wife  of  Nathan  Green;  Mary,  wife  of  Benjamin  Sears;  Morton, 


426  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUXTY. 

who  died  February  27th,  1818,  aged  75  and  left  no  descendants; 
Bathsheba,  wife  of  James  Foster;  Peter,  who  left  no  family;  and 
David,  born  January  12th,  ]756,  and  died  November  17th,  1830. 
He  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  John  Roberts.  Their  children 
were:  Patience;  Peter,  born  July  1st,  1795  ;  John,  who  married 
Harriet  Northrop  and  had  children  David  and  John;  Betsy, 
Abigail,  Lydia  and  Amanda.  Peter  Hall,  the  original  settler, 
came  to  this  place  in  1749,  and  settled  on  the  Oblong,  on  the 
south  tract,  that  in  the  original  division  fell  to  William  Smith 
and  James  Brown.  From  the  original  deeds  now  in  possession 
of  Peter  Hall  it  is  learned  that  on  July  12th,  1775,  "  Wm.  Smith, 
Esq.  of  New  York,  and  James  Brown,  Esq.,  of  Norwalk,"  sold 
to  Isaac  Howes  a  tract  of  155  acres.  Isaac  Howes  by  deed,  June 
26th,  1764,  sold  the  same  to  Peter  Hall  for  £120,  and  it  is  des- 
cribed as  "Situated  and  being  within  the  tract  called  the  Ob- 
long, and  now  in  the  possession  of  the  said  Peter  Hall  and 
bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Colony  line."  This  farm,  which  is 
now  the  homestead  of  his  grandson,  Peter  Hall,  is  situated  on 
the  north  side  of  Federal  Hill,  and  the  road  from  Milltown  to 
Danbury  runs  through  it.  The  fence  on  the  south  side  of  the 
road  has  been  from  the  earliest  times  the  dividing  line  between 
this  farm  and  the  owner  of  land  in  the  adjoining  State  of  Con- 
necticut, and  is  doubtless  the  original  "Colony  line,!'  though 
the  new  monument  on  the  State  line  is  a  rod  or  so  to  the  west. 
This  point  where  the  road  crosses  the  State  line  is  605  chains, or 
7  miles  and  45  chains  from  the  angle  in  the  east  Oblong  line  in 
Westchester  county.  On  the  top  of  the  hill  or  mountain  to  the 
south  is  a  heap  of  stones  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  original 
monuments  made  in  the  survej^  of  the  Oblong.  The  farm  was 
increased  in  1768,  by  the  purchase  of  100  acres  from  Isaac 
Crosby,  and  by  various  additions  it  now  exceeds  300  acres.  The 
original  house  built  by  Peter  Hall  is  said  to  have  stood  on  the 
south  side  of  the  road  close  to  the  State  line.  Peter  Hall,  his 
grandson,  who  is  now  living  on  the  farm,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
90,  is  the  oldest  resident  in  the  vicinity.  The  deed  from  Wil- 
liam Smith  and  James  Brown  to  Isaac  Howes,  which  is  now  in 
possession  of  Mr.  Peter  Hall,  is  the  only  original  deed  which 
we  have  been  able  to  find,  given  by  the  original  owners  of  the 
Oblong.  William  Smith  was  a  lawyer  and  judge  of  great  repu- 
tation. He  died  in  1769,  leaving  a  large  family.  Among  his 
sons  were  Rev.  John  Smith,  who  was  for  many  years  minister 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  427 

at  White  Plains;  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  who  was  the  guide  of 
Major  Andre,  at  th-e  time  of  his  plot  with  Benedict  Arnold;  and 
William  Smith,  the  historian,  of  New  York. 

The  old  Milltown  burying  ground  is  the  last  resting  place  of 
the  earlj'  settlers  of  this  portion  of  the  town.  From  the  ancient 
tombstones  are  copied  the  following  dates  of  the  decease  of  for- 
mer residents:  Elihu  Gage,  died  June'6th,  1834,  age  58;  Elizabeth, 
wife,  April  24th,  1838,  64;  Samuel  Sears,  Oct.  10th,  1830,  57; 
Benjamin  Sears,  March  12th,  1827,  90;  Mary,  wife,  May  26th, 
1814,  78;  David  Penney,  March  23d,  1814,  42;  Samuel  Hall, 
Nov.  3d,  1814,  75;  Elizabeth,  wife,  March  23d,  1832,  82;  Stephen 
Crosby,  April  10th,  1851,  73;  Lidia,  wife,  July  3d,  1867,  87; 
SyJvanus  Gage,  March  18th,  1814,  62;  Elizabeth,  wife,  March 
17th,  1814,  62;  Isaac  Hopkins,  March  16th,  1853,  71;  Anson 
Crane,  June  7th.  1860,  77;  Isaac  Crane,  June  1st,  1853,  72;  Mary, 
wife,  March  30th,  1868,  84;  Jonathan  Crane,  Sept.  25th,  1878, 
92;  Orrin  B.  Crane,  Nov.  7th,  1864,  70;  Thomas  Crosby,  Feb. 
16th,  1844,  76;  Hannah,  wife,  Feb.  24th,  1853,  83;  Peter  War- 
ing, June  27th,  1849,  67;  Esther,  wife,  July  16th,  1831,  49;  Isaiah 
Crane,  Nov.  28th,  1842,  70;  Kezia,  wife,  April  20th,  1849,  74; 
Nathan  Richards,  Feb.  15th,  1839,  62;  Cynthia,  wife,  April 
20th,  1848,  72;  Ezra  Richards,  April  25th,  1819,  68;  Zalmon 
Sandford,  Esq.,  April  30th,  1809,  41;  Dr.  Joseph  Crane,  Aug. 
20th,  1825,  76;  Anna,  wife,  April  4th,  1807,  48;  Jonathan  Crane, 
Aug.  27th,  1834,  88;  Bethia,  wife,  May  11th,  1839,  88;  David 
Hall,  Nov.  17th,  1830,  75;  Lydia,  wife,  March  25th,  1856,  93; 
Morton  Hall,  Feb.  27th,  1818,  75;  Patience,  wife,  March  11th, 
1828,  83;  Thomas  Baldwin,  Jan.  28th,  1868,  91;  Esther,  wife, 
Nov.  3d,  1864,  72;  Edward  Rice,  Nov.  6th,  1826,  61;  Lucy,  wife. 
March  23d,  1826,  55;  Andrew  Hubbell,  Dec.  21st,  1843,  63; 
Sarah,  wife,  Aug.  1st,  1866,  84;  Phineas  Doolittle,  July  25th, 
1814,  57;  Sarah,  wife,  Dec.  20th,  1817,  65;  Capt.  Ichabod  Doo- 
little, Dec.  17th,  1806,  76;  Deborah,  wife,  April  21st,  1820,  93; 
Asa  Hoyt,  July  31st.  1831,  60;  Seth  Sears,  April  2d,  1809,  73; 
Capt.  Knowles  Sears,  June  10th,  1817,  79;  Capt.  Archibald  De 
Forest,  May  13th,  1849,  32;  Sally,  wife,  Aug.  3d,  1867,  68;  David 
L.  De  Forest,  Nov.  26th,  1819,  57;  Sarah,  wife,  July  28th,  1822, 
56;  Jonathan  Couch,  July  4th,  1845,  68;  Esther,  wife.  May  13th, 
1819,  43;  Betsy,  wife,  Nov.  22d,  1861,  73;  Heman  H.  Cole,  Aug. 
20th|  1864,  40;  Timothy  Cole,  1866,  82;  Eliza,  wife,  1867,  76; 
Col.  Isaac  Crosby,  Nov.  22d,   1829,  46;  Solomon  Crosby,  March 


428  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

16th,  1816,  66;  Elizabeth,  wife.  May  3d,  1818,  66;  Isaac  Crosby, 
Feb.  17th,  1815,  97;  Thankful,  wife,  Feb.  19th,  1815,  87;  Joseph 
Baker,  April  12th,  1847,  81;  Nathan  Green,  Oct.  22cl,  1821,  86; 
Sylvanus  Crosby,  April  29th,  1814,  45;  James  Northrop,  Oct. 
4th,  1855,  73;  Joseph  Haines,  Dec.  17th,  1818,  65;  Moody  Howes, 
May  18th,  1827,  75;  Esther,  wife,  Sept.  26th,  1823,  67;  Charles 
Hine,  Dec.  24th,  1846,  88. 

In  1879,  a  tract  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  old  burying 
ground  was  bought  of  Joseph  B.  Sears,  and  land  was  also  pur- 
chased of  Peter  Hall,  Edward  Howes,  Morgan  Horton  and  Fer- 
dinand Hoyt,  May  2d,  1879,  and  the  Milltown  Rural  Cemetery 
was  incorporated.  The  grounds  of  this  cemetery  are  well  kept, 
and  there  are  many  fine  monuments  erected  to  the  memory  of 
prominent  citizens. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  road,  and  a  short  distance  south  of 
the  old  burying  ground,  is  an  old  house  which  dates  back  to  the 
days  before  the  Revolution.  This  house  was  -the  residence  of 
Nathan  Green,  who  sold  it  to  David  Paddock  in  1812.  The 
place  is  now  owned  by  Cyrus  P.  Hanford,  whose  mother  was 
Phebe,  daughter  of  David  Paddock. 

Among  the  old  families  who  settled  here  were  the  Gages. 
Elihu  Gage  was  one  of  the  early  settlers,  who  came  from  Cape 
Cod  and  took  a  farm  on  the  Oblong,  at  the  place  where  Peter 
Foster  now  lives.  He  died  August  14th,  1802,  aged  76.  His 
wife,  Grace,  died  February  24th,  1814,  aged  78.  They  had  with 
other  children,  a  son  Thomas  Gage,  who  had  sons:  Thomas, 
Elihu,  Selah  and  Ephraim. 

Elihu  Gage  was  born  in  1776,  and  died  June  6th,  1834.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Field,  and  their  children  were:  Elias,  Ephraim, 
Russell,  Joseph,  Jane,  Coles  and  Janette. 

Joseph  Gage  was  the  father  of  Mr.  Cornelius  R.  Gage,  now  a 
resident  and  business  man  of  Brewster. 

The  Penney  family,  so  well  known  in  the  town,  are  descended 
from  William  Penney,  who  came  to  the  Oblong  with  his  family, 
from  Harwich,  Mass.,  in  1747,  and  settled  about  a  mile  north  of 
Milltown,  on  a  farm  which  afterward  belonged  to  Jonathan 
Couch,  and  is  now  owned  by  Clark  Barnum.  He  married  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  William  Gray.  Their  children  were:  William, 
2d,  born  May  27th,  1716,  died  February  21st,  1786;  and  John, 
born  June  15th,  1720. 

William  Penney,    2d,   married   Deborah,   daughter  of  John 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  429 

Weeks,  and  their  children  were:  Temperance;  George;  William 
3d,  born  1744,  died  August  8th,  1807;  Edward,  and  Ammiel. 

John  Penney  married  Elizabeth  Delano.  His  children  were: 
Judith;  Hannah;  and  Capt.  John,  born  1757,  died  September 
27th,  ]826. 

William  Penney,  3d,  married  Sarah  Bangs,  and  his  children 
were:  Archibald,  who  died  October  1st,  1841,  aged  67;  Robert, 
born  1776,  died  April  28th,  1836;  and  Darius,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Hall.  He  lived  on  the  old  homestead  near  Milltown. 
His  widow  married  Jonathan  Couch,  who  bought  the  place. 
His  son,  Major-General  Darius  N.  Couch,  who  was  a  very 
prominent  officer  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  was  born  at  this 
place. 

Robert  Penney  married  Betsy  Hibbard  and  his  children  were: 
Polly,  Huldah,  Sally  B.,  William,  Esther,  Darius,  Laura  and 
Elizabeth. 

Archibald  Penney  married  Henrietta  Wilcox.  His  children 
were:  Mary,  wife  of  Luther  Burhus;  Alfred  C,  now  living  in 
Patterson;  Sarah,  wife  of  Asa  Hoyt;  Charles  W.;  Charlotte, 
wife  of  Abner  Crosby;  Elijah,  Hiram,  Melissa,  wife  of  Joshua 
Crosby;  James,  K.,  Oliver,  Cornelias,  and  Philip  D.,  the  pres- 
ent supervisor  of  Patterson. 

The  most  numerous  families  in  this  town  in  former  times  were 
the  Crosbys.  These  families  are  descended  from  three  brothers, 
Thomas,  David  and  Joshua  Crosby,  who  came  from  Harwich, 
Mass. 

Thomas  Crosby  came  in  1756,  and  settled  on  a  farm  south  of 
the  village  of  Carmel. 

David  Crosby  came  in  1749,  and  settled  on  the  Oblong.  He 
died  October  20th,  1793,  aged  85.  His  wife.  Reliance,  died  in 
1788.  His  children  ware:  Reliance;  David,  born  1737,  died 
1816;  Susannah;  Abner,  born  December  25th,  1744;  Sarah,  and 
probably  Eli  and  Moses. 

Joshua  Crosby  married  Lydia  Hopkins  in  1733,  and  came  to 
the  Oblong  in  1749.  His  children  were:  Nathan,  born  1734; 
Reuben,  1736;  Joshua,  1737;  Theodoras,  1739;  Elijah,  1742; 
Hannah,  and  probably  Isaac. 

The  homestead  of  Joshua  Crosby  seems  to  have  been  the 
north  part  of  Lot  10  on  the  Oblong  and  his  son,  Isaac,  lived 
there  after  him.  Eli  Crosby  died  November  22d,  1817,  aged 
78.     He  lived  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  grandson,  James 


430  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Crosby,  north  of  "Elm  Tree  Farm,"  in  the  town  of  Patterson. 
He  married  Eebecca  Sears  and  had  children:  Eber,  born  Sep- 
tember 8th,  1792,  died  May  18th,  1836;  Eli,  2d;  Sears;  Thank- 
ful,, wife  of  William  Penney;  Huldah,  wife  of Ryder; 

Reliance,  wife  of  Alfred  Raymond;  Esther,  wife  of  Benjamin 
Sill;  and  Sally,  wife  of  Joseph  Baker.  Eli  Crosby,  2d,  married 
Laura,  daughter  of  Thomas  Crosby  (son  of  Abner).  His  chil- 
dren are:  James  (now  living  on  his  grandfather's  homestead  in 
Patterson),  Charlotte,  Sally  B.,  Martha,  Ellen,  and  Harriet, 
wife  of  Samuel  Brewster,  of  Brewster  Hill. 

David  Crosby,  brother  of  Eli,  1st,  had  a  son  Peter,  who  lived 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Frederick  Brewster,  near  Doans- 
burg.  He  was  sheriff  of  the  county  in  1813,  and  died  in  1831, 
aged  68. 

Moses  Crosby,  brother  of  Eli,  1st,  had  sons,  Epinetus  (who 
kept  a  tavern  in  old  times  in  the  village  of  Patterson),  James 
and  Harvey. 

Abner  Crosby,  brother  of  Eli,  1st,  owned  a  large  farm  on 
Hinckley  Pond.     He  had  sons:  Thomas,  Stephen  and  Foster. 

Eber  Crosby,  brother  of  Eli,  1st,  married  Esther,  daughter  of 
John  Raymond.  Their  children  were:  Louisa,  wife  of  Alfred  C. 
Penney  of  Patterson;  Nelson  and  Sheldon,  both  of  Wisconsin; 
Lewis,  of  Brooklyn;  Alfred,  Francis  of  Tennessee;  Julia, 
Catharine  M.,  Eli,  Orlando  of  Delavan,  Wis.;  Laura  M.,  Henri- 
etta, and  Emily  B. 

Reuben  Crosby,  son  of  Joshua,  was  born  in  1736,  and  died  in 
1819.  His  children  were:  Abiel,  James,  TertuUus,  and  Desire, 
wife  of  Capt.  John  Penney. 

The  Columbian  Library,  long  since  passed  away,  was  founded 
in  1825,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following  certificate: 

' '  This  may  certify  that  whereas  between  80  and  90  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Southeast,  and  the  towns  adjacent  have  subscribed 
the  sum  of  about  170  dollars,  and  formed  themselves  into  a  body, 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Library,  and  agreeably  to  the 
Statute  held  our  meeting  on  March  7th,  1825,  at  the  store  of  Asa 
Raymond  in  said  town,  and  elected'Ephraim  Gage  Daniel  Hor- 
ton  Samuel  B.  Baxter  Isaac  Sellick  Jr.  and  Thomas  Higgins, 
trustees  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  that  the  name  and  style  of 
said  library  is  known  or  called  by  the  name  of  Southeast 
Library. 

"  Samuel  Baxter,  Chairman." 


TOWN    OP   SOUTHEAST.  431 

This  library  was  kept  at  Asa  Raymond's  store,  at  Milltown, 
near  the  school  house,  for  many  years.  The  name  was  changed 
to  Columbian  Library  a  few  years  later.  The  library  was  finally 
sold  at  auction  and  scattered,  and  a  few  of  the  old  books  may 
yet  be  found  among  the  old  residents. 

SrouTHEAST  CENTER. — The  neighborhood  where  the  Croton 
TurniDike  crosses  the  Croton  River  is  known  as  Southeast  Center, 
though  it  was  in  former  times  generally  called  "Sodom,"  a 
name  which  has  very  justly  been  allowed  to  fall  into  disuse. 
This  region  includes  several  farms  which  were  sold  by  the  com- 
missioners of  forfeiture.  One  of  the  largest  was  sold  to  Moody 
Howes,  whose  farm  was  bounded  south  by  the  river,  north  by 
John  Dickinson,  and  east  by  David  Paddock  (whose  farm  is 
now  owned  in  part  by  Belden  Richards),  and  part  of  the  Howes 
farm  was  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  river  and  embraced  the 
premises  where  the  elegant  mansion  of  Seth  B.  Howes  now 
stands,  and  which  is  on  the  site  of  the  house  where  Moody 
Howes  lived  in  olden  times.  Next  north  was  the  farm  of  John 
Dickinson,  whose  mill  was  an  early  landmark  mentioned  in  the 
survey  of  roads  in  1745.  North  of  the  farm  of  John  Dickinson 
was  the  farm  of  Edward  Rice.  The  line  between  them  ran 
through  Mud  Pond,  or  Lake  Kishtawana,  as  it  has  been  lately 
called.  Edward  Rice's  farm  was  bounded  north  by  the  line  be- 
tween Roger  Morris'  Lot  No.  9,  of  Philipse  Patent,  and  Lot  8, 
belonging  to  Philip  Philipse.  The  north  part  next  this  line  is 
now  owned  by  Benjamin  Foster.  Edward  Rice  left  the  farm  to 
his  son,  Samuel,  after  whose  decease  it  was  sold  to  various 
parties  by  his  executors.  West  of  John  Dickinson's  farm  was 
a  tract  sold  to  David  Cowen.  The  greater  part  of  all  these 
farms  will  be  covered  by  the  new  reservoir  which  is  soon  to  be 
built,  and  Lake  Kishtawana  will  be  obliterated.  The  original 
farms  have  long  been  divided  among  many  owners,  and  so  far  as 
known  the  place  of  Mr.  Seth  B.  Howes  is  the  only  place  in  pos- 
session of  the  descendants  of  the  original  owners,  and  it  has 
been  in  his  family  probably  since  1745. 

North  of  Southeast  Center,  and  adjoining  the  north  part  of 
Lot  9,  was  in  former  times  the  farm  of  John  Waring,  and  the 
old  homestead  still  remains  in  the  hands  of  his  descendants, 
being  now  owned  by  Mrs.  Jane  Newman,  granddaughter  of  the 
original  owner.     John  Waring  came  to  this  place  from  Norwich, 


432  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Conn.,  before  the  Revolution  and  was  tenant  of  a  large  farm, 
which  ran  west  to  what  was  then  called  Waring' s  Pond,  and 
now  known  as  Lake  Tonetta.  It  was  more  generally  known  as 
"  Tone's  Pond,"  from  a  negro  who  lived  near  it. 

John  Waring! s  first  wife  was  Joanna,  who  died  in  1779:  he 
then  married  Mary  Elwell.  He  died  February  17th,  1809,  aged 
73,  and  left  nine  children:  Peter,  Stephen,  Polly,  wife  of  George 

Gregory;    Isaac,    Samuel,     Joanna,    wife   of  Williams; 

Susan,  wife  of  Jonathan  Smith;  Ruth,  wife  of  Peter  Crosby, 
and  John.  Mary,  the  second  wife  of  John  Waring,  died  De- 
cember 13th,  1885,  aged  89.  John  Waring,  jr,,  died  April  15th, 
1812,  at  the  age  of  43.  Samuel  and  Peter  Waring  both  owned 
large  farms  on  the  Philipse  Lot  to  the  north.  Peter  Waring 
married  Esther,  daughter  of  Thomas  Crosby.  Their  children 
were:  Jarvis,  William,  John  T.,  Edwin,  Aurelia,  wife  of  Vin- 
cent, Paddock;  Jane,  wife  of  Robert  Newman;  Laura,  wife  of 
Sheldon  Hubbell;  Hannah,  wife  of  David  Underwood;  Marrietta, 
wife  of  David  Ketcham;  and  Catharine,  wife  of  Levi  Roberts. 
Peter  Waring  died  June  27th,  1849,  aged  67,  and  is  buried  in 
the  cemetery  at  Milltown,  though  most  of  the  family  rest  in  the 
Sear's  burying  ground,  at  Doansburg.  The  old  homestead  was 
bought  by  Mr.  John  T.  Waring  and  presented  to  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Jane  Newman.  Mr.  John  T.  Waring  is  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Yonkers. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  at  Southeast  Center  was  a 
branch  of  the  old  church  at  Doansburg.  That  portion  of  the 
congregation  residing  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  wishing  to 
have  church  services  in  a  more  convenient  locality,  presented  a 
petition  to  the  Presbytery  at  Bedford  to  grant  them  a  new  or- 
ganization as  the  "Southeast  Presbyterian  Church."  To  this 
petition  twenty-six  names  were  appended  and  the  Presbytery 
granted  the  request  June  7th,  1853.  On  the  14th  of  June  the 
new  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  Messrs.  William  Patterson 
and  David  Irving,  and  Elder  Lee.  George  Cole  was  ordained 
as  ruling  elder.  The  services  were  first  held  in  "Temperance 
Hall,"  opposite  the  church  and  now  a  dwelling.  The  church 
edifice  was  begun  in  September,  1853,  and  dedicated  June  28th, 
1854.  The  building  committee  were  Judge  Ebenezer  Foster  and 
Daniel  Reed,  and  the  cost  was  $3,000.  This  church  stands  on 
the  north  side  of  the  road  about  one-eighth  of  a  mile  east  from 
the  bridge  over  the  Croton  River. 


TOU'N    OF   SOUTHEAST.  433 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Winthrop  Bailey,  who  came  in  De- 
cember, 1853.  He  remained  til]  the  spring  of  1862,  when  the 
Presbytery  released  him  at  his  own  request.  After  travelling  in 
Europe,  in  a  vain  search  for  health,  he  returned  to  this  place 
and  died  here  April  30th,  1865.  He  was  esteemed  as  an  earnest 
preacher.  In  bearing  he  was  courteous,  and  in  Christian  char- 
acter he  gave  evidence  of  unusual  spirituality.  The  trees  that 
stand  before  the  church  were  planted  by  his  hand.  His  suc- 
cessor was  Rev.  Samuel  Bailey,  who  remained  a  year.  Next 
came  Rev.  J.  M.  Carmichael,  who  stayed  the  same  length  of 
time,  and  after  him  Rev.  Duncan  C.  Niven  was  supply  for  two 
years.  The  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  R.  Macoubry  began  October 
28th,  1867,  and  continued  till  the  fall  of  1885.  A  valuable  his- 
torical sermon  was  published  by  him. 

Nd  deed  for  the  church  lot  is  to  be  found  on  record,  but  the 
land  is  said  to  have  been  bought  of  Nathan  A.  Howes.  A  lot 
for  the  parsonage  was  bought  of  Hannah  A.  Valentine  March  1st, 
1859.  A  new  church  was  built  in  the  village  of  Brewster,  in 
1884,  but  has  not  been  dedicated. 

DoANSBUBG. — The  region  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  or  Union  Society,  has  long  borne  the 
name  of  Doansburg,  from  the  family  who  have  been  residents 
here  from  the  earliest  settlement.  It  was  here  that  the  second 
church  was  built  previous  to  the  year  1761,  and  here  was  the 
home  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  and  the  scene  of  his  life  long  labors. 
The  first  deed  which  we  find  for  land  in  this  vicinity  is  recorded 
in  the  clerk's  ofBce  of  Dutchess  county.  By  this  deed  William 
Smith  (then  lawyer,  of  New  York)  conveys  "to  Elisha  Kent  of 
Newtown,  Fairfield  county,  Conn  ,  the  two-fifth  part  of  all  that 
lot  of  land,  situate  lying  and  being  in  Dutchess  county,  being 
part  of  that  land,  situate,  lying  and  being  in  Dutchess  county 
being  part  of  that  tract  of  land  called  the  Oblong  or  Equivalent 
lands,  being  Lot  No.  eleven,  Beginning  at  the  monument  put  in 
the  western  bounds  of  the  said  surrendered  lands  at  the  dis- 
tance of  ten  miles  northerly  from  the  monument  at  the  end  of 
the  twenty  miles  from  Cortlandts  Point  and  runs  from  thence 
South  twelve  degrees  thirty  minutes  west  fifteen  chains  thence 
south  seventy-seven  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  east  seventy- 
two  chains  and  a  half;  thence  north  twelve  degrees  thirty 
minutes  east  seventy-two  chains  and  a  half,  thence  north 
28 


434  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

seventy-seven  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  west  seventy-two 
chains  and  a  half  to  the  western  bounds  aforesaid;  thence 
south  twelve  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  west  fifty  seven  chains 
and  a  half  to  the  first  station,  containing  five  hundred  acres 
with  the  allowance  made  for  highways,  said  two-fifth  parts  are 
to  be  laid  out  by  a  line  parallel  to  the  most  southerly  side  of 
the  said  Lot.  Together  with  all  the  appurtenances,  and  ex- 
cepting and  reserving  mines  minerals  and  pine  trees."  This  is 
dated  August  3d,  1743,  the  consideration  being  "£150  in  cur- 
rent money." 

The  south  part  of  the  tract  which  was  thus  sold  to  Rev. 
Elisha  Kent  lies  directly  east  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
is  the  south  portion  of  the  farm  of  Augustus  S.  Doane,  the 
boundary  line  between  this  farm  and  the  land  of  Frederick  S. 
Barnum  being  the  line  between  the  Oblong  Lots  11  and  10.  The 
ruins  of  an  old  house  are  plainly  visible  a  lew  rods  east  of  the 
Oblong  line  and  nearly  east  from  the  church,  and  here  is  the 
place-  where  Mr.  Kent  passed  his  days.  The  location  of  the 
farm  and  home  of  the  minister  readily  accounts  for  the  removal 
of  the  church  from  the  old  site  near  Dykeman's  Station  to  a 
place  more  convenient  for  the  pastor  and  probably  for  the 
people.  The  family  which  has  given  its  name  to  this  locality 
is  descended  from  Elnathan  Doane,  who  came  to  this  region 
from  Cape  Cod  about  1745.  His  son,  Elnathan,  was  born  in 
1747,  and  died  August  13th,  1806,  leaving  five  sons:  Zenas,  Ed 
mond,  Demas,  Elnathan,  and  Benjamin,  whose  descendants  still 
remain.  The  house  of  Elnathan  Doane  was  where  the  present 
homestead  of  Augustus  S.  Doane  stands  and  the  farm  was  next 
north  of  the  farm  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent.  In  addition  to  the  home 
farm,  he  was  the  holder  as  tenant  of  a  tract  of  351  acres  under 
Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie,  which  is  described  as  "a  rough  farm." 
The  home  farm  was  small  at  first,  but  by  many  judicious  pur- 
chases and  a  remarkable  tenacity  for  holding  on  to  them,  his 
descendants  are  among  the  largest  land  holders  in  the  town. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  1766,  Philip  Philipse  gave  to  Moss  Kent 
a  perpetual  lease  for  "  All  that  Messiaage  and  Tract  of  land  sit- 
uate in  Philipse  Patent,  Lot  8,  beginning  at  a  walnut  sapling  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Ezekiel  and  Jeremiah  Burges'  Farm, 
and  from  thence  runs  South  12  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  east 
25  chains  then  South  2  degrees  80  minutes  east  28  chains  and  20 
links  to  Zebulon  Bass'   farm,  then  South  80  degrees  east  16 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  435 

chains  and  50  links  to  the  Oblong:  then  north  11  east  58  chains 
70  links  by  the  Oblong  to  Paddock's  farm,  then  South  80  degrees 
west  36  chains  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Containing  118  acres 
including  the  dwelling  house,  store  house  and  garden  spot  of 
the  said  Moss  Kent  around  the  buildings  now  within  the  said 
Kent's  enclosures,"  "reserving  all  mines,  minerals  and  ores  of 
metal."  The  annual  rent  was  to  be  "  the  sum  of  eight  pounds 
current  money  yearly  forever." 

The  farm  thus  perpetually  leased  to  Moss  Kent,  who  was  a 
son  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent  and  in  after  years  a  very  prominent 
lawyer,  included  the  lands  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  and  ex- 
tended from  the  church  northward  along  the  Oblong,  nearly  to 
where  the  large  barn  of  Augustus  Doane  now  stands.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  present  century  the  part  of  the  farm  to  the 
east  of  the  road  and  also  the  farm  to  the  east  which  belonged  to 
the  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  were  in  the  possession  of  one  Adad  Brad- 
ley. A  mortgage  given  by  him  to  John  Valentine  in  1812,  de- 
scribes a  tract  mortgaged  as  "  beginning  on  the  Oblong  line  a 
few  rods  east  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  running  north  42 
chains  and  thence  west  to  the  highway  opposite  the  barn  of 
Thomas  B.  Sears,"  then  south  along  the  highway  "  to  nearly 
opposite  the  church,"  and  then  by  the  old  road  to  the  place  of 
beginning.  This  was  afterward  sold  to  the  Doanes  who  also  be- 
came the  possessors  of  the  original  Elisha  Kent  farm,  and  they 
are  still  the  owners. 

A  large  white  house  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  belonging  to 
Eli  Baker  was  once  the  residence  of  Rev.  Jehu  Minor,  who  was 
a  prominent  citizen  and  well  known  as  a  teacher.  In  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  the  place  was  sold  to  Daniel  Reed  and  Mr.  Minor 
removed  to  Sing  Sing,  where  he  died.  On  the  15th  of  October, 
1827,  Russell  J.  Minor  sold  to  Reuben  D.  Barnum,  a  lot  of  one 
acre  and  fifty  rods  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  road  and  on  the 
south  side  of  his  farm.  The  deed,  which  is  a  model  of  explicit- 
ness,  is  in  Liber  E,  page  54.  Daniel  Reed  sold  the  house  and 
farm  to  James  Crosby,  in  1851.  This  piece  was  bounded  on  the 
south  by  the  parsonage  lot,  which  was  then  occupied  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Stansbury.  Upon  this  lot  Mr.  Barnum  built  a  house  and 
store  and  here  the  post  office  was  kept  by  Daniel  Reed,  while 
the  road  was  a  stage  route.  In  the  front  of  this  store,  which  is 
still  standing,  there  was  in  former  times  a  large  rock  as  high  as 
a  man's  head,  with  artificial  steps  cut  in  it.      This  rock  was 


436  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Chancellor  Kent's  favorite  resort  for  amusement,  when  a  boy, 
and  in  after  years  when  he  returned  to  visit  the  scenes  of  his 
childhood  it  was  one  of  the  old  landmarks  whose  disappearance 
he  most  regretted.  It  was  blasted  to  pieces  by  Mr.  Barnum 
more  than  50  years  ago.  Russell  J.  Minor  sold  his  house  and 
farm  to  Daniel  Reed,  March  22d,  1845.  Mr.  Reed  bought  the 
store  lot  (formerly  sold  to  Reuben  D.  Barnum)  of  the  executors 
of  Eber  Crosby,  March  16th,  1835.  It  is  now  owned  by  Abm. 
Sherwood. 

The  house  in  which  Moss  Kent  lived,  and  which  was  the  birth- 
place of  the  renowned  lawyer,  Chancellor  James  Kent,  was  pur- 
chased by  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Doansburg,  in  1819  It 
was  torn  down  and  a  new  house  for  a  parsonage  was  erected  on 
the  same  site,  about  1823.  This  last  mentioned  house  is  now 
the  property  of  Frederick  S.  Barnum,  Esq.,  and  is  on  the  west 
side  of  the  road  and  close  to  the  north  line  of  his  farm,  and 
about  three  rods  south  of  the  house  and  store  formerly  owned 
by  Reuben  D.  Barnum.  Shortly  before  the  destruction  of  the 
old  house.  Chancellor  Kent  came  to  Doansburg  to  visit  once 
more  the  place  of  his  birth.  As  he  entered  the  house  he  seemed 
transformed  again  into  a  child.  He  requested  at  once  to  be 
shown  a  certain  room,  and  then  remarked  to  his  guide:  "  I  want 
to  crawl  under  the  bed  and  put  my  hand  in  a  knot  hole,  where 
my  brother  Moss  and  I  used  to  watch  for  a  mouse  when  we 
were  boys."  And  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  down  dropped 
the  grave  and  dignified  Chancellor  of  New  York  and  (not  with- 
out difficulty)  accomplished  the  feat  which  had  tickled  his  boy- 
ish heart  long  years  before. 

In  the  year  1846,  Mr.  John  CuUen  Van  Rensselaer  made  a 
journey  to  Doansburg  in  search  of  a  family  Bible  which  had  be- 
longed to  his  grandmother,  Lucy,  daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha 
Kent.  Previous  to  starting  on  his  journey,  he  addressed  a 
letter  to  his  cousin.  Chancellor  James  Kent,  making  some  in- 
quiries concerning  the  family  and  in  due  time  received  the  fol- 
lowing reply: 

"26  Union  Place,  June  1st,  1846. 
"Dear  Sir: 

"  In  answer  to  your  interesting  letter  of  Saturday,  I  will  now 
give  the  recollections  I  have  respecting  the  parents  of  your 
mother.  It  is  probable  I  am  the  only  person  now  living  who 
can  give  any  information  on  the  subject. 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  437 

"  Charles  Cullen,  your  mother's  father,  was  an  Irishman,  and 
educated  well  as  a  merchant.  He  wrote  neatly,  read  the  Eng- 
lish/Classics, and  was  of  small  stature  and  of  polished  manners. 
He  was  generous,  amiable  and  hospitable  and  most  kind  to  me 
in  the  early  part  of  my  life.  He  was  married  to  Lucy,  a  sister 
of  my  father.  Moss  Kent,  and  youngest  daughter  of  Kev.  Elisha 
Kent,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  was  well  educated  at  Yale 
College,  and  who  became  an  ordained  preacher  and  settled, 
say  about  1740,  on  the  Oblong,  now  the  town  of  Southeast  in 
Putnam  county.  I  well  remember  being  present  at  a  Sunday 
evening  with  my  father  and  mother,  about  the  year  1768,  at  the 
wedding  of  my  uncle  Cullen  and  my  aunt  Lucy.  She  was  a  very 
sprightly  brunette,  with  black  eyes  and  hair,  and  was  always 
most  kind  to  me,  and  at  the  recollection  of  her  and  her  delight- 
ful connections  in  my  bright  and  joyous  seasons  of  youth,  I  feel 
the  tears  of  sympathy  starting  in  my  eyes.  When  I  rode  from 
Norwalk  to  my  father's  house  in  the  town  near  my  grandfather, 
on  a  Sunday  evening  Dec.  30th,  1770,  my  aunt  Lucy  Cullen  came 
out  to  the  street  and  took  me  in  her  arms  off  the  horse,  for  my 
blessed  mother  was  then  dying  and  did  die  in  half  an  hour. 

"  My  uncle  Cullen  after  his  marriage  settled  as  a  merchant 
on  the  Croton  River  at  what  was  called  Ryder's  Mills,  about  a 
mile  south  of  my  grandfather  Kent,  and  of  my  own  father's 
house.  Uncle  Cullen  had  a  very  pleasant,  and  for  that  day 
elegant,  house  and  store,  where  he  traded  successfully  down  to 
the  American  War.  There  was  a  very  polished  and  delightful 
•family  connection  all  prosperous  at  that  period.  My  father  was 
a  lawyer  and  lived  within  half  a  mile  of  my  grandfather.  Uncle 
Cullen  lived  a  mile  south.  Uncle  Morrison,'  a  Scotch  merchant, 
who  married  another  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Elisha  Kent  and  set- 
tled and  did  business  prosperously  six  miles  north  of  my 
grandfather's  place,  at  Fredericksburg.  Uncle  Graut,  a  Scotch 
officer,  lived  on  his  half  pay,  eight  miles  north  of  the  same,  and 
married  another  daughter  of  my  grandfather.  He  was  a  noble 
fellow  and  fell  at  the  storming  of  Fort  Montgomery,  in  the 
British  service  as  a  Major,  on  the  7th  of  October,  1777.  Uncle 
Kane,"  an  Irish  merchant,  married  another  of  my  father's  sisters, 
and  lived  as  a  prosperous  merchant  in  Pawlings  Precinct,  near 

'  Malcolm  Morrison,  who  lived  in  the  present  village  of  Patterson. 
'  John  Kane  was  the  occupant  of  a  farm  on  the  Gore  in  the  town  of  Pawling, 
now  owned  by  William  H.  Chapman. 


4B8  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Quaker  Hill,  about  ten  miles  north  of  my  grandfather  Kent's. 
Here  then  on  a  line  of  twelve  miles,  lived  Uncle  CuUen,  next 
grandfather  Kent,  next  my  father,  next  uncle  Morrison,  next 
uncle  Grant,  and  next  uncle  Kane.  Here  was  a  polished  and 
prosperous  line  of  connections  living  from  1760  to  1776,  most 
respectably  and  happy  as  a  family  circle,  but  alas  the  American 
War  came  on  and  dispersed  them  all  and  all  of  them  got  ship- 
wrecked in  their  business  and  fortunes  (my  grandfather  ex- 
cepted, who  died  in  1776)  by  the  tempest  of  the  Revolution. 
"  My  uncle  Cullen  remained  and  lived  on  his  means,  out  of  all 
business  during  the  War.  His  resources  were  much  exhausted, 
and  toward  the  latter  end  of  the  war,  say  in  1783,  he  removed 
to  a  farm  about  six  miles  west  of  his  former  place  and  bailt  or 
repaired  a  very  good  house  and  farm.  The  town  is  called  Car- 
mel,  and  the  farm  was  about  two  miles  south  of  where  the  Court 
House  in  the  now  County  of  Putnam  stands,  and  at  this  place 
my  uncle  and  aunt  Cnllen  both  died— uncle  Cullen  about  1787. 
I  do  not  know  where  he  or  his  wife  were  buried,  probably  in 
some  plain  country  burying  ground,  around  there,  for  the 
country  in  that  quarter  was  at  that  time  and  for  some  years 
very  plain  and  poor.  I  do  not  believe  anybody  can  tell  where 
was  the  spot  either  was  buried,  or  can  designate  the  graves. 
The  remains  of  my  own  father  are  dispersed  to  the  winds  and 
lost.  He  died  in  this  city  in  1794,  and  was  buried  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  yard  in  Wall  street,  and  when  the  ground  was 
sold  and  built  on,  a  few  years  ago,  all  the  graves  and  their  con- 
tents were  removed  without  my  knowledge  and  are  gone  for- 
ever. Probably  the  graves  of  your  mother's  parents  have  re- 
mained undisturbed  to  this  day.  My  aunt  Cullen  lost  her  eld- 
est daughter  early  in  July,  1792.  She  was  about  16  years  of 
age,  and  was  spoken  of  as  a  very  interesting  and  respectable 
young  lady.  It  was  a  dreadful  affliction  to  her  widowed  mother. 
She  was  probably  buried  aside  of  her  father.  I  rode  down  from 
Poughkeepsie,  on  the  30th  July,  1792,  to  visit  my  aunt  Cullen: 
in  her  desolate  state  and  tarried  a  night  with  her.  Prom  1781 
to  his  death  in  1787,  I  visited  my  uncle  Cullen  frequently.  He 
was  like  a  father  to  me  and  I  loved  him  exceedingly.  My  father 
took  great  care  of  my  aunt  Cullen,  while  a  widow,  and  as 
brother  and  sister  they  were  affectionately  intimate.  I  do  not 
know  exactly  when  she  died.  She  died  on  the  farm  where  her 
husband  died,  but  I  was  not  present  at   the  funeral  of  either 


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TOWN    OF   SOrTHEAST.  489 

nor  was  my  father.  He  lived  up  at  Waterford  and  I  at  Pough- 
keepsie,  at  the  time.  I  presume  that  your  mother  was  born  near 
Ryder's  Mills  before  my  uncle  Cullen  removed  to  Carmel  though 
I  do  not  know  her  age  exactly.  The  only  family  burying  ground 
of  my  father  Kent's  family  remains  at  Southeast  Town  near  my 
grandfather  Kent's  house  and  meeting  house.  There  his  wife, 
the  mother  of  my  aunt  Lucy,  died  and  was  buried  about  1750, 
and  the  "rude  memorial"  of  her  grave  in  a  coarsely  carved 
stone,  remains  to  this  day.  I  was  on  the  spot  and  saw  it  the 
31st  July,  1844.  My  grandfather  has  a  marble  stone  at  his 
grave,  put  up  by  some  of  my  cousin  Kanes,  and  there  is  a 
grave  stone  of  ray  blessed  mother,  and  these  are  all  the  sepul- 
chral monuments  remaining  of  that  once  happy,  respectable 
and  prosperous  family  circle.  Some  of  these  details  may  ap- 
pear trifling  but  I  thought  they  would  not  be  unacceptable  to 
your  mother  to  whom  I  request  you,  when  you  write,  to  give 
her  my  love  and  respects. 

' '  I  am  Dear  Sir, 

"  Yours  Respectfully. 

"James  Kent." 

In  an  account  of  his  journey,  which  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  sent 
to  the  author  of  this  work,  he  narrates  as  follows: 

"The  house  of  the  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  on  the  elevation  back 
of  the  church,  was  in  good  condition  when  I  saw  it  in  1846. 
With  the  exception  of  the  portico  in  front,  it  was  unchanged 
after  the  lapse  of  a  hundred  years.  It  was  a  large  two  story 
house.  Entering  the  front  door  I  found  a  small  passage  about 
eight  feet  by  four  or  five  feet;  in  the  rear  of  this  passage  or  en- 
try an  immense  chimney,  which  was  the  kitchen  chimney,  the 
kitchen  room  being  back  of  it.  The  right  hand  door  on  enter- 
ing this  passage,  opened  to  the  family  room,  where  old  Mr. 
Kent  used  to  hang  his  pipe.  The  room  over  it  being  the  one 
where  he  had  his  study,  and  where  he  used  to  retire  to  pray. 
The  room  to  the  left  being  a  large  handsome  room,  properly 
the  room,  where  my  grandmother  Lucy  and  the  other  daughters 
of  Priest  Kent  were  married.  In  the  rear  of  all  an  immense 
kitchen.  The  house  was  in  every  part  of  oak,  even  to  the  board- 
ing out  side,  which  accounts  for  its  long  and  good  preservation 
and  it  must  have  been  considered  in  the  old  days  as  handsome 
and  expensive.  There  was  a  farm  attached,  which  Priest  Kent 
cultivated  and  which  now  belongs  to  a  Mr.  Doane. 


440  HISTORY   or   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"In  my  visiting  of  all  these  localities,  I  was  accompanied  by 
Di\  Daniel  Reed.  He  told  me  the  Chancellor  came  to  see  the 
honse  where  he  was  born,  and  when  he  was  about  sixty  years 
of  age.  This  must  have  been  about  1824.  The  first  thing  the 
Chancellor  did,  after  entering  the  house,  was  to  go  to  a  room, 
and  there  seek  (the  Dr.  said  in  crawling)  under  a  bed,  a  knot 
hole,  where  he  and  his  brother  Moss  had  amused  themselves  in 
watching  for  a  mouse  in  their  childhood.  In  the  joyful  excite- 
ment of  finding  it  he  fairly  danced  around  the  room.  When  I 
was  there  the  site  of  the  old  house  was  occupied  by  a  double 
one  story  one,  in  cottage  style;  the  first  house  south  of  what 
was  then  Daniel  Reed's  store,  under  the  hill,  on  the  west  side 
of  the  road." 

The  old  parsonage  house  was  torn  down  about  1888,  and  a 
heap  of  ruins  a  short  distance  east  of  the  church  marks  the 
site. 

The  cemetery  at  Doahsburgis  generally  known  as  the  "  Sears 
Burying  Ground,"  from  its  being  near  the  farm  and  homestead 
of  Archibald  Sears,  who  was  during  a  long  life  a  well  known 
citizen  of  the  town.  The  ground  was  a  part  of  the  estate  of 
Frederick  Philipse,  and  was  given  by  him  for  burial  purposes. 
In  the  field  book  of  survey  of  Lot  8,  of  Philipse  Patent,  it  is 
described:  "Begins  at  the  middle  of  the  road  leading  from 
Archibald  Sears  to  Lyman  Sherwoods,  and  the  N.  E.  corner  of 
Robert  Penney,  thence  N.  5°  W.  7  chains  60  links  along  the 
middle  of  the  road;  thence  S.  32|  W.  8.  74  along  another  road 
and  turnpike  leading  to  Sing  Sing;  thence  S.  87°  E.  5.60  along 
said  Sears  and  Penney  to  the  beginning,  containing  2  acres  8 
rods;  deed  of  gift." 

Within  this  enclosure  rest  the  early  settlers  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  six  ministers  of  the  parish  have  found  here  their  last 
home.  Many  of  the  inscriptions  are  growing  illegible,  and  to 
preserve  them  seems  a  duty  not  to  be  neglected.  The  oldest 
tombstone  is  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  wife  of  Rev.  Elisha 
Kent,  and  a  copy  is  given  in  the  sketch  of  the  church  history: 
Thomas  Paddock,  died  June  11th,  1799,  age,  77;  Mary,  wife, 
July  8th,  1778,  55;  Peter  Paddock,  April  10th,  1760,  63;  Sarah, 
wife,  Oct.  22d,  1776,  80;  Peter  Chapman,  Oct.  8th,  1776,  33; 
David  Crosby,  Nov.  16th,  1816,  79;  Bethia,  wife,  July  2d,  1776, 
41;  Thomas  Chapman,  June  6th,  1827,  68;  Samuel  Lawrence, 
Nov.  10th,  1831,  84;  Thankful,  wife,  Aug.  30th,  1811,  52;  James 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  441 

Paddock,  Aug.  9th,  1761,  67;  Dr.  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  Aug. 
11th,  1849,  60;  Clarrissa,  wife,  May  14th,  1834,  40;  Hannah,  wife, 
Aprill4th,  1861,  66;  Peter  Crosby,  Nov.  9th,  1831,  68;  Ruth,  wife, 
July  31st  1830,  67;  Zebulon  Crane,  Aug.  17th,  1848,  60;  Weltha, 
wife,  Sept.  6th,  1860,  71;  Zebulon  Crane,  Dec.  31st,  1814,  68; 
Hannah,  wife  of  Nathan  Gray,  1789,  78;  Charles  C.  Crosby, 
Nov.  15th,  1848,  51;  Jane,  'wife,  Dec.  9th,  1857,  64;  Ne- 
hemiah  Jones,  Dec.  18th,  1805,  71;  Peter  Hall,  July  3d,  1795, 
75;  Abigail  Hall.  86;  Thomas  Sears,  April  26th,  1804,  59; 
Deborah,  wife,  Sept.  13th,  1828,  79;  James  Foster,  Aug.  18th, 
1814,  81;  Bathsheba,  wife,  Sept.  12th,  1820,  72;  Thankful,  wife, 
July  27th,  1772,  31:  Edmond  Foster,  Esq.,  May  5th,  1845,  77; 
Sarah,  wife,  March  1st,  1847,  77;  RuthDoane,  Sept.  30th,  1801, 
69;  John  Raymond,  Feb.  15th,  1829,  85;  Mar}^  wife,  July  27th, 
1787,  40;  Stephen  Waring,  Jan.  22d,  1815,  43;  John  Waring,  Feb. 
17th,  1809,  73;  John  Waring,  jr.,  April  15th,  1812,  43;  Joanna 
Waring,  April  28th,  1779,  48;  Susannah  Waring,  Aug.  10th, 
1837,  76;  Stephen  Paddock,  May  2d,  1832,  82,  Joanna  Williams, 
April  5th,  1867,  87;  Mary  Waring,.  Dec.  13th,  1839,  89;  Susan 
E.  Williams,  Oct.  25th,  1872,  60;  Elnathan  Doane,  Aug.  13th, 
1806,  69;  Phebe,  wife,  June  10th,  1788,  32;  Elnathan  Doane, 
Nov.  11th,  1845,  53;  Edmond  Doane,  July  6th,  1825,  49;  Demas 
Doane,  July  23d,  1830,  44;  Roxanna,  wife,  June  7th,  1838,  45; 
Mr.  Ezekiel  Burgis,  Feb.  16th,  1784,  79;  Sarah,  wife,  Dec.  18th, 
1774,  ;  Simeon  Perry,  Sept.  8th,  1853,  94;  Ebenezer  Perry,  May 
2d,  1862,  63;  Rd.  Daniel  Reed,  Feb.  6th,  1854.  83;  Sarah,  wife, 
Oct.  22d,  1856,  79;  Archibald  Penney,  Oct.  1st,  1840,  67;  Henri- 
etta, wife,  Dec.  15th,  1854,  69;  Robert  Penney,  April  28th.  1836, 
60;  William  Penney,  jr.,  Aug.  8th,  1807,  65;  Sarah,  wife, 
March  23d,  1814,  74;  Capt.  John  Penney,  Sept.  27th,  1826,  69; 
Desire  Crosby,  wife,  June  5th,  1849,  90;  Capt.  Azor  Barnum, 
Sept.  9th.  1807,  61;  Azor  Barnum,  jr.,  April  28th,  1816,  71; 
Sally,  wife,  Oct.  13th,  1803,  17;  Eli  Crosby,  Nov.  22d,  1827,  78; 
Jonathan  Barnum,  Oct.  7th,  1843,  83;  Judge  Stephen  Barnum, 
July  12th,  1825.  64;  Maj.  Joshua  Barnum,  jr.,  June  4th,  1818,  53; 
Thankful,  wife,  Nov.  30th,  1841,  73;  William  Penney,  Feb.  2l8t, 
1786,  70;  Capt.  Joshua  Barnum,  Oct.  23d,  1822,  85;  Adah,  wife, 
April  17th,  1810,  73;  Moses  Crosby,  July  2d,  1821,  66;  Abner 
Crosby,  May  5th,  1813,  67;  Ruth,  wife,  Oct.  1st,  1816,  67;  David 
Crosby,  Oct.  20th,  1793,  85;  Reliance,  wife,  Feb.  25th,  1788,  75; 
Dea.  Elkanah  Young,  May  20th,   1809,   59;   Huldah,  wife,  Feb. 


442  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

14th,  1830,  73;  Samuel  Bangs,  March  1st,  1787,  64;  John  Bangs, 
March  30th,  1784,  35;  Hannah,  wife,  Oct.  29th,  1753,  33;  Elihu 
Gage,  Aug.  14th,  1802,  76;  Grace,  Feb.  24th,  1814,  78;  Rebecca, 
wife  of  Thomas  Gage,  Dec.  5th,  1759,  53;  Mercy,  wife  of  Theo- 
dorus  Crosby,  Aug.  20th,  1811,  70;  Oliver,  son  of  Henry  Hoyt, 
April  29th,  1792,  2;  Lydia,  wife  of  Joshua  Crosby,  Sept.  10th, 
1781,  67;  Hannah,  daughter  of  Joshua  Crosby,  March,  1757,  13; 
Naomai,  daughter  of  Capt.  Jeremiah  Burgis,  Marchlst.  1784,  22. 

The  land  to  the  south  of  the  burying  ground  was  the  farm 
formerly  held  by  Robert  Penney  as  tenant  of  the  Philipse  fam- 
ily. To  the  south  of  this  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  was 
the  old  parsonage  farm  held  by  the  parish  as  tenants  of  Mrs. 
Margaret  Ogilvie,  the  lease  of  which  was  transferred  to  Rev. 
Ichabod  Lewis,  and  after  his  death  the  fee  of  the  land  was  sold 
to  James  Porter,  who  conveyed  it  to  Jehiel  Sherwood,  June  2d, 
1797,  and  after  his  death  it  was  purchased  by  his  son,  Lyman 
Sherwood,  from  the  other  heirs,  and  is  now  held  by  his  chil- 
dren. The  Penney  farm  was  sold  to  Lyman  Sherwood  by  Fred- 
erick Philipse,  December  2d,  1815,  and  is  now  in  possession  of 
the  family. 

The  Sears  farm,  which  lies  directly  opposite  to  the  burying 
ground  and  a  part  of  which  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  is 
probably  the  one  owned  by  Zebulon  Bass,  in  1766.  It  was  sold 
to  Archibald  Sears,  July  17th,  1815,  by  Frederick  Philipse.  The 
land  to  the  east  of  the  Oblong  line,  and  adjoining  the  homestead, 
is  part  of  Oblong  Lot  No.  10.  The  north  part  of  this  lot  seems 
to  have  belonged  to  the  Crosby  family  from  the  earliest  times, 
and  was  probably  first  owned  by  Joshua  Crosby  in  1749. 

East  of  Doansburg,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Croton  River  is  a 
locality  known  as  De  Forest's  Corners.  This  derived  its  name 
from  David  L.  De  Forest,  a  prominent  citizen  of  former  times. 
He  was  one  of  the  builders  of  the  church  in  1794.  He  died  No- 
vember 26th,  1819,  at  the  age  of  57.  He  was  a  liberal  supporter 
of  the  church  and  left  a  thousand  dollars  to  it  in  his  will.  His 
home  was  a  large  brick  house  still  standing  here,  and  owned  by 
some  of  his  descendants. 

On  the  west  bank  of  the  Croton,  to  the  north  of  the  road  from 
Doansburg,  is  the  original  homestead  of  the  Barnum  family. 
The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Capt.  Joshua  Barnum,  who 
came  from  the  town  of  Danbury,  Conn.,  and  settled  here.  This 
farm  is  a  part  of  Lot  12  on  the  Oblong,  and  remains  in  the  pos- 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  443 

session  of  his  descendants.  About  a  mile  west  of  the  church  at 
Doansburg  is  the  farm  which,  at  the  close  of  the  last  century, 
was  owned  by  Peter  Crosby,  who  was  a  prominent  citizen.  Ow- 
ing to  financial  difficulties,  the  farm  was  sold  at  sheriff's  sale, 
to  Edmund  Doane,  May  2d,  1821,  and  by  him  to  William  K. 
Comstock,  May  3d.  It  was  sold  May  10th,  1824,  to  Samuel 
Brewster,  and  is  now  owned  by  his  son,  Frederick  D.  Brewster. 

The  ancient  division  line  between  Lot  9  of  the  Philipse  Patent, 
which  belonged  to  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife,  and  Lot  8,  which 
belonged  to  Philip  Philipse,  runs  just  south  of  Doansburg.  The 
east  corner  is,  as  the  old  survey  states,  on  the  Oblong  line  on 
the  "west  side  of  a  rocky  hill."  This  point  is  15  chains  and 
40  links  east  of  the  road,  and  from  this  place  the  line  runs  west 
and  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  homestead  and  farm  of 
Lyman  Sherwood  on  the  north,  and  the  house  and  farm  of  Ben- 
jamin Foster  on  the  south.  The  line  is  about  one  quarter  of  a 
mile  south  of  the  burying  ground.  Beyond  this  it  forms  the 
boundary  between  the  farms  of  Frederick  Brewster  on  the  north, 
and  Mrs.  Robert  Newman  on  the  south.  To  the  west  of  the 
road  on  Brewster  Hill,  it  runs  across  the  farm  of  Morgan  Town- 
send.  Here  the  line  crosses  Lake  Tonetta  (south  of  the  middle) 
and  can  be  distinctly  traced  to  the  west.  At  the  Tilly  Foster 
Mine,  it  forms  the  line  between  Theodore  Kelly  on  the  north, 
and  the  estate  of  Theodore  Reed  on  the  south,  and  is  the  north 
boundary  of  the  land  belonging  to  the  Tilly  Poster  Mine  Com- 
pany. 

The  line  crosses  the  reservoir  at  the  east  end  of  the  bridge, 
and  forms  the  north  boundary  of  the  school  house  lot  in  Dis- 
trict No.  10.  Beyond  this  a  line  of  stone  wall  extends  to  the 
west  corner  of  the  two  lots,  on  the  town  line  of  Carmel,  which 
is  the  east  line  of  Lot  No.  6  in  the  Philipse  Patent.  At  this 
point  stands  a  walnut  tree,  which  may  have  sprung  from  the 
root  of  the  one  mentioned  in  the  original  survey,  which  is  de- 
scribed as  "standing  on  the  south  side  of  a  hill  near  an  old 
meeting  house."  The  land  on  both  sides  of  the  line  is  owned 
by  Elijah  Fowler. 

Presbyterian  Church  at  Doansburg. — The  early  settlers 
from  the  eastern  part  of  Massachusetts  brought  with  them  the 
spirit  of  the  Puritans  and  to  erect  a  church  was  one  of  the  duties 
which  they  were  prompt  to  perform,  and  the  town  of  Southeast 
can  justly  claim  the  honor  of  erecting  and  establishing  the  first 


444  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

church  within  the  limits  of  the  county.  The  first  church  build- 
ing, long  since  passed  away,  stood  near  the  northwest  corner  of 
the  town  and  about  a  mile  east  from  Dykeman's  Station,  on  the 
.New  England  Railroad.  The  exact  site  is  in  the  rear  of  the 
house  now  the  homestead  of  Mr.  James  Barnes.  The  date  of 
its  building  is  unknown,  but  it  was  previous  to  1745,  as  in  the 
record  of  the  laying  out  of  highways  in  that  year  it  is  men- 
tioned as  a  well  known  landmark.  It  was  a  small  log  building 
and  on  the  grounds  around  it  were  buried  some  of  the  early 
settlers.  Fifty  years  ago  there  were  rude  stones  that  marked 
these  resting  places  of  the  dead,  but  all  traces  of  them  have  dis- 
appeared. Mrs.  Sarah  Gay,  who  died  October  22d,  1847,  at  the 
age  of  93,  was  probably  the  last  person  who  could  remember 
this  ancient  edifice.  It  was  to  this  church  that  the  Rev.  Elisha 
Kent  came  as  a  pastor  and  was  installed,  by  a  Consociation  of 
Ministers  in  Connecticut,  in  1-743,  the  organization  at  that  time 
being  known  as  the  "  First  Church  in  Philipse  Precinct,"  and 
from  the  name  of  its  first  minister  the  district  soon  gained  the 
name  of  "  Kent's  Parish."  The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Kent  lasted 
from  the  time  of  his  installation,  in  1743,  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  a  period  of  thirty-three  years.  The  church  records  of 
this  time  are  lost,  the  only  document  we  have  been  able  to  find 
being  the  following: 

"  We  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  Philipse  Precinct,  do 
for  the  encouragement  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elisha  Kent  in  the  work 
of  the  Ministry  promise  to  pay  to  him  the  sum  affixed  to  our 
names,  in  York  Currency  or  in  other  pay  to  his  satisfaction,  on 
the  first  day  of  December  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof,  and  the 
same  sum  or  sums  on  the  first  day  of  Dec.  annually  during  his 
continuing  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  ministry,  and  we  con- 
tinue in  the  place  and  so  capable  of  attending  upon  it.  As  wit- 
ness our  hand  this  31  day  of  March,  1756. 

"Witness  "Tho.  Higgins,  10  shillings. 

"John  Calkins,  "  Wm.  Cuttle,  6 

"Ephraim  Smith.  "  John  Tompkins,         6 

"  Jedediah  Frost,  9 

' '  James  Anderson,  8 
"  Jeremiah  Anderson,  5 
"David  Sears,  10 

"Elkanah  Hopkins,  9 
"  Samuel  Fuller,  Jr.,    9." 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  445 

The  character  and  ability  of  Mr.  Kent  may  be  inferred  from 
the  length  of  his  ministry,  from  the  popular  appreciation  that 
gave  his  name  to  the  commuaity,  and  from  the  history  of 
his  descendants;  his  son,  Hon.  Moss  Kent,  being  prominent  in 
the  legal  profession  and  influential  in  forming  the  Legislature 
of  the  State,  while  the  name  of  his  grandson,  James  Kent,  the 
illustrious  Chancellor,  must  ever  be  ranked  among  the  foremost 
expounders  of  lawr. 

In  order  to  gather  into  one  fold  those  scattered  churches  that 
were  under  no  ecclesiasiical  judicatory,  Mr.  Kent  formed  the 
first  Presbytery  outside  of  New  York  city.  This  was  known  as 
the  Dutchess  County  Presbytery,  and  the  meeting  to  form  the  or- 
ganization was  held  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Kent,  October  37th,  1762. 
The  ministers  present  besides  himself  were  Rev.  Mr.  Mead,  of 
South  Salem,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Peck,  of  Patterson.  At  what  time 
the  old  log  church  was  abandoned  we  have  no  knowledge,  but 
it  was  previous  to  1761,  as  at  that  time  a  church  was  standing 
near  the  site  of  the  present  one.  After  a  long  and  useful  life, 
Mr.  Kent  passed  to  his  reward,  and  his  tombstone  in  the 
"  Sears  burying  ground,"  near  the  scene  of  his  labors,  bears  the 
following  inscription:  "  In  Memory  of  Revd.  Elisha  Kent  who 
died  July  1776  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age.  Blessed  are  the  dead 
who  die  in  the  Lord." 

By  the  side  of  this  is  the  grave  of  the  partner  of  his  life,  with 
the  inscription,  "  In  memory  of  Abigail  Kent  ye  pious  consort 
of  ye  Revd.  Mr.  Elisha  Kent.  She  died  Janry.  1751,  aged  33 
years.  Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord."  Another 
stone  near  by  bears  the  following:  "'  Here  lies  ye  Body  of  Mrs. 
Hannah  Kent,  wife  to  Moss  Kent  Esqr.  and  daughter  of  Doct. 
Uriah  Rogers  and  Mrs.  Hannah  Rogers.  She  died  happily  on 
ye  30th  of  Decemr.  1771,  in  ye  36  year  of  her  age." 
"  Hark  from  the  tombs  a  doleful  sound 

Each  ear  attend  the  Cry. 

Let  every  one  come  view  the  ground 

Where  you  must  shortly  lie. 

Great  God  is  this  our  eternal  doom. 

And  are  we  still  secure, 

Still  walking  downward  to  the  tomb, 

And  "yet  prepare  no  more.'' 

The  successor  of  Mr.  Kent  was  Rev.  Ichabod  Lewis,  who  was 
ordained  as  a  colleague  of  the  aged  and  infirm  pastor  of  the 
church  in  White  Plains,  October  11th,  1769,   and  he  preached 


446  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

alternately  at  White  Plains  and  Sing  Sing.  After  the  burning 
of  the  church  at  that  place,  Mr.  Lewis  came  to  Southeast  and 
was  installed  pastor  in  1776.  A  document  was  signed  by  Mr. 
Lewis  and  eighty-seven  others,  in  which  they  agreed  as  Chris- 
tian brethren  to  unite  in  the  worship  of  God,  agreeably  to  the 
rules  and  doctrines  of  the  Grospel  as  explained  by  the  Kirk  of 
Scotland,  in  their  confession  of  faith  and  the  larger  and  shorter 
Catechisms,  "  excepting  in  the  instance  of  Congregational  as- 
semblies or  ruling  elders,  in  which  article  we  agree  that  every 
male  member  of  the  church  shall  be  allowed  his  vote." 

The  earliest  records  of  the  church  now  in  existence  are  con- 
tained in  a  well  worn  and  time  stained  book,  recently  discovered, 
from  which  the  following  items  are  taken: 

' '  Memorandum  or  Book  of  Records  containing  the  votes  and 
Transactions  of  the  Society  known  by  the  name  of  the  East 
Society,  in  Dutchess  county  South  Precinct  from  the  14th  of 
April,  in  the  year  1782," 

"  April  14th,  1782.  At  a  Society  meeting  held  at  the  meeting 
house  voted  1  Simeon  Ryder  moderator,  2  voted  that  the  gentle- 
men that  hold  the  deed  that  was  given  for  the  parsonage  give 
Mr.  Lewis  a  deed  of  an  acre  of  land,  Joining  the  road,  on  the 
west  side  of  said  road  at  the  South  east  corner." 

"Voted  that  Theodorus  Crosby,  James  Foster  &  Morten  Hall 
be  a  committee  for  the  present  year." 

"Voted  that  Cap t.  Scribner  take  care  of  the  meeting  house 
and  sweep  it  for  one  year  for  20  shillings." 

"Meeting  held  Dec.  13  1782  Nathaniel  Foster  moderator, 
voted,  Nathan  Paddock,  Berry  Hopkins,  Ebenezer  Benedict 
chosen  Collectors." 

"  At  a  Society  meeting  held  at  the  school  house  Feb.  5  1784 
David  Crosby  moderator.  Voted  that  David  Crosby  Morten 
Hall  David  Paddock  &  Reuben  Crosby  be  chosen  a  committee 
to  collect  and  settle  with  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  yearly  his  salary  until 
others  are  chosen  in  their  places." 

"  Voted  that  Tho.  Paddock,  Theodorus  Crosby,  Jeremiah 
Burgess  and  David  Crosby  be  chosen  a  committee  to  inspect 
the  payment  of  a  sum  of  money  on  the  account  of  the  Parson- 
age." 

"Feb.  9  1784  the  above  committee  met  at  the  house  of  Samuel 
Buys  and  took  up  the  deed  for  the  Parsonage,  which  was  given 
to  Peter  Hall  Simeon  Rider  and  Samuel  Buys.     Said  deed  be- 


TOWJSr    OF    SOUTHEAST.  447 

ing  signed  over,  gave  their  Bond  for  £242,  13s,0  to  indemnify 
them  against  the  bond  for  an  equal  sum  in  the  hands  of  Mrs. 
Margaret  Ogilvie  of  whom  said  Parsonage  was  purchased. 
The  bonds'  are  dated  Sept.  11,  1769,  for  £160  the  second  dated 
Dec.  7,  1769,  for  £82,  15s."  "  We  have  examined  the  books 
and  Papers  relating  to  the  Society,  in  charge  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Buys  &  Co.  and  they  are  hereby  acquitted  and  dischai-ged  of 
their  charge  as  trustees  for  the  Parish  and  the  papers  now  taken 
up  are  deposited  in  charge  and  trust  of  David  Crosby  Jr." 

Prom  various  entries  it  is  learned  that  several  attempts  were 
made  to  induce  Mrs.  Ogilvie  to  remit  the  rent  charged  for  the 
parsonage,  but  with  what  success  does  not  appear. 

"March  10  1784  voted  that  Theodoras  Crosby  sweep  the 
meeting  house  and  see  that  ye  doors  are  kept  shut  for  ye  space 
of  one  year,  for  which  he  is  to  receive  ye  sum  of  30  shillings  to 
be  paid  by  contribution  and  paid  quarterly  7s  6d  per  quarter. 
Nathaniel  Foster  Esq.  is  appointed  to  call  for  contributions  and 
see  that  said  Crosby  is  paid."  The  following  year  "Jeremiah 
Burgess  was  chosen  to  sweep  the  meeting  house  16  times  a  year 
well,  for  3  dollars." 

As  the  ancient  log  meeting  house  made  way  for  the  erection 
of  a  new  frame  building  before  1761,  so  in  process  of  time  it 
became  necessary  to  build  a  third  one  to  accommodate  the  in- 
creasing number  of  worshippers.  The  first  allusion  to  this  is  an 
entry  now  scarcely  legible. 

"At  a  Society  meeting  21  Dec.  1792  proposed  to  build  a 
meeting  house  6  feet  each  way  larger  than  the  present  house, 
agreed  to  25  Pro.  15  Neg.  and  publicly  made  unanimous." 

As  it  was  stated  at  subsequent  meetings  that  the  new  meet- 
ing house  was  to  be  50  feet  long  and  38  feet  broad,  the  above 
may  give  an  idea  as  to  the  size  of  the  former  church.  The  next 
movement  toward  the  building  was  at  a  meeting  January  10th, 
1793,  when  it  was  "voted  that  this  Society  build  a  meeting 
house  to  be  set  at  or  near  the  place  where  the  present  house 
now  stands.  That  the  said  meeting  house  be  50  feet  in  length 
and  38  feet  in  breadth.  That  the  subscriptions  for  the  purpose 
of  building  the  said  house  be  drawn  to  be  paid  one  half  in  cash 
or  building  materials  within  3  months,  and  the  other  half  in  6 
months,  into  the  hands  of  a  committee,  appointed  for  that  pur- 
pose.    Voted  that  Joseph  Crane  Jr.  Esq.,  David  L.  De  Forest 

'  These  bonds  were  security  for  rent. 


448  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  John  Waring  be  a  committee  for  the  purpose  of  harrying 
on  the  said  building."  April  12th  "  voted  that  the  committee 
immediately  proceed  to  order  those  persons  who  have  engaged 
to  get  timber,  as  soon  as  may  be  to  draw  their  timber  together 
and  immediately  proceed  to  build  the  house  agreeably  to  the 
vote  of  10  Jan.  last."  August  16th,  it  was  voted  that  the 
committee  "should  have  liberty  to  take  such  parts  of  the  old 
meeting  house  as  they  might  think  best  for  the  purpose  of 
building  or  finishing  the  new  one."  September  17th,  it  was 
voted  that  "  this  meeting  do  agree  with  the  committee,  to  raise 
by  subscription  including  what  has  already  basn  rais:^i  the  sum 
of  £732, 17s  5d,  good  money  of  the  State  of  New  York,  to  be 
collected  and  paid  by  the  first  day  of  January  next,  provided 
the  committee  shall  and  do  completely  finish  the  said  house  in 
the  manner  following,  viz:  to  paint  the  out  side,  lath  and  plaster 
said  house,  make  a  pulpit  and  to  completely  pew  the  house 
and  hang  the  pew  doors."  That  there  was  a  delay  in  the  work 
is  seen  from  the  following:  November  8th,  1793,  "Whereas  by 
the  misfortune  of  sickness  the  meeting  house  is  not  likely  to 
be  completed,  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  a  subscription 
be  set  on  foot  on  the  same  terms  as  by  the  vote  of  the  17th, 
Sept.  last." 

January  23d,  1794,  an  agreement  was  made  by  which  subscrip- 
tions to  the  amount  of  £741  lis.  were  to  be  delivered  to  Joseph 
Crane  and  David  L.  De  Forest,  payable  on  the  10th  of  June,  on 
condition  that  they  should  finish  the  meeting  house  then  begun  in 
the  following  manner,  viz. :  to  be  painted  on  the  outside,  the  inside 
to  be  properly  pewed,  stairs  and  pulpit  and  canopy  made.  The 
interior  was  to  be  lathed,  plastered  and  whitewashed  or  polished, 
and  the  pew  doors  were  to  be  hung  and  numbered.  This  agree- 
ment was  signed  by  the  following  persons:  Samuel  Hall,  James 
Foster,  Ichabod  Doolittle,  Stephen  Benedict,  Isaac  Crosby,  Seth 
Sears,  Asa  Hoyt,  James  Knapp,  David  Bowlding,  David  Crosby, 
Reuben  Crosby,  Joshua  Barnum,  Noah  Boiiton,  Theodorus 
Crosby,  Tho.  Chapman,  Elkanah  Young,  Enoch  Crosby,  Moss 
Crosby,  John  Penny,  Jacob  Reed,  Morten  Hall,  Nathan  Green, 
Nathaniel  Foster  and  Tho.  Sears. 

The  result  was  that  the  building  was  soon  completed  and  at  a 
meeting  June  10th,  1794,  the  following  vote  was  passed:  "Voted 
unanimously  that  this  Society  are  fully  satisfied.  That  the 
thanks  of  this  meeting  be  given  to  Messrs.  Joseph  Crane  and 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  449 

David  De  Forest,  for  their  generous  and  spirited  exertions  in 
finishing  the  meeting  house  so  fully  for  the  satisfaction  of  this 
Society."  It  was  also  voted  that  the  old  meeting  house  be  sold, 
and.  that  the  pews  be  sold,  at  "public  vendue"  for  one  year. 
This  was  done  and  the  old.  meeting  house  was  sold  to  Noah 
Bouton  for  £8,  and  on  the  16th  of  June,  Crane  and  De  Forest 
gave  their  receipt  for  the  sum  of  £744  13s.  2d.  and  the  work 
was  done. 

In  1787,  it  was  agreed  that  the  parsonage  and  the  right  of  im- 
provement as  tenants  under  Mrs.  Ogilvie  should  be  given  to  Rev. 
Mr.  Lewis,  and  that  his  salary  should  be  £90  a  year.  Mr.  Lewis 
continued  the  pastor  till  the  time  of  his  death,  but  for  the  last 
few  years  of  his  life  his  health  was  so  feeble  as  to  incapacitate 
him  for  service.  He  died  April  8th,  1793,  at  the  early  age  of  49. 
His  wife,  Abigail,  survived  him  and  died  July  1st,  1798,  aged 
55,  and  their  tombstones  are  in  the  old  Sears  burying  ground. 

The  third  pastor  was  Rev.  Jehu  Minor,  who  came  to  this  town 
from  Southbury,  Conn.,  about  1791,  and  an  agreement  fixing 
his  salary  at  £95  pounds  per  annum  is  dated  January  11th, 
1792,  and  he  was  installed  in  February  the  same  year;  his  pred- 
ecessor, Mr.  Lewis,  resigning  all  care  of  the  church  into  his 
hands.  Mr.  Minor  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of  good  ability 
and  of  very  amiable  manners.  His  long  pastorate  of  forty 
years  was  closed  by  his  death.  His  tombstone  in  the  Sears 
bnrying  ground,  bears  the  following: 

"  In  memory  of  the  Rev.  Jehu  Minor,  who  died  July  5th, 
1808,  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  40th  .of  the  ministry. 
Having  a  mind  illuminated  with  divine  views,  and  discriminat- 
ing in  religious  aifections,  he  preached  the  Gospel  in  its  purity, 
with  fervor  and  fidelity.  A  comfort  to  saints  and. an  ornament 
to  the  churches." 

The  fourth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Bradford  Marcy,  who  was 
ordained  June  4th,  1809.  He  had  preached  here  for  some  time 
previous,  the  agreement  being  that  his  salary  should  be  "  all 
the  money  he  could  get  subscribed."  It  seems  that  the  amount 
did  not  equal  his  expectations  and  his  pastorate  closed  in  July, 
1810. 

The  fifth  pastor  was  Rev.  Joel  Osborne,  who  received  a  call 
February  11th,  1812,  after  having  jjreached  for  some  time  pre- 
viously. His  salary  was  $400.  This  was  raised  with  difHculty, 
and  in  a  communication  May  30th,  1814,  Mr.  Osborne  stated  his 
29 


450  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

conviction  that  ''  he  was  not  the  man  to  buiW  them  up  and  that 
it  would  be  better  to  establish  their  salary,  and  get  another 
man."  For  a  while  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Purdy 
and  he  was  succeeded  in  1816,  by  Rev.  Joshua  Spaulding,  who 
preached  for  some  time  and  declined  a  call,  but  was  induced  to 
stay  a  year,  and  on  April  27th,  1818,  he  was  requested  to  re- 
main another  year.  He  remained  till  1822,  and  while  on  a  visit 
to  Albany  was  stricken  with  paralysis,  from  which  he  never 
recovered.  He  died  in  Newburgh,  where  his  son  resided,  Sep- 
tember 26th,  1825.  Mr.  Spaulding  was  the  compiler  of  a  little 
book  of  Hymns,  which  was  one  of  the  first  in  use.  He  was  the 
author  of  two  large  volumes  on  "  The  Divine  Theory,"  and  of  a 
volume  of  lectures  on  the  "Second  coming  of  Christ."  He 
was  a  man  of  many  peculiarities  but  of  great  goodness  of 
heart. 

For  a  while  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Rev.  Mr.  Saunders 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Hicock.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Marcus  Har- 
rison, who  was  installed  in  1825,  but  resigned  March  29th,  1826. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bucknall  was  then  hired  for  a  year  but  was  released 
October  16th.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Abraham  Ogier  Stans- 
bury,  who  was  called  May  7th,  1827.  He  was  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, and  though  a  gentleman  of  exalted  qualities,  his  manners 
were  not  such  as  to  ingratiate  him  with  the  class  of  people 
among  which  he  was  called  to  serve.  His  pastorate  ended  with 
his  life,  and  his  monument  in  the  village  burying  ground  bears 
the  following  Latin  epitaph: 

"  S'ub  Hoc  Saxo  Vocem  ArcTiangeli placide  expectans,  requiescit, 
quod  solum  mortale  fuit,  Abraham,  Ogier  Siansbury  V.  D.  M. 
Hujus  Ecclesiae  quondam  pastor  is.     Ingenio  prompto  acri   ar 
denti  fervido,  verum  tantum  justumque  intento.      In  amicos 
blandus facilis fuit,  erga  omnes  benemlens. 

' '  Surdis  et  mutis  mentes  inclusas,  diligenter  excoluit.  Artem 
{machinalem  presertim)  scienter  exornavit.  Evangelium 
Christi  orefacundopromulgavit.  Hoc  etiam  divitiis  in  terra 
longinqua  oblatis  protulerit.  Morbo  confectus,  laboribusque 
elapsus,  obiit  XXX  Apr.  MDCCCXXIX.  Anno,  aetatis  LIII. 
Hoc  monument  um  (Jieu  fragile)  posuit  moestissima  conjux.'''' 

"Beneath  this  stone,  calmly  awaiting  the  voice  of  the  Arch- 
angel, rests  what  alone  was  mortal  of  Abraham  Ogier  Stans- 
bury.  Minister  of  the  word  of  God,  formerly  pastor  of  this 
church.    Endowed   with  a  prompt,   active,  ardent  and  fervid. 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  451 

mind,  intent  alike  on  truth  and  justice.  Kind  and  pleasant  to 
his  friends,  open  and  placable  towards  enemies,  and  benevo- 
lent to  all." 

A  diligent  instructor  of  the  deaf  and  dumb;  especially  skilled 
in  mechanic  art;  and  with  eloquent  voice  he  preached  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  He  also  brought  to  light  riches  long  hidden 
in  the  earth.  Afflicted  with  disease  and  worn  out  with  labor,  he 
died  on  the  30th  day  of  April,  1829,  in  the  53d  year  Of  his  age. 
This  monument  (alas,  how  fragile)  is  erected  by  his  weeping 
wife. ' ' 

This  epitaph  is  said  to  have  been  written  by  Rev.  M.v.  McLeod. 
Mr.  Stansbury  was  the  patentee  of  several  inventions,  among 
others  a  lock.  He  was  also  skilled  in  mineralogy  an  endeavored 
to  introduce  improved  methods  of  agriculture.  His  will  men- 
tions no  children. 

On  the  4th  day  of  March,  1829,  a  call  was  given  to  Rev.  Robert 
B.  E.  McLeod.  He  was  born  of  Scotch  parents,  in  the  city  of 
Albany,  and  his  early  ministry  was  in  the  South.  For  twenty 
years  Mr.  McLeod  was  the  pastor  of  this  church  and  here  he 
ended  his  days.  A  painful  disease  bore  him  to  his  grave  after  long 
years  of  suffering.  He  rests  with  so  many  of  his  predecessors. 
His  tombstone  bears  the  following:  "Rev.  Robert  B.  E.  Mc- 
Leod, for  twenty  years  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Southeast,  died  August  23d,  1856,  aged  67  years." 

After  the  decease  of  Mr..  McLeod,  the  pulpit  was  supplied 
by  Rev.  M.  J.  Adams  from  September  14th,  1856,  to  April,  1859. 
In  May  of  the  latter  year  Rev.  George  P.  Goodhue  came  and 
preached  as  stated  supply  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred November  8th,  1865,  in  the  44th  year  of  his  age,  having 
been  born  June  16th,  1821.  His  tombstone  is  with  those  of  his 
worthy  predecessors  in  the  Sears  burying  ground. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Oliver  H.  Hempstead,  who  preached 
for  a  few  months,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Roswell  D. 
Smith,  who  was  pastor  from  1865  to  1870,  when,  owing  to  ill 
health,  he  retired  from  the  ministry,  and  at  the  present  time 
is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  New  York.  The 
ministry  of  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  Edward  B.  Allen,  began 
April  22d,  1871. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  first  church  edifice  in 
the  town  was  the  ancient  log  meeting  house  built  before  1745, 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  James  Barnes,  near  Dykeman's 


452  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Station.  The  first  intimation  of  a  church  at  Doansburg  is 
contained  in  an  old  deed  found  among  the  Philipse  papers, 
by  which  "Israel  Cole  of  the  South  Precinct"  releases  to 
Reuben  Crosby  "  all  that  certain  tract  of  land  on  the  west  side 
of  the  public  road  leading  from  the  meeting  house  in  the 
Eastern  Society  to  the  Quaker  hill,  being  part  of  the  farm  now 
in  possession  of  said  Israel  Cole.  Bounded  east  by  the  pub- 
lic road.  North  by  Elijah  Tompkins  west  by  Joshua  Crosby 
and  Joseph  Vickery's  farm,  and  South  by  Thomas  Paddock's 
farm,  containing  50  acres."     March  7th,  1761. 

This  farm  is  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  of  Patterson. 
This  building  continued  till  1794,  when  the  present  church  was 
built.  The  site  of  the  old  church  is  two  or  three  rods  north  of  it. 
The  church, however, was  undoubtedly  built  here  as  early  as  1754. 

In  the  records  quoted  above  it  appears  that  the  society  held  a 
farm  by  lease  from  Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie,  widow  of  Philip 
Philipse,  and  in  1787  the  society  gave  to  Rev.  Ichabod  Lewis 
the  right  of  improvement  of  this  farm  as  tenant  of  Mrs.  Ogilvie. 
This  farm  is  now  the  homestead  of  the  heirs  of  Lyman  Sher- 
wood. It  was  sold  to  Jehiel  Sherwood,  by  James  Porter,  June 
2d,  1797.  The  deed  states  that  he  "is  seized  of  fee  simple  of 
the  tract "  and  conveys  "  All  that  certain  parcel  of  land  lying 
in  Southeast  town  and  a  part  of  the  farm  formerly  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Rev.  Ichabod  Lewis  beginning  at  a  stake  west  of 
the  road  in  the  former  dividing  line  between  Morris  and  Philipse 
Short  Lots,  and  running  thence  south  88  degrees  west  32  chains: 
Thence  north  2  degrees  east  10  chains  65  links:  thence  South 
88^  degrees  East  31  chains  60  links  to  the  road  :  thence  south 
along  the  road  to  the  place  of  beginning  containing  31  acres." 

This  farm  was  doubtless  purchased  from  Mrs.  Ogilvie  by 
James  Porter,  as  a  mortgage  on  the  farm  given  by  him  to  her^ 
is  on  record  dated  November  7th,  1796. 

April  9th,  1819,  the  trustees  reported  to  a  meeting  that  they 
had  purchased  for  a  parsonage  "  the  place  on  which  Mr.  Spauld- 
ing  now  lives,  about  six  acres,  for  $700."  A  committee  ap- 
pointed to  examine  it  reported  February  13th,  1821,  in  favor  of 
building  a  new  house,  "to  be  built  the  size  of  Archibald 
Young's'  house."  This  place  continued  in  the  possession  of  the 

'  The  house  of  Archibald  Youngs  stood  where  Elijah  Budd  now  lives  south  of 
Doansburg.  The  house  which  the  trustees  purchased  was  the  house  in  which. 
Chancellor  Kent  was  born.    The  deed,  however,  is  unrecorded  and  lost. 


TOWN   OF  SOUTHEAST.  453 

church  until  April  18th,  1864,  when  it  was  sold  to  David 
Bedell,  who  sold  it  with  other  lands  adjoining  on  the  south  to 
Benjamin  Benedict,  March  31st,  1868.  He  sold  it  to  Le  Ray 
Barnum  December  31st,  1870,  and  it  now  belongs  to  his  son, 
Frederick  S.  Barnum,  Esq.  The  house  is  close  to  the  line  be- 
tween this  lot  and  the  lot  of  Abraham  Sherwood  next  north, 
which  he  bought  of  James  Crosby.  The  present  parsonage 
south  of  the  burying  ground  was  bought  of  John  M.  Higgins, 
July  18th,  1870. 

This  church  was  at  first  known  as  the  "Eastern  Society  of 
the  South  Precinct,"  but  after  its  incorpcJration  it  was  called 
the  " Union  Society  of  Southeast."  It  was  Presbyterian  until 
1809,  when  it  became  Congregational,  and  changed  to  Presby- 
ferianism  again,  April  26th,  1826.  It  was  also  known  in  early 
days  as  the  "East  Church  of  Philippi." 

The  church  was  greatly  damaged  by  fire  March  5th,  1830,  and 
was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $1,115.  Among  the  benefactors  of  the 
cliurch  should  be  mentioned  Zenas  and  Benjamin  Doane,  who 
each  left  it  $500. 

Dtkeman's  Station. — This  ncSighborhood  takes  its  name  from 
the  Dykeman  family,  who  were  early  settlers  and  descended 
from  Capt.  Joseph  Dykeman,  who  came  from  G-ermany.  He 
was  an  officer  in  the  Revolution  and  was  the  owner  of  the  place 
where  Mr.  Lewis  G.  Robinson  now  lives,  in  the  town  of  Kent, 
close  to  the  Patterson  town  line.  He  married  for  his  first  wife 
a  Miss  Judd.  His  second  wife  was  Elizabeth  Smith,  of  Ridge- 
held.  Captain  Dykeman  died  in  1822,  at  the  age  of  85,  and  his 
tombstone  may  be  seen  in  the  little  cemetery  at  Drewville.  His 
children  were:  Hezekiah,  Joseph,  Peter,   Aaron,   Ezra,   Daniel, 

Benjamin,   Phebe  (wife  of   Grifford),   Elizabeth  (wife  of 

Andrew  Robinson),  Abigail  (wife  of  Zebulon  Washburn),  Eu- 
nice, Anna  and  Ruhama  (wife  of  Martin  Robinson).  The  old 
homestead  was  sold  to  Moses  Robinson  who  conveyed  it  to 
George  Robinson,  and  it  now  belongs  to  his  son,  Lewis  G.  Rob- 
inson. The  land  around  Dykeman' s  Station  was  owned  by 
Peter,  Ezra,  Joseph  and  Hezekiah  Dykeman,  who  had  farms 
amounting  in  all  to  357  acres,  which  tract  was  bounded  b3^  the 
north  line  of  Lot  8,  of  Philipse  Patent,  and  a  large  part  is  now 
owned  by  their  descendants.  Joseph  Dykeman  married  Azuba 
Baker,  and  had  children,  Jesse,  John  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of 


454  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Asa  Robinson.  John  was  the  father  of  Hon.  Jackson  O.  Dyk- 
man.  Hezekiah  owned  the  farm  near  the  station,  now  owned 
by  his  great-grandson,  Junia  Dykeman.  Peter" s  children  were: 
Jndson,  Nathan  C.  and  James  B.,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Legislature  in  1872.  He  lived  on  the  farm  in  Carmel  now  owned 
by  Clark  Lewis.  Ezra's  children  were:  Amos,  Jarvis,  Laura, 
wife  of  William  Mabie,  and  Rachel,  wife  of  Russell  Howes. 
Benjamin's  children  were:  Benjamin,  Priscilla,  wife  of  James 
Baker,  and  Isaac,  who  had  a  farm  near  Towner's  Station,  now 
owned  by  his  son  George  W.  Dykeman,  who  married  Louisa, 
daughter  of  Martin  Robinson. 

Baptist  Church  at  I)ykeman's  Station. — This  society 
was  organized  in  February,  1867,  and  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  build  a  church  on  a  lot  which  was  given  by  Junia  W.  Dyke- 
man.  The  building  was  completed  and  dedicated  December 
22d,  1868,  and  the  society  was  admitted  to  the  association  Au- 
gust 17th,  1872.  The  original  members  were:  Nathan  Dyke- 
man,  Phebe  Dykeman,  Adella  Dean,  John  Bell,  Ann  Bell,  Polly 
Holmes,  Emma  Dykeman,  Emma  Myers,  Coles  B.  Fowler  and 
Robert  Peck.  Rev.  G.  J.  Gowan  was  the  principal  means  of 
getting  the  church  established.  There  has  been  as  yet  no  settled 
pastor,  the  pulpit  being  supplied  by  the  neighboring  ministers. 
In  1882,  Mr.  Amos  C.  Dykeman  died  and  in  his  will  left  his 
farm  to  the  church  after  the  death  of  his  wife  who  is  still  living. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


TOWN  OF  SOUTHEAST  (Concluded.) 


Village  of  Brewster.— Savings  Bank.— Croton  River  Bank.— First  National  Bank. 
—Fires  and  Fire  District. — Newspapers. — Emerson  W.  Addis. — Borden  Con- 
densed Milk  Factory.— Brewster  Hill.— Methodist  Church.— St.  Andrew's 
Church. — Baptist  Church. — Roman  Catholic  Church. — Societies. — Iron 
Mines.— Croton  Reservoir.— Descendants  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent. — Enoch 
Crosby.— The  Doane  Family.— Daniel  Drew.— The  Theall  Family.— Gen, 
James  Ryder.— Samuel  H.  Everett.— Daniel  W.  Dykeman.— The  Brewster 
Family.— The  Howes  Family.— Joshua  Barnum.— Morgan  Horton. — John  T. 
Waring.— Levi  H.  Roberts.— The  Reed  Family.— Charles  E.  Everett. 


THE  land  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  village 
of  Brewster  consists  of  a  farm  which  was  sold  by  the 
commissioners  of  forfeiture  to  Peleg  Bailey,  in  1781.  A  por- 
tion of  it  afterward  passed  into  the  possession  of  Bailey 
Howes,  his  grandson,  who  sold  98  acres  to  Grilbert  Bailey,  April 
1st,  183B.  Two  other  tracts  -containing  39  acres  were  sold  to 
Gilbert  Bailey,  by  William  P.  Downs  and  Frederick  Parks,  in 
1838. 

On  the  17th  of  February,  1848,  Gilbert  Bailey  sold  the  whole 
tract,  estimated  at  184  acres,  to  James  and  Walter  P.  Brewster, 
for  the  sum  of  $8,000.  As  early  as  1845,  the  Brewsters  con- 
templated buying  this  tract,  on  account  of  an  iron  mine  which 
was  located  there,  and  also  for  the  water  power  of  the  stream 
which  bounds  it  on  the  west.  At  the  time  of  the  purchase, 
the  Harlem  Railroad  was  finished  and  trains  were  running  as 
far  as  the  Croton  Falls.  The  road  was  surveyed  as  far  as 
Pawling,  and  the  prospect  of  its  being  continued  to  that  point 
seemed  certain,  and  to  the  new  purchasers  of  the  farm  it  seemed 
just  the  place  for  a  station.  The  farm  itself  was  a  very  ordi- 
nary one  and  the  price  given  was  considered  its  full  value.  The 
only  highway  then  was  the  main  road  from  Carmel  to  South- 
east Center  (or  Sodom  as  it  was  more  generally  known),  and  on 


456  IIISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

this  road  was  the  house  of  Gilbert  Bailey,  where  the  residence 
of  Henry  Brush  now  stands.  Prom  this  house  a  road  ran  to 
the  lower  bridge  on  the  Croton,  but  it  was  not  much  used.  The 
next  nearest  house  stood  on  the  road  to  Carmel,  in  the  rear 
of  the  new  Presbyterian  church  and  was  owned  by  Harry 
Bailey.  The  next  was  also  Harry  Bailey's  and  stood  where  the 
brick  house  now  stands  at  the  west  end  of  the  bridge  over  the 
Harlem  Railroad.  Another  house  stood  on  the  road  to  the 
lower  bridge  over  the  Croton,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  where  the 
house  of  Dennis  Sullivan  now  stands.  This  belonged  to  Philip 
Mead,  and  these  were  the  only  houses  in  the  vicinity  at  that  time. 
The  iron  mine  on  this  farm  was  first  opened  by  Frederick 
Parks,  about  eighty  years  ago,  and  as  soon  as  the  Brewsters 
took  possession  they  reopened  the  mine  in  the  rear  of  where 
the  Brewster  House  now  stands,  and  took  out  300  tons  of  ore 
during  the  next  two  years.  Three  years  later  they  sold  all  their 
mineral  rights  to  the  Harvey  Steel  and  Iron  Company  for  $400, 
and  they  worked  this  mine  extensively  and  also  one  on  the  hill 
near  the  depot,  but  ceased  operations  at  the  end  of  four  years. 
The  Harlem  Railroad  was  finished  to  this  place  in  1849,  and  the 
depot  was  built  in  that  year,  and  vs^hat  is  now  the  Main  street 
was  opened,  for  the  purpose  of  allowing  the  stages  from  Dan- 
bury  to  come  to  the  station.  Previous  to  this  the  firm  of  Crosby 
&  l)e  Forest  had  run  a  line  of  four  horse  stages  to  Croton  Falls, 
from  Danbury.  The  first  new  house  in  the  place  was  built  by 
Walter  F.  Brewster,  in  1850,  and  stood  in  front  of  the  present 
Methodist  church.  It  is  now  owned  by  Mrs  Virginia  B.  Little. 
The  next  building  was  a  screw  factory,  which  stood  a  few 
rods  south  of  the  depot  and  on  the  present  site  of  the  First 
National  Bank.  This  was  run  about  five  years,  and  was  then 
changed  to  a  hotel  and  used  for  that  purpose  three  years, 
when  it  was  removed,  and  it  is  now  a  part  of  F.  E.  Foster's 
store.  In  1860  the  Brewster  House  was  built,  and  it  is  now  one  of 
the  two  principal  hotels  of  the  village.  The  first  store  was  built  by 
Edward  Howes,  and  stood  nearly  opposite  the  Brewster  House. 
It  was  opened  May  29th,  1850,  and  was  kept  by  J.  Fowler 
Frost,  who  come  from  Purdy's  Station,  in  Westchester  county. 
He  continued  the  business  for  five  years  and  then  sold  out  to 
Walter  F.  Brewster.  At  this  time  the  place  began  to  increase, 
and  lots  were  sold  and  houses  put  lap  at  the  rate  of  six  or 
seven  a  year,  and  in  1865  there  was  quite  a  village.     In  1859,  a 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  457 

wool  hat  factory  was  started  by  William  C.  Waring,  and  he 
was  succeeded  in  the  business  by  Charles  W.  Budd,  who  died 
August  3d,  1871.  The  building  was  burned,  and  in  1874,  a  new 
firm,  consisting  of  Smith  G.  Hunt,  Col.  Stephen  Baker  and 
James  A.  Peck,  began  business  in  the  grist  mill  purchased  of 

A.  B.  Marvin. 

In  accordance  with  an  Act  passed  March  30th,  1867,  a  Town 
Hall  was  built  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  $25,000,  and  by  Act  of  Legis- 
lature, March  16th,  1870,  the  supervisors  of  the  town,  with  Ed- 
ward Howes  and  Francis  E.  Foster  as  commissioners,  were 
authorized  to  construct  a  suitable  lockup  in  the  hall,  and  to 
borrow  the  sum  of  $5,000  for  that  purpose. 

The  "  Croton  River  Bank  "  was  organized  March  15th,  1856, 
the  capital  being  "1000  shares  of  $100  each,"  the  stockholders 
being  Thomas  Drew,  Silas  Mead,  Charles  W.  Hine,  Hiram  Starr, 
William  F.  Fowler,  Isaac  Kelley  and  James  E.  Kelley.  This 
institution  continued  as  a  State  bank  till  1864,  when  it  became 
a  national  bank  with  a  capital  of  $200,000,  and  continued  as 
such  for  several  years,  but  by  a  vote  of  its  stockholders  it  was 
closed  about  1876.  Its  officers  were  James  E.  Kelley,  president, 
and  F.  E.  Foster,  cashier. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Brewster'  was  organized  under 
the  national  bank  act  February  15th,  1875,  succeeding  to  the 
banking  business  formerly  conducted  by  John  Gr.  Borden  and 
Frank  Wells  under  the  firm  name  of  ''Borden,  Wells  &  Co." 
The  incorporators  were  John  G.  Borden,  Frank  Wells,  George 

B.  Mead,  jr.,  John  S.  Eno,  Samuel  W.  Church  and  B.  F.  Graves. 
Authority  to  commence  business  as  a  national  bank  was  con- 
ferred by  the  comptroller  of  the  currency  February  23d,  1876. 
The  first  directors  were  John  G.  Borden,  Frank  Wells,  George 
B.  Mead.  Jr.,  John  S.  Eno  and  B.  F.  Graves.  Charles  Denton 
and  Ahaz  S.  Mygatt  were  added  to  the  board  in  1876  and  Mr. 
A.  F.  Lobdell  in  1878.  Mr.  Graves  resigned  in  1876  and  Mr. 
Mygatt  died  in  1882.  The  other  gentlemen  have  been  continu- 
ally in  office  and  constitute  the  present  board  of  directors. 
Mr.  John  G.  Borden  was  the  first  president  of  the  bank  and 
continued  in  office  until  May,  1885,  when,  owing  to  his  removal 
from  the  county,  he  was  unable  to  give  the  position  the  care  it 
deserved.  His  resignation  was  accepted  and  Mr.  Charles  Den 
ton  was  elected  to  succeed  him.     Mr.  Borden  still  retains  his 

'  The  sketch  of  this  bank  was  contributed  by  Frank  Wells. 


458  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

large  holdings  of  the  stock  and  his  position  on  the  board  of 
directors.  In  1881  George  B.  Mead,  jr.,  was  elected  vice-presi- 
dent and  is  still  in  office.  Frank  Wells  has  been  the  cashier 
of  the  bank  since  its  organization. 

The  business  of  the  bank  was  at  first  conducted  in  the  brick 
building  then  standing  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Park  streets 
and  owned  by  L.  H.  Roberts.  In  the  destructive  fire  which 
occurred  on  the  evening  of  February  23d,  1880,  the  building  was 
destroyed  and  the  bank  opened  for  business  on  the  following  day 
in  the  office  and  with  the  fixtures  formerly  occupied  and  owned 
by  the  Croton  River  National  Bank  of  Southeast,  and  located  in 
the  brick  block  owned  by  the  estate  of  Nathan  A.  Howes.  On 
the  second  day  following  the  fire  the  safe  was  recovered  from 
the  ruins  and  books  and  securities  were  found  iininjured. 

The  present  banking  house  was  erected  in  the  winter  of  1885-6. 
It  is  28  by  40  feet  and  one  story  in  height.  The  walls  are  of 
Mine  Hill  granite  up  to  and  including  the  window  sill  course 
and  above  that  Philadelphia  brick.  The  granite  walls  are 
eighteen  inches  thick  and  the  brick  walls  one  foot.  It  has 
large  fire  proof  vaults,  burglar  proof  and  special  deposit  safes 
and  is  a  convenient  edifice  for  the  use  for  which  it  was  intended. 

In  1871,  the  ^Putnam  County  Savings  Bank  was  incorporated, 
the  trustees  being  Augustus  D.  Slasson,  Le  Ray  Barnum,  War- 
ren S.  Paddock,  Charles  W.  Budd,  James  Haviland,  William 
F.  Fowler,  Ahaz  S.  Mygatt,  Coleman  K.  Townsend,  Thatcher 
H.  Theall,  Samuel  A.  Townsend,  James  R.  Kelley,  Thomas 
Drew,  Odle  Close,  Lawrence  McKenna,  Joshua  L.  Dean,  Agus- 
tus  S.  Doane,  William  T.  Granung,  Jesse  Haviland,  Daniel  W. 
Dykeman,  George  Hine  and  Morgan  Horton.  This  institution 
still  exists  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

On  the  night  of  February  23d,  1880,  a  disastrous  fire  started 
two  doors  east  of  the  Town  Hall,  in  a  building  owned  by  Alex- 
ander F.  Lobdell,  and  occupied  by  Edward  Stone  as  a  clothing 
store.  The  Town  Hall,  with  the  early  records,  was  burned  and 
also  the  office  of  the  "Standard"  newspaper.  The  Town  Hall 
was  soon  rebuilt. 

A  second  fire  took  place  November  6th,  1882.  This  started 
in  the  feed  mills  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  former  hat  fac- 
tory and  were  occupied  by  Warren  S.  Paddock  &  Co.  By  this 
fire  the  Town  Hall  was  again  burned,  also  several  other  build- 
ings, the  loss  being  estimated  at  $34,000. 


TOWN   OP   SOUTHJiAST.  459 

An  "  Act  to  establish  a  fire  district'  in  the  village  pf  Brews- 
ter" was  passed  bj'^  the  board  of  supervisors  in  December,  1881. 
The  bounds  of  the  district  then  established  are  as  follows  : 

"  Commencing  at  the  passenger  depot  of  the  New  York  and 
Harlem  Railroad  Company;  thence  running  northerly  along  the 
west  line  of  the  lands  of  the  New  York  and  Harlem  Railroad 
Company  to  the  north  line  of  the  New  York  City  and  Northern 
Railroad  Company;  thence  running  easterly  along  the  north 
line  of  the  lands  of  the  New  York  City  and  Northern  Railroad 
Company  to  the  easterly  line  of  the  lands  of  the  New  York  and 
New  England  Railroad  Company;  thence  running  easterly  along 
the  easterly  line  of  the  lands  of  the  New  York  and  New  England 
Railroad  Company  to  the  railroad  bridge  over  the  highway 
leading  from  Brewsters  to  Southeast  Center;  thence  running 
southerly  along  the  said  highway  to  the  highway  bridge  over 
the  Croton  River,  near  the  Condensed  Milk  Factory;  thence 
running  southerly  along  Croton  River  to  the  highway  leading 
from  Brewsters  to  Turk  Hill;  thence  running  westerly  and 
northerly  along  said  highway  and  Railroad  avenue  to  said  pas- 
senger depot  and  place  of  beginning." 

The  first  meeting  of  resident  taxpayers  of  the  district  was 
held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  March,  1882,  and  the  following 
officers  were  elected  :  President,  Stephen  T.  McMahon;  secre- 
tary, Emerson  W.  Addis;  treasurer,  Frank  Wells;  trustees, 
Francis  E.  Foster,  Abram  J.  Miller,  Philip  Diehl. 

The  taxable  property  within  the  district  is  valued  at  about 
$850,000.  The  annual  appropriation  is  about  $1,000.  The  dis- 
trict property  consists  of  an  engine  house,  a  hand  engine,  hook 
and  ladder  truck,  hose  carts,  etc.  A  steam  fire  engine  to  cost 
$3,200  has  been  ordered.  Water  is  supplied  by  cisterns  con- 
taining about  20,000  gallons  of  water  each. 

The  present  officers  are :  President,  Abram  J.  Miller;  vice- 
president,  Edwin  W.  Dixon;  secretary,  Emerson  W.  Addis; 
treasurer,  Frank  Wells;  trustees,  Alfred  Armstrong,  Silas  O. 
Avery,  Philip  Diehl. 

The  first  newspaper  in  the  place  was  the  "  Brewster  Gazette," 
which  was  established  in  1869,  by  H.  A.  Fox.  It  was  succeeded 
by  the  "Brewster  Standard  "  November  5th,  1871,  the  editors 
being  H.  A.  Fox  and  0.  H.  Miller.     It  was  changed  to  "  Put- 

'  This  sketch  of  Brewster  Fire  District  was  contributed  by  Emerson  W. 
Addis. 


460  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

nam  County  Standard"  in  April,  1874,  and  was  then  conducted 
by  Frank  Wells  and  Emerson  W.  Addis.  Mr.  Addis,  who  is 
now  the  editor,  has  raised  the  paper  to  a  high  degree  of  popu- 
larity and  it  has  a  wide- spread  influence  as  the  organ  of  the  re- 
publican party. 

Emerson  Wesley  Addis  was  born  in  Litchfield,  Conn., 
October  13th,  1853.  He  became  an  apprentice  in  the  office  of 
the  "  Litchfield  Enquirer  "  in  1865.  He  was  a  job  printer  at 
Hutchinson's,  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  1868,  and  in  the  office  of 
the  "  Danbury  News,"  at  Danbury,  Conn.,  in  1869-70.  From 
1871  to  1873  he  was  editor  of  the  "Journal,"  New  Milford, 
Conn.  In  1874  he  was  for  a  short  time  engaged  as  foreman  and 
in  local  work  on  the  "Times,"  Appleton,  Wis.  He  was  local 
editor  and  foreman  of  the  "Brewster  Standard,"  under  the 
management  of  Frank  Wells,  from  May  1st,  1874  to  April  1st, 
1877.  He  continued  in  f.he  same  capacity  under  the  manage- 
ment of  John  G.  Borden  from  April  1st,  1877,  until  April  1st, 
1880.  when  he  purchased  the  "Standard  "  of  Mr.  Borden,  and 
has  since  been  its  editor  and  proprietor. 

Borden  Condensed  Milk  Factory. — The  site  of  this  fac- 
tory, which  is  on  the  Croton  River  at  the  east  end  of  the  village 
of  Brewster,  was  formerly  owned  by  Zenas  and  Demas  Doane 
and  afterward  by  Zenas  D.  Storm,  who  had  a  saw  mill  and  grist 
mill  on  the  stream.  This  mill  site,  with  three  acres  of  land 
"  bounded  south  by  the  old  Croton  River  Turnpike,"  was  sold 
by  him  to  Jeremiah  Millbank  October  12th,  1863,  and  he  sold  it 
to  the  "Borden  Condensed  Milk  Company"  December  13th, 
1865.  Another  tract  was  bought  of  Zenas  D.  Storm,  which  ran 
"  to  the  old  road  leading  to  the  Croton  Turnpike  and  near  the 
site  of  the  old  Methodist  Church." 

The  "Borden  Condensed  Milk  Company  "  was  incorporated 
January  28th,  1864.     The  partners  were  Gail  Borden,  jr'.,  Jere- 

'Gail  Borden  was  born  in  Norwich,  N.  Y.  When  a  young  man  he  went  to 
Texas  and  engaged  in  the  war  of  independence.  He  was  afterward  appointed 
Mayor  of  Galveston  by  Governor  Houston.  In  1853,  he  invented  the  plan  for 
condensing  milk,  but  had  great  difficulty  in  getting  a  patent  and  expended  all 
his  money  in  the  effort.  He  finally  succeeded,  and  formed  the  "  New  York  Con- 
densed Milk  Company,"  the  first  factory  being  at  Wassaic,  Dutchess  county. 
The  war  brought  an  unlimited  demand  for  his  products  and  in  a  short  time  he 
became  a  millionaire.  He  was  a  man  of  unselfish  mind  and  very  benevolent. 
He  died  in  Texas  January  11th,  1874,  aged  73.  His  remains  were  brought  home 
and  now  rest  in  Woodlawn  Cemetery. 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  461 

miali  Millbank  and  Elnathan  W.  Fyler,  and  the  capital  $30,000. 
The  company  erected  extensive  works  and  a  large  business  has 
been  carried  on  till  the  present  time.  June  2Bd,  1876,  the  com- 
pany conveyed  the  premises  to  the  "New  York  Condensed 
Milk  Company."  The  buildings  have  been  greatly  extended, 
and  30,000  quarts  of  milk  are  condensed  daily,  the  business 
employing  a  large  number  of  hands,  while  the  products  are  sent 
to  all  parts  of  the  world. 

A  person  who  visits  this  factory  is  struck  by  the  absolute 
neatness  everywhere  apparent.  Every  portion  of  the  business 
is  conducted  within  the  building,  including  the  manufacture  of 
the  tin  cans  in  which  the  prepared  article  is  placed  and  sealed 
up  ready  for  market. 

On  the  death  of  Gail  Borden  the  management  and  develop- 
ment of  his  large  interests  in  this  county  and  elsewhere  de- 
volved upon  his  son,  John  Gail  Borden,  who  succeeded  to  the 
presidency  of  the  company,  and  continued  to  direct  the  three 
large  manufacturing  enterprises  with  which  his  father  had  been 
connected.  In  1885,  ill  health  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his 
persistent  labor.  It  was  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  John 
Borden  that  the  present  factory  at  Brewster  was  erected  in  1879, 
and  his  inventive  genius  and  energy  have  developed  many  valu- 
able mechanical  aids  in  the  business.  As  a  public  spirited  citi-. 
zen  he  left  behind  him,  when  he  removed  to  Ulster  county  in 
1881,  a  place  not  easily  filled.  His  large  benefactions  have 
helped  to  complete  the  present  school  house,  the  town  hall  and 
Baptist  church,  and  his  aid  was  given  to  every  good  work  and 
brought  comfort  to  many  a  needy  household. 

Mr.  John  S.  Bno,  the  superintendent  of  the  factory,  was  born 
in  Colebrook,  Litchfield  county.  Conn.  When  very  young  he 
went  with  his  parents  to  Pennsylvania  where  he  remained  till 
1863.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Brewster  as  an  employe  in  the 
factory,  and  was  appointed  superintendent  in  1870.  His  pecu- 
liar skill  and  eminent  fitness  for  the  position  are  universally 
acknowledged  and  to  him  in  no  small  degree,  is  owing  the  suc- 
cess of  the  enterprise. 

Brewster  Hill. — North  of  the  village  of  Brewster  and  on 
the  east  side  of  Lake  Tonetta  is  an  elevated  ridge  of  land.  It 
takes  its  name  from  Samuel  Brewster,  who  came  to  the  town 
from  Rockland  county  about  1820.  His  father,  Samuel  Brews- 
ter, was  a  prominent  citizen  and  an  extensive  land  owner  in 


462  HISTORY   OV   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Rockland  and  Orange  counties,  and  resided  near  Stony  Point, 
where  he  died  November  29th,  1824,  at  the  age  of  80.  His  son, 
Samuel,  was  born  May  14th,  1786,  and  came  to  this  county  and 
bought  the  place  on  Brewster  Hill  where  his  son  Samuel  is  now 
living.  He  married  Eliza  Strang  of  York  town.  During  a  long 
life  he  was  one  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  the  town.  He  died 
April  26th,  1871,  aged  84  years,  11  months  and  12  days,  and  is 
buried  at  Doansburg.  His  sons,  Samuel,  Frederick,  William 
C.  and  Walter  P.,  are  well  known  and  prominent  citizens. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Brewster. —As  early  as 
1791,  this  section  was  embraced  in  a  Methodist  Circuit,  the  first 
name  appearing  being  that  of  Isaac  Candee,  one  of  the  preach- 
ers of  the  circuit,  a  young  man  still  on  trial,  who  preached  in 
the  Milltown  school  house.  About  this  time  there  came  from 
Connecticut  two  brothers,  Hezekiah  and  Zalmon  Sandford,  both 
of  whom  were  zealous  Methodists  and  godly  men.  The  former 
was  a  local  preacher  and  immediately  began  to  preach  in  school 
houses  and  private  dwellings.  The  house  of  Zalmon  Sandford, 
which  is  still  standing,  surrounded  on  three  sides  by  roads,  is  a 
short  distance  southwest  of  Southeast  Center,  and  was  a  fre- 
quent place  of  meeting.  It  was  also  at  this  house  that  the  first 
town  meeting  was  held,  in  the  town  of  Southeast,  in  1795.  At 
the  same  time  Richard  Barnes,  also  a  Methodist,  came  from 
Westchester  county  and  settled  near  Dykeman's,  ou  the  farm 
now  owned  by  his  son,  Mr.  James  Barnes,  and  his  house  became 
a  preaching  place.  The  house  of  Major  Cliff,  on  the  site  of  the 
present  residence  of  William  H.  Drew,  was  also  open  for  the 
purpose  and  it  is  said  that  Daniel  Drew  (whose  liberal  gift  to 
the  church  and  its  interests  render  his  memory  hallowed)  was 
converted  there. 

In  January,  1809,  the  old  Cortlandt  Circuit  was  orgainized 
and  covered  a  large  district.  Among  other  preachers  may  be 
mentioned  the  eccentric  Billy  Hibbard,  with  Henry  Eames  and 
Nathan  Emory.  The  date  of  the  first  class  in  Southeast  is  given 
as  1830.     Jacob  Hall  was  the  leader. 

A  society  was  organized  in  1834,  under  the  guidance  of  Rev. 
David  Holmes  and  Alonzo  F.  Sellick,  and  plans  were  made  for 
building  a  church.  The  society  was  incorporated  by  electing 
Harry  Pardee,  Wesley  Mead,  Benjamin  Mead,  David  Adams 
and  Stephen  Ryder  trustees,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  school 
house  January  20th,    1835,    and   the  church  was   named   the 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  463 

"  Doanesville  Methodist  Episcopal  Churcli."  The  edifice  was 
begun  in  1836,  completed  in  1837  and  dedicated  August  IQth  of 
that  year.  The  cost  was  $1,000  and  the  building  stood  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Croton  Turnpike  and  immediately  south  of  the 
New  York  and  New  England  Railroad,  a  very  short  distance 
northeast  of  the  Borden  Condensed  Milk  Factory.  The  church 
took  its  name  in  recognition  of  a  considerable  gift  promised  by 
Mr.  Benjamin  Doane,  but  the  gift  failing,  the  congregation 
changed  the  name  to  "  Heddingville,"  after  Bishop  Hedding,  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  This  was  sanctioned  by  an  Act  of  the  Legis- 
lature. 

Among  the  preachers  especial  mention  should  be  made  of 
Rev.  Cyrus  Foss,  who  resided  at  l5rewville  and  exerted  a  wide- 
spread influence.  One  of  his  sons,  Archibald  C,  lived  to  be  a 
presiding  elder  of  the  district;  another  Cyrus  D.,  is  one  of  the 
bishops  of  the  church.  In  1853  the  church  was  enlarged  and 
improved  and  a  basement  added.  In  1855  the  churcli  came 
into  the  Carmel  Circuit,  and  in  1858  became  a  charge  known 
as  Heddingville  and  Millplains-.  In  1861  it  became  an  inde- 
pendent charge,  Rev.  George  Clark  being  pastor.  By  this  time 
Brewster  Station  had  become  a  flourishing  village  and  the 
church  was  greatly  increased  in  strength  and  numbers  and  it 
was  determined  to  build  a  new  edifice  at  the  station.  A  fine 
property  was  purchased  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  and 
a  large  and  commodious  church  erected,  while  the  dwelling 
that  was  on  the  place  became  the  parsonage.  This  church,  which 
is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  countj^,  was  erected  in  1863.  The 
cost  was  $16,000,  of  which  Daniel  Drew  and  family  gave  half. 
The  dedication  occurred  January  27th,  1864.  A  fine  organ  was 
added,  through  the  munificence  of  Mrs.  Alanson  Robinson,  who 
has  long  been  a  member  of  the  church.  In  1883,  under  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  Horace  W.  Byrnes,  the  church  was  very  com- 
pletely renovated  and  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  and  the  old 
windows  replaced  by  new  ones  of  ornamented  cathedral  glass. 
Eight  of  these  are  memorial  windows,  to  perpetuate  the  mem- 
ory of  Rev.  Cyrus  Foss,  Albert  Brush,  Alanson  Robinson, 
Harry  Pardee,  Silas  Mead,  Daniel  Drew,  Laura  Van  Scoy  and 
Mrs.  Alonzo  Brush. 

The  church  was  reopened  December  17th,  1883.  The  semi- 
centennial of  this  society  was  duly  celebrated  on  the  27th  and 
28th  of  January,  1884,  and  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Horace 


464  iiisTor.Y  OP  putnam  county. 

W.  Byrnes,  B.  D.,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  formost  of  the  in- 
formation in^this  sketch.  The  honor  roll  of  this  church  con- 
tains many  names  precious  and  long  to  be  remembered.  Among 
these  are  Benjamin  Mead,  Piatt  V.  Brush,  Sally  Seymour, 
Daniel  Drew, 'Dr.  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  Aaron  B.  Marvin,  Jennie 
Hutchinson,  Horace Purdy,  Henry  Pardee,  Phineas  Trowbridge, 
Silas  Mead,  Albert  Brush  and  his  brother  Alonzo,  and  Levi  H. 
Roberts,  who  passed  to  his  rest  December  23d,  1885. 

Tn  the  burying  ground  at  Milltown  rest  the  mortal  remains 
of  one  who  was  the  support  of  Methodism  here  in  the  days  of 
its  weakness,  and  his  tombstone  bears  the  inscription:  "In 
Memory  of  Hezekiah  Sandford,  Esq.,  who  died  triumphant  in 
the  merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus- Christ,  March  18th,  1834,  aged  72 
years,  2  months  and  12  days." 

The  name  of  the  church  was  changed  from  ' '  Heddingville 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church"  to  "First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Southeast"  by  Act  of  Legislature,  April  24th,  1867. 

St.  Andrew's  Episcopal  Church,  Brewster. — The  first  ser- 
vices of  this  church  were  held  in  the  Town  Hall,  Rev.  Mr. 
Moore,  Rev.  Wilberforce  Wells,  and  Rev.  R.  C.  Russell  being 
the  first  to  officiate.  The  church  was  organized  August  29th, 
1881,  at  which  time  Seth  B.  Howes  and  Daniel  Tillotson  were 
chosen  wardens,  and  Elbert  C.  Cozzens,  Howard  E.  Poster,  Well- 
ington Ketchum_,  RobertW.  Kelley  and  FrankWells  were  elected 
vestrymen.  The  first  rector  was  Rev.  R.  Condit  Russell,  who 
was  officiating  semi-monthly  at  the  time  the  church  was  organ- 
ized. His  s^^ccessor  was  Rev.  Ralph  Wood  Kenyon,  who  re- 
ceived a  call  October  24th,  1881,  having  been  previously  assist- 
ant minister  of  St.  .^John's  Church,  Brooklyn.  He  remained  till 
January  15th,  1884,  when  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Prank  Heartfield,  who  came  October  18th  of  that  year. 
Mr.  Heartfield' s  ministry  continued  till  April  30th,  1885,  when 
he  resigned,  to  take  charge  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Poughkeep- 
sie.  His  successor  and  the  present  minister  is  Rev.  Eli  Draper 
Sutcliffe,  who  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie  and  educated  at  St. 
Stephen's  College,  Annandale,  Dutchess  county.  He  subse- 
quently studied  at  the  Berkeley  Divinity  School,  Middletown, 
Conn.  After  graduating,  in  June,  1885,  he  received  a  call  to 
this  church  and  is  now  the  minister  in  charge,  having  been  or- 
dained deacon  May  7th,  1885.  The  church  edifice  was  opened 
for  service  January  23d,  1881,  and  is  built  on  the  north  side  of 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  465 

Church  street,  at  the  corner  of  Prospect  street.  A  new  organ, 
which  is  now  being  built,  will  be  a  valuable  addition  to  the 
church.  The  present  church  officers  are:  Seth  B.  Howes  and 
Prank  Wells,  wardens;  Elbert  C.  Howes,  John  M.  Sloane,  E. 
C.  Cozzens,  William  H.  Drew,  George  Wise,  and  Howard  E. 
Foster,  vestrymen. 

Baptist  Church,  Brewster. — The  first  meetings  of  members 
of  this  church  were  held  in  1867,  the  services  being  conducted 
by  Rev.  W.  W.  Ferris.  Among  the  principal  promoters  of  the 
church  was  Horace  Waters,  of  New  York,  the  well  known 
manufacturer  of  musical  instruments.  After  this  Rev.  Mr. 
Romaine,  an  English  evangelist,  held  meetings  in  Kelley's  Hall, 
on  the  north  side  of  Main  street,  near  the  depot,  and  afterward 
in  Masonic  Hall,  and  a  call  was  given  to  Rev.  Frank  Fletcher, 
of  Cross  River,  Westchester  county.  Among  the  active  leading 
members  were:  John  Gf.  Borden, William  H.  Townsend, William 
Finckney,  James  K.  Smith  and  Alanson  Ellis. 

The  church  lot  was  purchased  of  William  M.  Clark  and 
others,  June  7th,  1870,  and  described  as  "bounded  on  the  west 
by  the  highway  from  Brewster  to  Carmel,  and  on  the  east  by 
the  old  road  from  Carmel  to  Doanesville."  The  cost  of  the 
church  was  $15,000,  and  it  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  Decem- 
ber 28th,  1871.  The  parsonage  was  built  about  six  years  later. 
The  pastors  have  been:  Rev.  W.  W.  Ferris,  Rey.  Mr.  Edwards, 
Rev.  Frank  Fletcher,  who  came  in  1868  and  remained  four 
years;  Rev.  O.  C.  Kirkham,  Rev.  W.  B.  Guiscard,  Rev.  M.  C. 
Lockwood,  Rev.  D.  D.  Reed,  Rev.  E.  B.  Jones,  and  Rev.  Wil- 
liam A.  Granger,  the  present  pastor.  Mr.  Granger  was  b.orn  in 
Broadalbin,  Fulton  county,  N.  Y.,  and  graduated  from  Madi- 
son University.  He  subsequently  studied  at  Union  Theological 
Seminary,  New  York,  was  ordained  in  February,  1876,  was 
pastor  of  a  church  in  Long  Island  City  for  many  years,  and 
was  called  to  his  present  field  of  labor  in  January,  1885.  The 
church  has  a  membership  of  70,  and  exerts  a  widespread 
influence. 

Roman  Catholic  Church,  Brewster. — In  1850,  Rev. 
Charles  Slevin  was  in  charge  of  a  parish  which  extended  from 
Mount  Kisco,  in  .Westchester,  to  the  upper  part  of  Dutchess 
county.  The  first  services  were  held  in  Brewster,  by  Father 
Slevin,  during  that  year.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Joliu 
Osnejo,  whose  successor  was  Rev.  Lawrence  McKenna,  who  took 
30 


466  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

charge  about  1870,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Patrick  Daly. 
The  latter  died  in  1878,  and  the  present  pastor,  Patrick  J. 
Healy,  came  in  charge. 

The  church  edifice,  a  neat  and  commodious  building,  was 
erected  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Lawrence  McKenna.  Rev. 
Patrick  J.  Healy  came  to  this  place  from  Purdy's  Station,  in 
Westchester  county.  Father  Healy,  who  is  a  native  of  Ireland, 
came  to  this  country  in  1850,  and  was  educated  at  St.  Francis 
Xavier's  College,  New  York,  and  was  ordained  at  St.  Joseph's 
Seminary,  Troy,  in  1870.  His  first  charge  was  St.  Bernard's 
Church,  New  York,  where  he  remained  four  years,  and  upon 
his  retirement,  received  from  his  parishioners  an  elegant  testi- 
monial and  a  purse  of  $2,000  as  a  token  of  their  high  apprecia- 
tion of  his  services.  He  was  afterward  appointed  to  Dover 
Plains  and  Pawling  and  then  to  Beekman,  in  Dutchess  county. 
His  next  appointment  was  to  Croton  Falls,  which  included 
Brewster,  Towners,  Lake  Mahopac  and  Katonah. 

In  1880,  .Father  Healy  divided  the  parish,  retaining  the 
churches  at  Brewster,  Towners  and  Carmel.  Under  his  able  and 
efficient  management  the  church  at  Brewster  is  free  from  debt; 
improvements  and  additions  have  been  made  to  the  church  edi- 
fice, and  a  parsonage  built  at' a  cost  of  $3,000.  In  1875,  he  built 
the  church  at  Towners,  and' a  debt  which  was  necessarily  in. 
curred  has  been  very  greatly  reduced.  Church  service  is  held 
in  Carmel  in  a  public  hall  as  no  church  has  been  built  there  as 
yet.  The  membership  of  the  parish  is  about  500.  A  flourishing 
Sunday  school  is  connected  with  the  church  and  there  are  cate- 
chisings  three  times  a  week  in  various  districts. 

Societies. — The  following  is  a  record  of  the  first  masonic 
meeting: 

"At  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  the  fraternity  of  Masons, 
members  of  different  Lodges,  whose  names  are  as  follows:  David 
Crosby,  James  Porter,  George  Burch,  Daniel  Bull,  Nathaniel 
De  La  Van,  Wm.  Pearce,  Alexander  Kidd,  Jacob  Reed,  Daniel 
Delavan,  Eli  Crosby,  Samuel  A.  Barker,  Stephen  Kelly,  Thomas 
Sears,  Joseph  C.  Field,  Zalmond  Sandford,  Benedict  Davis,  D. 
Lambert  De  Forest,  Francis  Burdick,  James  Knapp,  Ezra 
Sherman,  Peter  Crosby,  Benj.  Piatt,  Stephen  Delavan,  Daniel 
Waring,  Wm.  Patch,  Philetus  Scudder  and  Stephen  Field,  Jr., 
who  are  inhabitants  of  Frederickstown,  in  the  County  of 
Dutchess,  and  towns  adjacent,  at  the  house  of  James  Phillips, 


TOWN   OF   SOUTPIEAST.  467 

in  said  Prederickstown,  the  oth  day  of  Dec,  1793,  and  in  the 
year  of  light  5793. 

"  Brother  David  Crosby  was  appointed  Moderator  and  Bro. 
James  Porter  Clerk  of  the  meeting. 

"  Voted  unanimously  as  the  opinion  of  the  brethren  compos- 
ing this  meeting,  that  an  application  be  made  to  the  Right 
Worshipful  Grand  Master  of  the  state  of  New  York,  for  a  war- 
rant to  erect  a  Lodge  at  Frederickstown. 

"Voted  that  if  such  warrant  be  obtained,  that  the  name  of 
Samuel  Augustus  Barker  be  inserted  as  Master  of  said  Lodge, 
and  that  the  name  of  Jacob  Reed  be  inserted  as  Senior  Warden, 
and  the  name  of  George  Burch  as  Junior  Warden,  and  that  it 
be  named  Columbus  Lodge. 

"  Voted  that  Bro.  Crosby,  Moderator  of  this  meeting,  be  em- 
powered to  make  application  for  the  warrant  above  mentioned." 

By  a  certificate  dated  May  17th,  1794,  the  officers  of  Solomon 
Lodge,  No.  1,  of  Poughkeepsie,  certified  that  Samuel  Augustus 
Barker,  George  Burch,  and  Stephen  Kelly  were  members  of  that 
lodge  in  good  standing.  In  accordance  with  this  Andrew 
Billings  and  Cadwallader  D.  Colden  were  appointed  to  consti- 
tute the  lodge,  which  they  did  October  1st,  1794,  at  the  house  of 
James  Phillips,  and  appointed  the  officers  recommended  above, 
and  October  14th,  1794,  Samuel  Augustus  Barker,  as  master  of 
the  new  lodge,  made  application  for  a  "Book  of  Constitu- 
tions "  to  the  grand  master. 

On  a  Return  of  "Columbia  Lodge"  in  1798,  the  following 
list  of  members  is  given:  Samuel  A.  Barker,  George  Burch, 
Stephen  Kelsey,  Francis  Burdick,  James  Porter,  David  Crosby, 
Benjamin  Piatt,  Nath.  Delavan,  Thomas  Sears,  John  Penney, 
Peter  Crosby,  Oliver  Barker,  James  Knapp,  Jacob  Reed,  Hez. 
Hyatt,  Daniel  Delavan,  Eli  Crosby,  David  L.  De  Forest,  Zalmon 
Sandf  ord,  David  Waring,  Stephen  Field,  Waight  Ball,  Hezekiah 
Dykeman,  Conkling  Ketcham,  David  Balding,  Seth  Sears,  jr., 
James  Fairchild,  Ephraim  Marvin,  Zadock  Rider,  James  Craft, 
Uriah  Wallace,. Darius  Crosby,  Moses  Crosby,  Benjamin  Titus, 
Samuel  Penney,  Berry  Hopkins,  David  Haviland,  Charles 
Crosby,  Peter  Hepburn,  Daniel  Aikins,  Stephen  Barnum,  Ezra 
Richards,  Thomas  B.  Sears,  James  Schofield,  Isaac  Sears,  Lewis 
Burton,  Caleb  Smith,  jr.,  Ira  Crane,  Job  Smith,  Elijah  Doty, 
Thomas  Hines,  Samuel  Chapman,  Charles  Hines,  James  Grant, 
Rowland   Bailey,    John   Paulding,  James  Foster,  jr.,  Robert 


468  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Weeks,  Edmond  Foster,  Job  Jones,  "William  Smith,  Caleb 
Fowler,  jr.,  Elisha  D.  Hall,  Daniel  Jones,  Abijah  Corbin,  Jere- 
miah Hopkins. 

The  Masonic  bodies  at  Brewster,  N.  Y.,  comprise  Croton 
Lodge,  No.  368,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Oroton  Chapter,  No.  202,  R.  A.  M.; 
and  Crusader  Commandery,  No.  56,  K.  T. 

The  oldest  of  these  bodies  is  Croton  Lodge,  which  held  its 
first  communication  under  a  dispensation  from  the  grand  master 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  at  Croton  Falls,  in  the  adjoining 
county  of  Westchester,  on  the  11th  day  of  April,  1855,  the  first 
officers  being:  George  W.  Gregory,  worshipful  master;  Edward 
Adams,  senior  warden ;  Harrison  Pardee,  junior  warden ; 
Thomas  Field,  secretary.  Of  the  above,  Thomas  Field  is  at 
this  time  the  only  survivor,  and  is  an  honored  resident  of 
Southeast. 

Mr.  A.  J.  Miller  was  master  in  1876  and  1877:  on  January 
24th,  of  the  latter  year,  a  resolution  was  passed  that  the  lodge 
remove  its  place  of  meeting  to  Brewster.  The  grand  lodge  of 
this  State  having  given  its  consent  in  June,  the  removal  was 
made,  and  the  first  communication  was  held  at  Brewster  Au- 
gust 22d,  1877.  The  officers  are:  Worshipful  Charles  Denton, 
master;  Isaac  Armstrong,  senior  warden;  John  Q.  Adams, 
junior  warden;  Frank  Wells,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Past 
Worshipful  Abram  J.  Miller,  senior  deacon;  Henry  W.  Dale, 
junior  deacon;  Theodore  Phelps  and  George  Moore,  masters  of 
ceremony;  Frederick  Kratz,  chaplain;  James  A.  Foshay  and 
George  H.  Kniffen,  organists;  Past  Worshipful  Ferdinand  Wil- 
son, tiler.  The  living  Past  Masters  are  George  W.  Abrams, 
Abram  J.  Miller,  Leonard  H.  Secqr,  and  Ferdinand  Wilson. 

The  first  convocation  of  Croton  Chapter,  No.  202,  R.  A.  M., 
was  held  under  dispensation  at  Croton  Falls,  January  7th, 
1867;  and  a  charter  being  granted  February  7th,  following,  on 
the  18th  of  the  same  month  the  first  officers  were  installed  as 
follows:  George  W.  Gregory,  high  priest;  Gerard  Crane,  king; 
Jacob  Townsend,  scribe:  Benj.  D.  Crane,  captain  of  host;  Jere- 
miah W.  Keeler,  principal  sojourner;  Jared  G.  Wood,  R.  A.  C. ; 
Herman  Best,  master  1st  V.;  William  M.  Clark,  master  2d  V.; 
Harrison  Pardee,  treasurer;  Theophilus  Pratt,  secretary;  Henry 
W.  Smuller,  chaplain;  William  Barker,  tiler. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  a  resolution  was  adopted  by  this  body, 
that  it  remove  its  place  of  meeting  to  Brewster;  and  in  accord- 


TOWN   OP   SOUTHEAST.  469 

ance  therewith  the  meetings  of  this  body  have  since  been  held  at 
this  place.  The  present  officers  of  Croton  Chapter,  No.  202, 
are:  Charles  Denton,  high  priest;  Richard  Hampton,  king;  John 
Q.  Adams,  scribe;  Clarence  A.  Randall,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer; Abram  J.  Miller,  captain  of  host;  Leonard  H.  Secor, 
principal  sojourner;  Charles  B.  Grregory,  R.  A.  C.-;  Stephen  T. 
McMahon,  master  3d  V.;  Edward  Bailey,  master  2d  V.;  Fred- 
eric  R.   Hall,  master  1st  V.;  Ferdinand  Wilson,  tiler;    James 

A.  Foshay  and  George  H.  Kniffen,  organists. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  1873,  a  dispensation  to  establish  a  com 
mandery  at  Croton  Falls,  Westchester  county,  N.  Y.,  was 
granted  by  the  grand  commander  of  Knights  Templar,  of  the 
State  of  New  Yosk,  and  appointed  George  W.  Gregory,  emi- 
nent commander;  Harrison  Pardee,  generalissimo,  and  Herman 
Best,  captain  general. 

The  first  conclave  under  dispensation  was  held  April  18th, 
following. 

On  the  ISth  of  October,  in  the  same  year,  a  warrant  was 
granted  by  the  grand  commandery  of  this  State.  The  follow- 
ing were  the  first  officers  installed  under  the  warrant:  George 
W.  Gregory,  eminent  commander;  Harrison  Pardee,  general- 
issimo; Herman  Best,  captain  general;  Abram  J.  Miller,  prelate; 
Frank  Wells,  senior  warden;  Oliver  H.  Miller,  Junior  warden; 
H.  Pardee,  treasurer;  Benjamin  D.  Crane,  recorder;  Frederic 
R.  Hall,  standard  bearer;  Samuel  M.  Church,  sword  bearer; 
Charles  B.  Gregory,  warder;  Sarles  Drew,  John  H.  Spencer,  R. 
W.  Travis,  guards;  Joseph  T.  Secord,  captain  of  guard. 

In  August,  1877,  the  commandery  removed  to  Brewster,  Put- 
nam county,  where  it  is  now  stationed  and  officered  as  follows: 
Frank  Wells,  commander;  S.  T.  McMahon,  generalissimo;  L. 
H.  Secor,  captain  general;  Abram  J.  Miller,  prelate;  Philij) 
Diehl,  senior  warden;  Richard  Hampton,  junior  warden;  Frank 
Wells,  treasurer;  Clarence  A.  Rundall,  recorder;  Frederic  R. 
Hall,  standard  bearer;  Samuel  M.  Church,  sword  bearer;  Charles 

B.  Gregory,  warder;  Charles  L.  Austin,  Alfred  E.  De  Forest, 
Ferdinand  Wilson,  guards;  Joseph  T.  Secord,  captain  of  guard; 
Moses  P.  Tillotson,  organist. 

Crosby  Post,  No.  302,  O.  A.  R. ,  held  its  first  meeting  in  the 
engine  house  at  Brewster,  on  the  evening  of  November  9th, 
1882.  The  post  was  named  in  honor  of  Lieut.  Thomas  Crosby, 
of  the  6th  N.  Y.  Artillery,  a  resident  of  this  town  who  died 


470  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

in  1870  from  the  repeated  amputations  of  an  arm  which  was 
shattered  at  Chancellorsville. 

The  first  oflBcers  elected  were  :  Frank  Wells,  commander;  Ed- 
ward Bailey,  S.  V.  commander;  Gilbert  H.  Seagrave,  J.  V.  com- 
mander; John  M.  Sloane,  adjutant;  Abner  L.  Crosby,  surgeon; 
Frederic  Kratz,  chaplain;  James  R.  Ostrander,  quartermaster; 
Leonard  H.  Secor,  officer  of  the  day;  Frederick  R.  Hall,  officer 
of  the  guard;  Gilbert  D.  Bailey,  sergeant  major;  Isaac  R.  Wal- 
lace, quartermaster  sergeant.  The  post  has  maintained  a  flour- 
ishing existence  until  the  present  time  and.  has  a  membership 
of  34. 

The  present  officers  are  :  Frank  Wells,  commander;  Gilbert 
H.  Seagrave,  S.  V.  commander;  Abner  L.  Crosby,  J.  V.  com- 
mander; John  M.  Sloane,  adjutant;  Dr.  John  Q.  Adams,  sur- 
geon; Dr.  Jared  G.  Wood,  chaplain;  Edward  Bailey,  quarter- 
master; Leonard  H.  Secor,  officer  of  the  day;  Henry  W.  Dale, 
officer  of  the  guard;  Gilbert  D.  Bailey,  sergeant  major;  Samuel 
R.  Birch,  quartermaster  sergeant. 

IiioN  Mines  in  Southeast.— The  wealth  of  this  town  has 
been  greatly  increased  by  the  development  of  its  mines  of  iron. 
From  the  earliest  times  the  mountainous  regions  embraced  in 
this  county  have  been  believed  to  contain  various  metals  and, 
in  consequence,  almost  all  the  deeds  and  leases  given  by  the 
Philipse family  for  land  owned  by  them  contained  a  clause  "re- 
serving all  mines  and  minerals." 

The  Brewster  Iron  Mine,  on  the  hill  which  towers  aloft  to  the 
west  of  Brewster,  was  worked  for  some  years,  but  has  been 
abandoned.  The  ore  is  of  most  excellent  quality  but  difficult 
to  obtain,  owing  to  its  peculiar  situation,  the  vein  being  situ- 
ated between  two  sloping  sides  of  rock.  The  land  on  which 
this  mine  is  located  was,  in  1837,  owned  by  one  Frederick 
Parks,  who  sold  the  premises  to  one  William  Downs,  "reserv- 
ing all  mineral  ores  thereon,  with  the  privilege  of  going  to  and 
from  all  beds  of  ore  that  may  be  hereafter  worked  on  the  most 
convenient  route  to  and  from."  Downs  sold  the  land,  with  the 
same  reservation,  to  Gilbert  Bailey,  and  by  various  convey- 
ances it  came  into  the  possession  of  Aaron  B.  Marvin,  August 
11th.  1849,  and  he  erected  a  dwelling  house  and  outbuildings 
and  occupied  them  with  his  family.  On  the  24th  of  October, 
185.5,  Frederick  Parks  conveyed  the  mineral  rights  to  William 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  471 

R.  Paynter,  who  sold  them  to  Isaiah  T.  Williams  in  1858,  and 
he  conveyed  the  same  to  the  "Brewster  Iron  Company"  March 
a4th,  1864.  The  company  took  possession  and  extended  their 
operations  until  their  excavations  extended  under  Marvin's 
dwelling  house  and  caused  the  walls  to  crack,  while  the  blast- 
ing, which  was  continued  both  night  and  day,  disturbed  the 
peace  and  repose  of  himself  and  family  during  the  hours  usu- 
ally devoted  to  sleep,  while  the  chance  and  prospect  of  having 
their  house  and  home  blown  up  or  shaken  down  was  not  calcu- 
lated to  quiet  their  nerves  or  render  their  lives  one  of  unalloyed 
happiness.  Marvin  accordingly  brought  a  suit  against  the 
company  for  damages,  and  in  the  lower  courts  his  case  was  sus- 
tained, but  the  Court  of  Appeals  reversed  the  decision  and  es- 
tablished the  principle  that  the  reservation  of  minerals  included 
and  carried  with  it  the  full  right  and  power  to  sink  shafts  and 
to  carry  on  all  the  operations  of  mining  in  the  usual  manner, 
and  also  affirmed  that  the  rights  of  the  mine  owner  were  not 
extinguished  by  non-usage,  unless  the  owner  of  the  land  had 
accompanied  his  possession  by  acts  of  ownership  sufficient  to 
establish  his  title  to  the  minerals  by  adverse  possession. 

The  Theall  and  McCollum  Mines  are  in  the  southwestern  part 
of  the  town  and  derived  their  names  from  the  former  owners  of 
the  farms  upon  which  they  are  situated.  In  January,  1848, 
Stephen  and  Gilbert  Travis  sold  lo  Thatcher  H.  Theall  130  acres 
of  land,  bounded  by  Croton  River  and  by  the  land  of  James 
McCollum  and  others.  Mr.  Theall  made  an  arrangement  with 
Thomas  W.  Harvey,  July  29th,  1851,  about  mining  and  exca- 
vating for  materials.  Harvey  transferred  his  right  to  the  "Har- 
vey Steel  and  Iron  Company,"  and  this  company  sold  their 
right  to  Holman  J.  Hale,  and  Mr.  Theall  conveyed  to  him  by 
deed  January  3d,  1857,  "all  the  ores  and  fossil  substances  on 
said  farm,"  and  Hale  transferred  all  his  rights  to  the  "Ameri- 
can Magnetic  Iron  Company,"  February  25th,  1857.  March  9th, 
1880,  upon  foreclosure  of  a  mortgage,  the  property  was  sold  to 
Henry  F.  Durant. 

The  McCollum  Mine,  which  is  near  the  former  and  doubtless 
the  same  vien  of  ore,  is  on  a  farm  which  was  sold  by  James 
McCollum  to  the  "  Harvey  Steel  and  Iron  Company,"  June 
29th,  1863,  and  by  them  to  E.  H.  Ladd,  December  12th,  1863, 
and  he  in  turn  sold  to  John  H.  Cheever  and  Henry  F.  Durant, 
January  18th,  1884.     They  transferred  it  to   the  "McCollum 


472  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Iron  Mines,"  April  7th,  1880,  for  the  sum  of  $997,500.  TheTheall 
Mine  was  sold  by  Cheever  to  the  "  Croton  Magnetic  Iron  Com- 
pany," September  6th,  1882. 

The  Tilly  Foster  Mine  has  an  importance  and  value  greater 
than  any  other  in  the  county,  and  from  the  excellence  of  its  ore 
and  the  wonderfnl  combination  of  minerals  found  it  is  celebrated 
beyond  all  others.  The  land  connected  with  the  mine  is  part  of 
three  sejjarate  tracts.  The  first  is  a  farm  sold  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  forfeitures  to  Jacob  Ellis,  December  28th,  1781.  This 
farm  is  the  northwest  corner  of  Lot  No.  9,  of  Philipse  Patent, 
and  belonged  to  Roger  Morris.  The  farm  is  described  in  the 
deed  as  "All  that  tract  of  land  in  Fredericksburg,  now  in  pos- 
session of  Jacob  Ellis.  Beginning  at  the  Northwest  corner  of  a 
walnut  sapling  with  stones  around  it,  and  running  thence  East 
15  minutes  North  26  chains  to  a  large  rock.  Then  South  5  de- 
grees west,  16  chains.  Then  South  23^  degrees  East- 40  chains 
to  the  east  side  of  the  mill  river.  Then  North  77|^  degrees  West 
47  chains  80  links.  Thence  N.  9i  degrees  East  40  chains  40 
links  to  the  first  bounds  containing  146  acres."  The  price  being 
*146.  The  second  farm  was  sold  by  the  commissioners  to  Heman 
King.  This  was  a  tract  of  284  acres,  and  lay  to  the  east  of  the 
above  tract.  The  third  tract  was  a  farm  sold  to  Josiah  Brown 
and  by  him  to  Matthew  Beale,  and  lay  between  the  two  others 
and  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  Croton  River.  Heman  King  sold 
60  acres  of  his  farm  to  George  Beale  in  May,  1815,  and  he  in 
turn  sold  this  with  other  land  to  the  extent  of  128  acres,  to 
Tilly  Foster,  April  1st,  1830.  It  is  upon  this  tract  that  the 
works  of  the  mine  are  situated.  Upon  this  farm  Tilly  Foster 
lived  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  4th,  1842, 
at  the  age  of  49.  His  house  is  still  standing  near  the  works  and 
is  a  well  preserved  relic  of  former  times.  The  farm  was  sold  by 
his  executors  to  Isaac  Kelley,  in  1844,  and  he  transferred  it  to 
Mary  Foster,  widow  of  Tilly  Foster,  June  8th  of  the  same  year. 
She  conveyed  it  to  Horace  D.  Townsend,  as  her  guardian  and 
for  her  benefit,  on  the  26th  of  October.  In  accordance  with 
this  Mr.  Townsend  covena*ted  with  Thomas  W.  Harvey  and 
Theodosius  Secor  to  convey  to  them  all  the  mineral  rights  and 
metallic  veins  and  ores  for  the  sum  of  $1,000.  They  transferred 
their  right  to  the  "  Harvey  Steel  and  Iron  Company,"  and  they 
took  the  deed  from  Townsend,  March  21st,  1853.  They  sold  it 
to  Charles  H.  Ladd,  December  12th,  1863,  and  he  to  John  H. 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  473 

Cheever,  January  18th,  1864,  and  he  purchased  the  entire  farm 
from  the  heirs  of  Tilly  Foster.  By  the  foreclosure  of  a  mort- 
gage, a  part  of  the  farm  was  sold  to  Henry  F.  Durant,  in  1864. 
Previous  to  this  a  company  was  duly  incorporated  under  the 
name  of  the  "Tilly  Foster  Iron  Mines,"  the  trustees  being  John 
H.  Cheever,  Henry  F.  Durant,  John  Gr.  Tappan,  Charles  H. 
Ladd  and  Charles  F.  Hardwicke,  and  the  capital  being  $500,000. 
Mr.  Cheever  transferred  all  his  right  to  the  company,  and  Mr. 
Durant  did  the  same,  and  the  "Tilly  Foster  Iron  Mines"  be- 
came the  owner  of  all  the  premises  and  minerals. 

The  first  man  who  ever  attempted  to  get  iron  from  this  mine 
was  James  Townsend,  who  owned  a  forge  which  stood  near  the 
north  end  of  the  reservoir  at  Boyd's  Corners,  in  the  town  of 
Kent.  Here  he  used  to  manufacture  iron  from  the  ore  on  a 
small  scale,  and  as  the  ore  at  the  present  Tilly  Foster  Mine  was 
then  plainlj'-  visible  on  the  surface,  he  procured  some  for  his 
furnace.  This  was  in  1810.  From  that  time  till  1853,  scarcely 
any  attempt  was  made  to  develop  its  resources.  The  geological 
nature  of  this  mine  may  be  best  learned  from  the  following 
description  given  by  two  of  the  most  celebrated  mineralogists  in 
the  county.     Prof.  N.  S.  Shaler  thus  describes  the  mine: 

"  The  rock  is  gneiss  rock  as  a  whole,  the  greater  part  of  the 
rock  neighboring  to  the  mine  is  gneiss.  There  are  other  rocks 
in  the  series.  There  is  an  extensive  set  of  limestone  rocks 
which  have  not  been  noticed  by  observers  there,  so  far  as  I  can 
find,  lying  perhaps  500-  yards  to  the  north  of  the  mine,  in  the 
strike  of  the  mine.  This  series  of  limestone  contains  at  least 
two  beds,  both  of  which  exceed  ten  feet  in  thickness.  I  have 
not  seen  these  limestones  nearer  the  mine  than  500  yards  to  the 
north.  I  suspect  they  may  come  a  good  deal  nearer  than  that. 
The  ore  is  a  bedded  deposit  beyond  any  reasonable  doubt.  It 
is  a  bedded  deposit  which  has  been  subjected  to  all  sorts  of  dis- 
locations working  together.  It  has  been  '  rolled  '  as  it  is  some- 
times termed.  There  has  been  a  slip  of  the  ore  in  the  bed  so  as 
to  pinch  it  into  local  agglomerations  of  the  ore;  then  the  ag 
glomerations  of  ore  have  been  cut  across  by  faults.  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  that  the  bed  of  ore  had  originally  a  very  great 
horizontal  extent,  the  consolidation  of  it  by  these  processes  of 
'  pinching  '  has  made  a  mass  of  a  somewhat  doubtful  form.  We 
know  that  as  a  large  mass  of  ore,  it  is  distinctly  about  522  feet 
long,  on  the  110  foot  level." 


474  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  following  description  was  given  by  Prof.  Henry  S.  Mon- 
roe, of  Columbia  College:  "  The  deposit  is  evidently  a  stratified 
one,  that  is,  the  iron  ore  was  originally  deposited  in  a  horizontal 
bed  underlaid  by  horizontal  beds  of  sand  or  clay  or  possibly 
sandstone  rocks,  clayrocks,  shales,  etc.  After  the  deposition  of 
the  iron  ore  it  was  covered  by  similar  beds  of  sand  and  clay,  the 
whole  forming  a  stratified  deposit  of  sands,  and  clays,  or  of 
sandstones  and  shales,  with  the  bed  of  iron  ore  lying  between. 
Afterward,  in  the  course  of  long  geological  time,  these  beds 
were  uplifted  and  placed  nearly  on  edge,  as  we  find  them;  and 
by  metamorphic  action  these  rocks  have  become  crystalized, 
and  the  different  minerals  secreted,  the  shales  and  sandstones 
and  other  sedimentary  rocks  have  thus  been  changed  into  a 
crystaline  gneiss:  the  iron  ore  was  formerly  in  the  form  of  bi'own 
hematite  or  perhaps  of  carbonate  of  iron  and  hematite,  which 
by  similar  metamorphic  action  (that  is,  by  heat,  pressure  and 
chemical  action)  has  been  changed  to  a  hard  and  crystaline 
magnetic  ore.  The  joints  and  faults  in  the  ore  body  are  filled 
with  a  mineral  of  the  serpentine  family,  called  eleolite,  by  mine 
geologists,  which  is  a  soapy  magnesian  mineral  of  a  green  color: 
this  mineral  is  permeable  by  water  to  a  slight  extent." 

The  following  is  from  Prof.  James  D.  Dana:  "The  rocks  like 
those  of  northern  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  are  called  crys- 
taline rocks;  rocks  we  suppose  to  have  been  originally  in  a  state 
of  mud  and  sand  partly  from  the  sea  shore  and  partly  from  the 
sand  flats  and  marshes:  that  is,  I  believe  the  universal  view  at 
the  present  time  with  regard  to  the  origin  of  these  rocks:  the 
ore  is  considered  by  the  larger  part  of  the  geologists,  I  believe, 
to  be  a  marsh  deposit  made  in  a  great  marsh,  while  these  rocks 
were  still  in  that  soft  state,  much  as  ores  are  made  in  the  mud 
of  marshes.  This  is  proved  in  most  places  in  northern  New 
Jersey  and  southern  New  York,  by  finding  that  the  ore  bed  is 
perfectly  parallel  with  the  beds  of  rock  on  either  side,  so  that 
you  could  trace  a  sea  of  beds.  At  the  Tilly  Foster  mine  it  is 
more  difficult  to  trace  the  range  of  beds.  From  the  similarity 
of  the  rocks  and  the  similarity  of  the  ore,  I  should  have  no 
doubt  that  the  Tilly  Foster  ore  was  made  in  the  same  way, 
especially  as  they  belong  to  the  same  class  of  formation  called 
in  geology,  Archaen  and  Azoic.  These  original  mud  beds,  sand 
beds  and  marshy  iron  ore  beds  have  all  undergone  a  change  at- 
tending the  uplifting  and  folding  of  the  rocks  by  lateral  pres- 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  475 

sare,  a  pressure  that  has  been  exerted  from  one  side  and  they 
have  been  elevated  so  as  to  stand  vertically  and  often  you  may 
trace  fold  after  fold,  but  such  folding  was  attended  by  great 
fractures  and  also  v^ith  great  heat  which  produced  the  crystali- 
zation  of  the  old  beds,  turning  the  old  marshy  ores  into  the 
crystaline  ores  that  we  find  in  the  Tilly  Foster  and  other  like 
mines:  but  such  a  folding  attended  with  heat  has  a  great  deal 
of  friction  connected  with  it  and  that  heat  caused  the  crystali- 
zation  of  the  rocks  and  turned  the  mud  beds  into  granite,  gneiss 
and  other  rocks  and  turned  the  ore,  originally  a  marsh  ore,  into 
a  crystaline  ore.  The  outside  rock  is  much  firmer  than  the  rock 
of  the  bed  itself;  a  large  part  is  exceedingly  firm,  what  we  call 
syenite,  a  rock  of  the  same  formation  with  Quincy  granite  and 
a  part  of  it  is  the  bedded  rock  called  gneiss.  Of  the  rock  for- 
mation, which  is  immediately  in  contact  with  the  ore  deposits 
in  this  mine,  there  is  along  the  walls  a  soft  layer  consisting 
largely  of  chlorite,  a  soft  magnesian  mineral,  which  is  easily 
decomposable.  The  ore  is  mixed  with  a  very  brittle  mineral, 
called  chondrodite,  and  the  ore  is  broken  up  into  pieces  from 
the  size  of  the  fist  to  a  few  cubic  feet,  in  a  great  part  of  the 
mine.  These  fragments  are  all  covered  with  a  soft  soapy  min- 
eral, called  serpentine,  so  that  they  sliii  upon  one  another  with 
great  facility.  It  is  the  most  striking  feature  of  the  mine  and 
renders  it  wholly  unlike  any  other  ore  beds  I  have  seen.  The 
material  which  is  thrown  out  or  dumped  along  side  of  the  rail- 
road leading  to  the  mine,  is  nothing  but  these  slippery  masses 
of  impure  ore,  chondrodite  mixed  with  some  of  the  magnetic 
ore:  in  three-fourths  of  the  bed  the  chondrodite  is  abundant 
and  fractures  are  everywhere.  The  idea  that  the  beds  of  ore 
were  melted  matter  thrown  up  from  below  is  no  longer  enter- 
tained by  geologists." 
The  following  is  from  Professor  Cooke:  "The  ore  in  this 
'  mine  is  magnetic.  This  magnetism  is  supposed  by  geologists  to 
be  caused  by  the  position  in  which  it  lies  in  the  earth,  namely: 
north  and  south,  and  is  derived  from  the  magnetism  of  the 
earth.  In  the  inside  of  the  mine,  the  magnesian  rocks  have 
undergone  metamorphic  action  by  which  peculiar  minerals  have 
been  developed  from  the  rocks  previously  there  and  this  has  al- 
ways been  the  cui'ious  part  of  the  Tilly  Foster  mine  to  mineralo- 
gists. The  age  of  the  period  of  the  formation  of  the  gneiss 
rock  in  which  the  iron  ore  is  situated,  carries  lis  back  to   the 


476  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

earliest  geological  periods  in  the  history  of  the  globe;  to  a 
period  long  before  there  was  any  organic  existence  upon  the 
earth.  The  oldest  fossiliferous  rock  is  the  Potsdam  sandstone, 
and  the  syenitic  gneiss  and  its  series  of  rocks  are  so  much  older 
that  their  elevation  and  folding  deposited,  and  that  carries  us 
back  beyond  being  counted.  There  are  two  kinds  of  iron  ore, 
the  protoxide  of  iron,  Fe^  C,  which  is  black  and  magnetic,  and 
hematite,  or  red  oxide,  Fe°  0',  which  is  not  magnetic.  The  ore 
of  the  Tilly  Foster  mine  is  of  the  former  kind.  The  effect  of 
pressure  in  the  folding  of  the  rocks  is  shown  by  portions  of  the 
ore  being  pressed  smooth  and  polished  like  glass.  The  ore  is 
free  from  phosphorus,  and  nearly  so  from  sulphur,  and  of  ex- 
cellent quality." 

The  mine  is  now  owned  and  worked  by  the  "Pennsylvania 
Coal  and  Iron  Company."  The  superintendent  of  the  mine  is 
Mr.  Andrew  Cosgriff,  who  was  born  in  New  York  and  has  made 
mining  the  business  of  his  life,  having  been  engaged  in  every 
branch  of  the  business,  from  the  coal  lields  of  Pennsylvania  to 
the  silver  mines  of  Nevada.  In  1862,  he  joined  the  United  States 
Navy  and  fought  under  Admiral  Farragut.  He  came  to  the 
Tilly  Foster  Mine  September  24th,  1868.  At  that  time  it  was  an 
open  mine  and  was  putting  out  about  30  tons  of  ore  per  day. 
In  1879,  the  mine  was  yielding  ore  to  the  extent  of  7,000  tons 
per  month,  and  employed  300  men.  At  the  present  time  the 
mine  has  reached  a  depth  of  650  feet.  The  output  is  about 
2,000  tons  per  month  and  ]  50  hands  are  employed.  Mr.  Cos 
griff  is  the  general  superintendent  of  the  works,  and  his  skill 
and  knowledge  of  the  business  are  unquestioned. 

The  following  list  includes  some  of  the  rarer  minerals  of  Tilly 
Foster  Mine: 

Chondrodite — color  yellowish  red  and  garnet  red.  Crystals 
are  beautiful  and  rare.  In  its  massive  form  and  mixed  with 
other  minerals,  it  is  abundant  here. 

Magnetite— Iron  black,  has  a  metallic  lustre. 

Serpentine — dark  green.  Is  easily  scratched  with  a  knife, 
has  a  greasy  feeling.     There  are  many  varieties  at  this  mine. 

Brucite — foliated,  lustre — pearl. 

Enstatite — has  a  fibrous  appearance,  grayish  white. 

Actinolite — a  variety  of  amphibole,  color  light  green. 

Apatite — hexagonal,  grayish  green. 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  477 

Pyrrhotite — hexagonal,  bronze  yellow.  Is  attracted  by  the 
magnet. 

Fluorite — purple  or  yellow,  admits  a  polish. 

Albite — white,  fracture,  uneven. 

Epidote — yellowish  green,  and  gray. 

Sphene — also  called  titanite,  grayish  brown,  edges  of  crystals 
are  sharp. 

In  the  transactions  of  Connecticut  Academy,  Vol.  Ill,  is  an 
interesting  article  on  the  chondrodite  of  this  mine.  An  article 
on  serpentine  pseudomorphs  is  in  the  "American  Journal  of 
Science,"  Vol.  XIII,  1874. 

Croton  Reservoir. — By  an  Act  to  facilitate  the  acquisition 
of  land  for  the  extension  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct  Water 
Works,  passed  April  3d,  1865,  it  was  enacted  that  the  Croton 
Acqueduct  Board  were  authorized  to  acquire  title  to  such  pieces 
of  land  in  the  counties  of  Putnam  and  Westchester  as  in  their 
judgment  might  be  necessary  for  the  purjjose  of  constructing 
storage  reservoirs,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  a  full  supply 
of  water  during  the  season  when  the  daily  flow  of  Croton  River 
was  insuflBicient  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  city  of  New  York. 
The  board  were  to  have  full  power  to  enter  upon  the  lands  for 
the  purpose  of  making  surveys,  and  to  agree  with  the  owners 
in  respect  to  compensation  to  be  made  for  the  land  taken,  and 
in  case  of  disagreement  they  were  to  present  a  petition  to  the 
Supreme  Court  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners  to  ap- 
praise the  damage. 

In  accordance  with  this  act  and  acts  passed  in  1871,  steps 
were  taken  to  acquire  title  to  the  lands  now  covered  by  the 
reservoir  near  the  Tilly  Foster  Mines.  The  largest  tracts  taken 
were  116  acres  belonging  to  Mrs.  Adah  Mead,  near  the  south 
end,  and  generally  known  as  the  "  Moseman  5.  Hyatt  place;" 
59  acres  were  taken  from  the  east  end  of  the  farm  of  Reuben  W. 
Kirkham,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Enoch  Crosby;  53  acres 
belonged  to  Frederick  Knox;  the  western  part  of  the  farm  of 
Isaac  Kelley,  embracing  110  acres;  44  acres  belonging  to  the  Tilly 
Foster  Mines,  and  46  acres  of  the  farm  of  Theodore  Kelley.  The 
house  and  farm  buildings  of  Isaac  Kelley  stood  on  what  is  now 
a  small  island  in  the  reservoir,  visible  when  the  water  is  low, 
and  were  moved  to  the  highland  to  the  east,  where  they  now 
stand. 

The  work  of  building  the  dam  was  commenced  in  December, 


478  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

1874,  and  the  reservoir  was  filled  in  December,  1878.  The  cost 
of  this  reservoir  was  $656,000.  The  elevation  is  375  feet  above 
tide  water.  The  old  school  house  in  this  neighborhood  stood 
on  the  north  side  of  the  present  road  over  the  reservoir,  a  short 
distance  east  of  the  bridge.  A  still  older  one  was  standing  at 
the  beginning  of  the  century,  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  and 
nearly  opposite. 

Descendants  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent. — ^Rev.  Elisha  Kent 
was  son  of  John  Kent,  and  was  born  in  Suffield,  Conn.,  in  1703, 
and  died  July  17th,  1776.  He  came  to  Southeast  from  Newtown, 
Fairfield  county,  Conn.,  and  purchased  the  south  half  of  Lot 
11  on  the  Oblong  from  the  original  owner,  William  Smith, 
"Lawyer  of  New  York,"  August  3d,  1743.  Upon  this  tract  he 
built  his  home,  where  he  lived  and  died. 

Mr.  Kent  married  Abigail  Moss,  and  they  were  the  parents  of 
five  children  :  Moss,  born  March  25th,  1733,  died  February  4th, 
1794;  Mary,  married  Malcora  Morrison;  Lucy,  married  Charles 
CuUen;  Sybil,  married  John  Kane;  Sarah,  married  Major  Alex- 
ander Grant.  Mrs.  Abigail  Kent  died  in  Southeast  in  January, 
1751,  aged  33.  After  her  decease  Mr.  Kent  married  Mrs.  Ray- 
mond, sister  of  Governor  Fitch  of  Connecticut.  She  survived 
her  husband.     There  were  no  children  by  this  marriage. 

Moss  Kent  lived  in  Southeast  on  a  farm  which  he  held  by 
perpetual  lease  from  Philip  Philipse.  He  graduated  from  Yale 
College,  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1756,  and  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Dutchess  county.  He  afterward  lived  at 
Waterford,  and  died  in  New  York  February  4th,  1794.  Remar- 
ried Abigail,  daughter  of  Dr.  Uriah  and  Hannah  Rogers.  She 
died  in  Southeast  December  30th,  1771,  at  the  age  of  36.  The 
children  of  this  marriage  were  :  Chancellor  James  Kent  (See 
chapter  on  Bench  and  Bar);  Hon.  Moss  Kent,  2d,  born  April  3d- 
1766,  moved  to  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  and  died  unmarried,  May 
30th,  1838;  Hannah,  born  October  10th,  1768,  married  William 
P.  Piatt  October  11th,  and  died  December  12th,  1846. 

Chancellor  James  Kent  married  Elizabeth  Bailey.  She  was 
born  September  10th,  1768,  and  died  June  19th,  1851.  Their 
children  were:  Hon.  William  Kent,  born  October  2d,  1802; 
Eliza,  born  February  16th,  1796,  married  Isaac  S.  Hone;  and 
Mary,  the  second  wife  of  Rev.  John  S.  Stone,  now  living  in 
Cambridge,  Mass. 


TOWN   OP   SOUTHEAST.  479 

Hon.  William  Kent  married  Helen  Riggs.  They  had  one  son, 
James  Kent,  of  Fishkill,  who  married  Sarah  Irving  Clark. 
Their  children  are  :  James  Kent,  jr.,  who  married  Louisa  Morris 
Stewart;  Edward  Clark  Kent;  William  Kent,  who  married 
Emily  Lorillard;  and  W.  Irving  Kent,  who  married  Helen  Y.  C. 
Stewart. 

Eliza  Kent,  daughter  of  Chancellor  James  Kent,  married 
Isaac  Stone.  Their  daughter,  Elizabeth  Kent  Stone,  married 
William  H.  Ashurst.  Their  children  were:  William  H.,  Kate, 
Emily,  Elizabeth  K.,  Alice  and  Fannie. 

Mary  Kent,  daughter  of  Chancellor  James  Kent,  married  Rev. 
John  S.  Stone.  Their  children,  are:  James  Kent  Stone,  born 
November  10th,  1840,  married  Cornelia  Fay;  William  Kent 
Stone,  born  January  31st,  1842;  Henry  Van  Dyck  Stone,  born 
August  9th,  1843,  killed  at  Gettysburg,  July  3d,  1863;  Eliza- 
beth Kent  Stone,  born  March  22d,  1846;  Charles  Simeon  §tpne, 
born  November  26th,  1848;  Philip  Sidney  Stone,  born  January 
29th,  1852. 

Mary  Kent,  daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  married  Malcom 
Morrison.  He  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth  and  lived  in  the  pres- 
ent village  of  Patterson.  He  also  held  a  large  tract  by  lease  for 
life  from  Philip  Philipse,  which  was  in  the  northeast  part  of 
the  town  of  Kent.  The  lease  was  dated  May  3d,  1767,  and  states 
that  Malcom  Morrison  was  27  years  old,  his  wife  Mary  24,  and 
their  son  Archibald  3  years  old.  Their  children  were:  Archi- 
bald, who  lived  at  Eton  Hall,  Kent,  England  (He  was  married 
twice  but  left  no  children);  Susan,  wife  of  James  Adams;  and 
Sophia,  first  wife  of  Rev.  John  S.  Stone,  whose  children  were: 
Archibald  Morrison  Stone,  to  whom  Archibald  Morrison,  his 
uncle,  left  his  fortune,  on  condition  of  assuming  his  name  (He 
is  now  Rev.  Archibald  Morrison,  of  Morristown,  N.  J.),  and 
Mary  Kent  Stone.. 

Malcom  Morrison  was  one  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  for 
Dutchess  county  before  the  Revolution.  Being  a  Loyalist,  he 
left  the  country,  after  the  war. 

Lucy  Kent,  daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha  Keht,  married  Charles 
C alien,  who  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland,  June  14th,  1744. 
He  was  a  merchant  and  had  a  house  and  store  at  the  village  of 
Milltown  in  Southeast.  He  was  a  Loyalist  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  about  1783  removed  from  Milltown  to  a  farm  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  south  of  Carmel,  where  he  died  November  5th, 


480  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

1787.  They  were  married  about  1768.  Mrs.  Lucy  CuUen  died  on 
the  farm  near  Carmel  some  years  after  her  husband.  Where 
they  were  buried  is  unknown,  but  probably  it  was  in  the  old 
Grilead  burying  ground,  which  is  on  a  lot  of  the  farm  where 
they  lived.  Their  children  were:  John,  who  died  unmarried; 
Charles,  who  died  unmarried;  and  Susan  De  Lancey,  born  Oc- 
tober 14th,  1784,  died  June  23d,  1863.  She  married  James  Van 
Rensselaer,  son  of  Gen.  Robert  Van  Rensselaer,  of  the  Revo- 
lution, whose  sister  married  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler.  He  died  in 
1847.  Their  children  were:  John  CuUen  Van  Rensselaer,  born 
February  16th,  1812,  living  in  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey; 
Cornelia  Rutsen;  Susan  Cullen,  wife  of  Henry  Weston,  who 
has  children:  Rensselaer,  Henry  D.,  James  C,  and  Willough- 
by,  born  August  23d,  1848,  married  Katharine  Janeway,  and 
has  a  son,  Henry,  born  in  August,  1876;  and  Angelica  Schuyler. 

John  Cullen  Van  Rensselaer  married  Cornelia  J.  Codwise. 
Their  children  were:  Mary,  born  May  7th,  1839,  died  February 
5th,  1871  (She  married  Andrew  K.  Cogswell,  and  left  one  son, 
Cullen  Van  Rensselaer  Cogswell);  Nina,  born  November  3d, 
1840,  married  David  Olyphant  Vail,  and  has  children,  Anna  M. 
and  Cornelia  V.  R. ;  and  Schuyler,  born  July  6th,  1845,  died 
March.  5th,  1884.  He  married  Mariana  Griswold,  and  left  one 
son,  George  Griswold  Van  Rensselaer,  born  February  11th, 
1875. 

Sarah  Kent,  daughter  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  married  Major 
Alexander  Grant,  of  the  42d  Highland  Regiment.  He  was  liv- 
ing previous  to  the  Revolution-  on  a  farm  on  the  "  Gore,"  north 
of  Patterson  village.  He  was  killed  at  the  storming  of  Fort 
Montgomery,  while  in  the  British  service,  as  a  major,  October 
7th,  1771.  He  was  buried  there,  and  his  tombstone  was  to  be 
seen  in  1846.  His  widow  went  to  New  Brunswick,  Canada, 
after  the  war,  with  her  brother-in-law,  John  Kane,  and  perished 
there  in  a  snow  storm. 

In  the  old  burying  ground  by  the  Presbyterian  church,  in 
Patterson,  are  the  graves  of  Capt.  James  Grant,  who  died  in 
1796,  aged  69;  and  his  wife,  Christina,  who  died  in  1838,  aged 
76,  and  their  son  Robert,  in  1830,  aged  40.  A  plain  stone  near 
them  bears  the  following: 

"  This  granite  slab  is  erected  by  Robert  Grant  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of 
Wm.  Alexander  Grant,  his  brother,  son  of  Capt.  James  and  Christina  Grant, 
emigrants  from  Scotland,  who  departed  this  terrestrial  hemisphere  Sept.  26, 
IS'20,  aged  31  years  5  months." 


TOWN   OF    SOUTHEAST.  481 

"  Cui  Pudor  et  justitice  sorror 
Inoorrupta  fides,  nudaque  Veritas 
Qiiando  invenient  ullem parem.'' 

Sybil  Kent,  daughter  of  Rev.  Elislia  Kent,  married  John 
Kane.  He  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  the  holder  of  a 
farm  on  the  "  Gore  "  in  the  town  of  Pawling,  Dutchess  county, 
N.  Y.,  as  a  tenant  of  the  Philipse  family,  before  the  Revolu- 
tion. This  farm  is  now  owned  by  William  H.  Chapman,  Esq. 
John  Kane,  being  a  Loyalist,  was  forced  like  many  others  to 
go  as  exile  to  New  Brunswick,  where  they  suffered  severely. 
They  afterward  returned  to  this  country.  The  children  of  this 
marriage  were:  John,  who  married  Maria  Codwise;  Martha, 
wife  of  Gilbert  R.  Livingston;  Abigail,  wife  of  John  Lawrence; 
Charles,  who  married  Maria  Wray;  Oliver,  who  married  Anna 
Eliza  Clark;  Elias,  who  married  D.  Van  Skelluyne;  Mary,  wife 
of  Gov.  Joseph  C.  Yates;  Sybil  Adeline,  wife  of  Jeremiah  Van 
Rensselaer;  James,  died  unmarried;  Sally,  wife  of  Thomas 
Morris,  son  of  Hon.  Robert  Morris  of  the  Revolution;  and 
Elisha  Kent. 

Elisha  Kent  Kane  married  Alida  Van  Rensselaer,  sister  of 
James  and  Jeremiah  V.  R.  Their  son,  Hon  John  K.  Kane, 
U.  S.  Judge,  Philadelphia,  married  Jane  Duval  Lieper.  Their 
children  were:  Dr.  Elisha  Kent  Kane,  the  Artie  explorer,  born 
February  3d,  1822,  died  in  Havana,  February  16th,  1857;  Gen. 
Thomas  'L.  Kane;  Robert  Patterson  Kane;  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Rev.  C.  W.  Shields,  of  Princeton;  and  Dr.  John  K.  Kane. 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  who  married  Sybil  Adeline  Kane, 
was  brother  of  James  V.  R.,  who  married  Susan  De  Lancey 
Cullen.  The  children  of  Jeremiah  and  Sybil  Van  Rensselaer 
were:  Robert,  who  married  Margaret  Stuyvesant;  Alida,  wife 
of  Hon.  Charles  H.  Carroll;  Cornelia,  wife  of  Hon.  Francis 
Granger;  Archibald,  died  unmarried;  Jacob  R.,  married  Vir- 
ginia Hatchings;  James,  died  unmarried;  and  Catharine,  died 
unmarried. 

Hon.  Francis  Granger,  who  married  Cornelia  Van  Rensselaer, 
had  two  children,  Gideon  and  Adeline;  the  latter  is  the  wife  of 
Hon  Robert  Winthrop,  of  Boston. 

Gilbert  R.  Livingston,  who  married  Martha  Kane,  was  the 
father  of  Rev.  Gilbert  Livingston,  of  Coxsackie,  N.  Y.,  whose 
son,  Henry  G.  Livingston,  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Carmel.     He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Ray- 

31 


482  HISTORY   OF  PUTISTAM   OOUNTY. 

mond,  and  their  children,  Julia  R.  and  Gilbert  R.  Livingston, 
are  the  only  descendants  of  Rev.  Elisha  Kent,  vt^ho  are  now 
living  in  the  county  where  he  lived  and  labored  and  died,  and 
is  buried. 

EisrocH  Crosby,  who  is  generally  believed  to  have  been  the 
original  of  "Harvey  Birch,"  the  hero  of  Cooper's  famous  novel 
"  The  Spy,"  was  born  in  Harwich,  Mass.,  January  4th,  1750. 
He  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Crosby,  veho  came  to 
the  Philipse  Patent  when  Enoch  was  three  years  old.  His 
father  settled  in  what  is  now  Carmel,  and  occupied  a  farm  on 
which  the  Drew  Ladies'  Seminary  is  situated,  and  extended  to, 
and  included,  the  site  of  the  old  Gilead  burying  ground,  and 
where  the  Grilead  meeting  house  afterward  stood.  He  was  liv- 
ing on  this  farm  in  1754,  and  it  was  in  his  possession  in  1762. 
In  1766  this  farm  was  granted  by  a  perpetual  lease  to  James 
Dickinson,  by  Philip  Philipse,  and  is  mentioned  as  "formerly 
in  possession  of  Thomas  Crosby."  After  leaving  this  farm  he  is 
said  to  have  settled  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  South- 
east, but  of  this  there  is  no  positive  knowledge. 

As  his  name  does  not  appear  on  the  tax  list  of  1777,  it  is 
probable  that  he  died  previous  to  that  time.  A  plain  stone  in 
the  old  Gilead  burying  ground  records  the  death  of  "Elizabeth, 
widow  of  Thomas  Crosby,"  August  6th,  1801,  aged  92.  It  seems 
that  about  1766  he  experienced  severe  misfortune  and  from  a 
state  of  comparative  comfort  was  reduced  to  poverty.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  Enoch  left  home  to  depend  "  upon  his  own  ex- 
ertions for  support,  with  a  scanty  outfit  of  clothes,  a  few  shill- 
ings in  money  and  a  small  Bible,"  but  carrying  with  him  the 
priceless  treasure  of  his  parents'  blessing.  He  became  an  ap- 
prentice to  a  worthy  man  who  resided  in  what  is  now  the  town 
of  Kent  and  there  learned  "the  art  and  mystery  of  a  cord- 
wainer"  or  shoemaker.  He  faithfully  fulfilled  his  term  of  ser- 
vice, which  terminated  January  4th,  1771,  his  21st  birthday. 

Young  Crosby,  who  was  living  in  Danbury  when  the  news 
came  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist 
in  a  company  under  Captain  Benedict,  and  was  shortly  after- 
ward sent  with  his  company  to  take  part  in  the  expedition 
against  Canada  under  Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery.  In 
this  expedition  he  first  "  saw  war"  in  all  its  stern  reality.  He, 
with  many  others,  was  attacked  by  severe  illness,  but  returned 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  483 

to  his  company  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  do  so.  He  remained 
till  the  army  took  possession  of  Montreal,  and  then,  his  term  of 
enlistment  having  expired,  he  resolved  to  return  to  the  scenes 
of  his  childhood.  In  company  with  several  others  he  embarked 
in  a  small  schooner  for  Crown  Point.  From  thence  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Ticonderoga  on  foot,  and  then  taking  a  small  boat 
rowed  to  Sabbath  Day  Point,  on  Lake  George.  There  the  only 
shelter  they  could  find  was  an  old  pig  sty,  which  they  filled 
with  brush  and  straw,  and  laid  down  to  rest.  After  several 
days  of  fatigue  and  suffering  he  reached  Danbury  and  resumed 
his  former  occupation.  When  the  Revolution  had  fairly  begun, 
the  colony  of  New  York  organized  a  "Provincial  Congress," 
which  was  the  recognized  government.  This  Congress  appointed 
a  committee  of  safety  consisting  of  Messrs.  Jay,  Piatt,  Duer 
and  Sackett,  whose  duty  it  was  to  counteract  the  plans  and  in- 
trigues of  the  tories,  who  abounded  and  embraced  many  men 
of  high  standing  and  influence.  Crosby,  now  in  his  27th  year, 
resolved  again  to  enter  the  service  of  his  country,  and  should- 
ering his  musket  and  knapsack  bent  his  course  toward  the 
headquarters  of  the  American  army.  It  was  toward  the  close 
of  a  warm  day  in  September,  1776,  that  he  reached  a  wild  and 
romantic  ravine  in  the  county  of  Westchester.  Here  he  fell  in 
with  a  man  who  was  a  tory  himself  and  supposed  Crosby  to  be 
one,  on  his  way  to  join  the  British.  The  stranger  cautioned 
him  as  to  the  danger  of  the  way,  as  "  the  rebels  were  on  the 
alert."  Crosby,  with  affected  concern,  inquired  what  course  it 
would  be  best  to  pursue,  and  was  advised  by  the  stranger  to  go 
with  him  to  his  home  and  to  go  down  to  the  British  with  a  com- 
pany which  was  then  forming.  Seeing  in  this  a  favorable  op- 
portunity to  strike  a  blow  for  the  country,  Crosby  accepted  the 
invitation,  and  was  soon  introduced  to  a  number  of  men  who 
were  bitterly  hostile  to  the  friends  of  liberty.  At  the  end  of 
three  days  he  had  made  himself  master  of  all  the  information 
in  their  power  to  communicate,  and  told  his  host  that  he  was 
too  impatient  to  join  the  enemy  to  wait  the  slow  movements  of 
the  company,  and  despite  the  warnings  against  so  hazardous  a 
journey,  took  his  leave,  and  was  soon  out  of  sight  on  the  road 
to  New  York. 

He  then  made  all  haste  to  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Young,  who 
lived  within  eight  miles  of  White  Plains,  and  who  was  well 
known  as  a  friend  of  the  "upper  party,"  as  the  Americans 


484  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

were  called.  The  whole  affair  was  soon  explained,  and  Crosby 
and  Mr.  Young  were  on  their  way  to  White  Plains,  where  the 
committee  of  safety  were  then  sitting,  and  were  soon  in  the 
presence  of  Judge  John  Jay,  one  of  the  most  vigilant  guardians 
of  the  public  safety. 

The  committee  were  quickly  convened  and  Crosby  was  directed 
to  be  in  readiness  to  go  with  a  company  of  Rangers  to  the  place 
where  the  tories  held  their  secret  meetings.  The  plan  was  suc- 
cessful and  the  whole  gang  was  captured.  The  chairman.  Judge 
Jay,  seeing  his  peculiar  ability,  urged  him  to  serve  his  country 
as  a  secret  agent,  and  to  that  he  agreed,  only  stipulating  that 
in  case  of  his  death  they  should  do  justice  to  his  memory.  He 
received  a  pass,  which  he  was  instructed  never  to  show  except 
in  dire  necessity,  and  if  he  should  be  arrested  as  an  emissary  of 
the  enemy,  means  were  to  be  furnished  to  enable  him  to  escape. 

Equipping  himself  with  a  peddler's  pack,  containing  a  com- 
plete set  of  shoemaker's  tools,  he  sallied  out  on  his  new  and 
dangerous  mission.  He  soon  found  that  a  company  was  form- 
ing for  the  purpose  of  joining  the  British,  and  resolved  to  join 
it.  Making  the  acquaintance  and  gaining  the  confidence  of  the 
leader,  he  was  shown  to  the  hiding  place  of  the  company,  which 
was  the  interior  of  an  immense  hay  stack.  While  the  company 
were  asleep,  Crosby  rose  and  hastened  to  White  Plains,  and 
the  result  was  the  arrest  of  the  whole  company,  Crosby  among 
the  rest,  as  he  had  returned  as  soon  as  he  had  given  his  informa- 
tion. When  the  prisoners  were  examined  at  White  Plains,  they 
were  sent  under  guard  to  Fishkill,  and  Crosby  was  privately 
informed  that  an  opportunity  would  be  given  him  to  escape. 

On  arriving  at  Fishkill  they  were  confined  in  a  church.  Crosby 
in  his  turn  was  brought  before  the  committee  of  safety,  who 
had  come  from  White  Plains.  As  soon  as  the  officer  retired, 
the  committee  gave  him  directions  how  to  escape.  Being  re- 
turned to  the  church,  their  temporary  prison,  Crosby  made  his 
escape  from  a  window,  and  went  off  unharmed,  by  the  fire  of 
the  sentinel.  His  next  exploit  was  the  discovery  of  a  company 
which  was  recruited  by  an  English  captain  and  was  hidden  in 
the  Highlands  on  the  west  side  of  the  river.  After  joining  them 
and  finding  out  their  plans  and  place  of  rendezvous  he  hastened 
to  a  man  whom  he  knew  to  be  a  warm  friend  to  the  country,  and 
sent  a  letter  to  the  committee  of  safety  requesting  them  to  send 
Captain  Townsend's  company  of  Rangers,    and  intercept   the 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  485 

company  when  they  came  to  their  place  of  meeting.  This  plan 
was  also  successful,  and  the  whole  company  were  arrested, 
Crosby  with  the  rest.  Among  the  band  of  Townsend's  Rangers 
was  Mr.  William  Duer,  who  was  one  of  the  committee  of  safety 
and  had  come  with  them  expressly  to  give  Crosby  a  chance  to 
escape.  Captain  Townsend,  all  unaware  of  the  real  character 
of  the  spy,  was  overjoyed  at  the  capture  of  Crosby  who  had 
escaped  from  him  at  Fishkill. 

"Well  met  old  comrade,"  exclaimed  Townsend,  with  a  smile 
of  triumph,  "  you  showed  us  a  light  pair  of  heels  at  Fishkill, 
but  if  I  do  not  see  them  made  sufficiently  heavy  this  time  may 
I  never  be  a  Major."  "Who  is  he?"  asked  Duer,  innocently. 
"  Enoch  the  patriarch,"  returned  Townsend,  smiling  at  his  con- 
ceit; "  who  disappeared  from  the  church  at  Fishkill  almost  as 
mysteriously  as  his  ancient  namesake  is  said  to  have  done  from 
the  earth."  Crosby  was  carried  with  the  rest  to  Fishkill,  and 
while  the  others  were  confined  in  the  church,  he  was  taken  to 
the  residence  of  Judge  Jay,  which  was  the  temporary  head- 
quarters of  Captain  Townsend,  who  was  determined  that  his 
prisoner  should  not  again  escape,  and  still  ignorant  of  the  na- 
ture of  his  prize,  placed  him  in  a  room  under  a  strong  guard. 
A  strong  opiate  was  placed  in  the  brandy  that  was  given  to  the 
guard,  and  during  his  sleep,  Crosby  was  again  set  at  liberty,  and 
Captain  Townsend's  feelings  may  be  better  imagined  than  de- 
scribed, when  in  the  morning  he  found  his  prisoner  fled,  and 
the  only  explanation  was  that  he  must  Jiaoe  crawled  up  the 
chimney. 

Some  time  afterward  he  was  recognized  and  ca^Jture  by  some 
soldiers  who  heard  of  his  escape,  and  who,  rejoiced  at  the  idea  of 
having  taken  so  dangerous  an  enemy,  were  upon  the  point  of  tak- 
ing summary  vengeance.  At  the  last  extremity  Crosby  pro- 
duced his  secret  pass,  and  his  captors  were  struck  dumb  with 
amazement  when  they  recognized  the  well  known  signatures,  and 
changing  them  to  ask  no  further  questions  he  went  on  his  way. 
Among  his  various  places  of  resort  was  the  house  of  Dr.  Matthias 
Burner  Miller,  who  lived  in  Hopewell,  Dutchess  county,  and 
also  the  house  of  John  Jay,  who  for  a  while  made  his  residence 
near  Fishkill.  The  next  adventure  was  at  a  house  near  the  old 
Quaker  meeting  house  on  Quaker  Hill,  near  Pawling.  Here  a 
company  of  tories  held  their  meetings  and  Crosby,  who  joined 
them,  laid  a  plan  for  their  capture.     In  due  time  the  house  was 


486  HISTORY   Off  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

surrounded  by  an  armed  band  under  Colonel  Morehouse  and  the 
whole  gang  made  prisoners.  Some  leaped  from  the  windows 
while  Crosby,  who  professed  great  anxiety  to  escape,  hid  him- 
self under  a  bed.  Pretending  to  have  sprained  his  ankle,  and 
to  be  unable  to  walk,  Crosby  was  put  on  a  horse  behind  the 
colonel,  and  the  whole  cavalcade,  with  the  prisoners  tied  in  pairs, 
set  out.  In  a  whisper  the  colonel  gave  him  directions  for  escap- 
ing, and  at  an  opportune  moment  Crosby  slipped  from  the  horse 
and  was  gone. 

The  region  of  country  between  Harlem  River  and  Pines  Bridge 
Bridge  on  the  Croton  was  known  as  the  neutral  ground  and  was 
exposed  to  the  troops  of  both  parties.  The  inhabitants  were  in 
a  state  of  constant  alarm  and  neither  life  nor  property  was  safe. 
It  was  here  that  Crosby  ran  his  greatest  risk,  and  gained  much 
information  which  he  transmitted  to  the  American  oflBcers. 

Crosby's  continued  and  wonderful  escapes  finally  excited  sus- 
picions among  the  tories,  who  finally  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
he  was  an  American  spy,  and  they  resolved  on  speedy  vengeance. 
His  brother-in-law,  Solomon  Hopkins,  lived  about  two  miles 
from  Carmel,  on  the  road  to  Boyd's  Corners,  and  on  the  place 
now  owned  by  Mr.  Joseph  Haight.  To  this  house  Crosby  went 
on  a  visit.  He  was  watched  by  his  enemies,  and  on  the  second 
night  of  his  visit,  a  ball,  fired  through  the  window,  grazed  his 
neck  and  buried  itself  in  the  ceiling  opposite.  The  mark  of  the 
ball  was  visible  until  the  house  was  torn  down,  about  1875.  He 
was  now  compelled  to  be  constantly  on  guard,  and  slept  in  aback 
room  with  a  loaded  musket.  A  few  nights  afterward  an  armed 
gang  came  to  the  house,  pulled  his  brother-in-law  from  his  bed 
and  compelled  him  to  disclose  his  sleeping  place.  Crosby,  after 
a  desperate  resistance,  was  beaten  and  left  for  dead  and  the 
house  plundered.  The  neighbors,  aroused  by  the  report  of  fire- 
arms, assembled  and  pursued  the  ruffians,  who  were  overtaken 
on  the  banks  of  the  Croton  which  flowed  near.  Some  were  shot 
and  some  were  driven  into  the  river  and  drowned,  and  on  the  fall 
of  the  stream  in  the  spring  Crosby's  musket  was  found  with 
other  articles.  After  his  recovery  he  again  joined  the  army 
and  continued  his  services  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

After  the  Revolution  Enoch  Crosby  and  his  brother  Benjamin 
purchased  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  a  farm  of  276 
acres.  This  farm  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  reservoir 
near  the  Tilly  Foster  Iron  Mines.     Here  he  lived  during  the  re- 


TOWN   OF  SOUTHEAST.  '  487 

mainder  of  his  life.  For  many  years  he  was  justice  of  the 
peace  and  was  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  Common  Pleas  in 
1812-13,  and  was  supervisor  of  Southeast" during  the  last  men- 
tioned years.  He  was  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  old  Gilead 
church  and  a  worthy  member  till  the  day  of  his  death.  In  person 
he  was  tall,  being  six  feet  in  height  and  rather  slender.  He  was 
modest  in  his  demeanor  and  not  given  to  tell  or  boast  of  his 
exploits.  His  tombstone,  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  old 
Gilead  burying  ground,  bears  the  following  inscription:  "In 
Memory  of  Enoch  Crosby,  who  died  June  26,  1835,  Aged  85 
years,  5  months  and  21  days. 

At  the  time  of  the  trial  of  the  Astor  suit,  which  took  place 
in  New  York  in  November,  1827,  Enoch  Crosby  was  present  as  a 
witness.  At  that  time  Cooper's  "Spy"  was  being  played  at 
the  Park  Theater.  It  was  known  that  Crosby  was  in  the  city, 
and  as  the  original  of  "  Harvey  Birch  "  he  was  invited  to  at- 
tend. His  acceptance  was  announced,  and  a  large  audience 
greeted  the  old  soldier.  The  facts  which  Cooper  made  the  basis 
of  the  "  Spy  "  were  obtained  from  the  narrations  of  Hon.  John 
Jay,  who  did  not  disclose  the  name  of  the  secret  agent,  perhaps 
from  the  fact  that  the  animosities  of  the  Revolution  had  not 
yet  entirely  passed  away. 

The  adventures  of  Enoch  Crosby,  narrated  by  himself,  were 
published  in  a  small  book  entitled  "The  Spy  Unmasked,"  by 
Capt.  H.  L.  Barnum  in  1828.  A  portrait  from  a  pencil  sketch 
by  Capt.  Barnum  is  in  Lossing's  "Field  Book  of  the  Revo- 
lution." 

The  Doa>^e  Family. — The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  El- 
nathan  Doane,  who  came  from  Cape  Cod,  probably  as  early  as 
1745.  He  and  his  son,  Elnathan,  were  tenants  of  a  large  farm 
on  Lot  No.  6  in  Philipse  Patent,  in  1768,  but  the  old  homestead, 
which  is  still  in  possession  of  his  descendants,  was  the  north 
part  of  Lot  11  on  the  Oblong,  their  nearest  neighbor  being  Rev. 
Elisha  Kent,  who  owned  the  south  half  of  the  lot. 

Elnathan  Doane,  2d,  was  born  in  1747,  and  died  August  3d, 
1806.  He  was  twice  married;  first  to  Phebe  G-rifRn,  who  died 
June  10th,  1788,  aged  32,  and  second  to  Deborah  Penny.  His 
children  were: 

1.  Zenas,  who  died  unmarried. 

2.  Edmond,  born  in  1776,  and  died  July  6th,  1825.     He  mar- 


488  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

ried  Mary,  dangliter  of  Nehemiah  Smith,  and  they  were  parents 
of  six  children  :  Lewis,  Ambrose,  Phebe,  wife  of  John  Storms; 
Julia  A.,  wife  of  Samuel  Everett;  Maria,  and  Augustus  S. 

3.  Demas,  born  in  1786,  died  July  23d,  1830.  He  married 
Roxana  Richards  and  had  one  daughter,  Amelia,  who  married 
Azor  B.  Crane. 

4.  Elnathan,  born  in  1792,  died  November  11th,  1845.  He 
married  widow  Hester  Barrett,  and  had  two  daughters:  Deborah 
B.,  wife  of  M.  Brown,  and  Phebe. 

5.  Benjamin,  who  died  unmarried  August  17th,  1850,  age  68. 
Lewis  Doane  married  Julia  Kniffen,  and  their  children  were: 

Edmond,  Benjamin,  who  died  young;  and  Mary  E.,  wife  of 
Edwin  Dixon. 

Of  these,  Edmond  Doane  was  born  in  1841,  and  is  now  living 
on  the  estate  which  has  been  in  possession  of  the  family  since 
the  first  settlement.  In  1877  he  was  sheriff  of  Putnam  county, 
and  held  that  office  till  1880.  Devoting  much  of  bis  time  to 
travel  he  has  at  various  times  visited  different  portions  of  this 
country,  Canada  and  Europe.  Mr.  Doane  married  Carrie, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Nathan  W.  Wheeler.  She  died  in  1881,  leav- 
ing no  children. 

Augustus  S.  Doane  was  born  July  6th,  1822,  on  the  old  home- 
stead of  his  ancestors,  which  he  afterward  purchased  from  the 
rest  of  the  heirs.  During  his  entire  life  his  principal  business 
has  been  agriculture  on  his  large  estate. 

For  many  years  he  held  the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace, 
assessor,  and  justice  of  Sessions;  and  is  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  the  town  and  county.  He  married  Mrs.  Julia 
Doane,  widow  of  his  brother,  Lewis  Doane.  They  have  no 
children. 

The  Doane  farm,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  estates  in  the 
county,  was  originally  a  small  part  of  Lot  11  on  the  Oblong. 
The  original  homestead  was  built  very  near  the  present  resi- 
dence. A  line  of  stone  wall  a  short  distance  west  of  the  home- 
stead, and  a  few  feet  east  of  a  tenant  house  on  the  estate,  marks 
the  old  Oblong  line.  The  original  farm  has  been  largely  in- 
creased at  various  times  by  judicious  purchases,  and  it  now 
embraces  a  tract  of  more  than  700  acres.  From  this  family  the 
neighborhood  has  ever  borne  the  name  of  Doansburg. 

In  the  buiying  ground  is  a  tombstone  to  the  memory  of 
"Ruth,  widow  of  Reuben  Doane,  who  died  September  30th, 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  489 

1801,  aged  69."     It  is  probable  that  Reuben  Doane  was  an  elder 
brother  of  Elnathan,  2d,  and  left  no  descendants. 

Zenas  and  Demas  Doane  lived  east  of  the  village  of  Brewster, 
on  the  place  where  the  Borden  Condensed  Milk  Factory  now 
stands.  From  them  the  neighborhood  was  formerly  known  as 
Doanesville.  • 

DxVNiEL  Drew  was  born  July  29th,  1797,  at  Carmel,  Putnam 
county,  N.  Y.  His  earlj^  years  were  sj^ent  on  the  farm,  and  his 
education  included  habits  of  industry  and  frugality  with  the 
rudiments  of  knowledge  gathered  at  the  winter  country  schools. 
In  1812  his  father  died,  having  little  or  no  property,  and  at 
eighteen  the  lad  began  business  on  his  own  account.  Five  years 
he  spent  in  driving  cattle  from  Putnam  county  to  New  York 
city,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  had  gained  what  was  better 
than  money,  a  practical  knowledge  of  business,  and  he  made 
use  of  this  knowledge  in  after  years  with  great  success.  His 
name  may  be  added  to  the  long  list  of  others  whose  lives  have 
shown  the  permanent  value  of  industry,  and  doubtless  many  a 
l)low-boy  and  many  young  men  in  various  occupations  and  in 
different  parts  of  this  land  have  received  inspirations  of  activity 
and  of  strenuoiis  battle  against  indolence  from  the  history  of 
Daniel  Drew. 

He  united  with  the  Methodist  Church  in  1811,  but  amid  the 
temptations  and  perils  of  the  business  in  which  he  had  em- 
barked he  lost  his  religious  character  until  about  1844,  but  the 
godly  training  of  his  pious  mother  and  the  early  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  in  his  heart  were  never  entirely  forgotteti,  and  he 
was  enabled  to  avoid  the  chief  vices  of  men  in  the  cattle  trade, 
such  as  intemperance  and  profanity. 

In  1820  he  married,  and  the  home  inflaences  now  brought 
about  him  aided  in  keeping  him  from  evil  habits  and  associa- 
tions. A  striking  incident  that  occurred  not  long  before  his 
marriage  made  a  deep  and  permanent  impression  on  his  mind. 
He  had  driven  out,  with  a  companion,  from  New  York  to  Man- 
hattanville  in  a  gig.  Fastening  his  horse  under  a  tree,  they 
went  to  a  field  to  examine  some  cattle.  A  storm  came  up 
suddenly  and  they  returned  to  the  gig  for  shelter.  Hardly 
were  they  started,  when  they  were  stunned  by  lightning.  When 
they  revived  the  horse  lay  dead  before  them.  It  was  a  marvel- 
ous escape  and  Mr.  Drew  never  forgot  it. 


490  HISTOBY    OF   PUTN^AM    COUNTY. 

In  1827  Mr.  Drew  removed  to  New  York  city,  where  he  con- 
tinued the  cattle  trade  for  some  ten  years  longer.  Part  of  the 
time  he  kept  the  old  "  Bull's  Head  "  tavern  in  the  "  Bowerie," 
a  famous  resort  of  butchers  and  drovers,  and  in  fact  a  sort  of 
cattle  dealers'  exchange.  His  first  ventures  laj^  in  near  trade 
with  adjacent  counties  in  New  York,  then  to  Pennsylvania, 
afterward  into  the  great  West.  He  and  his  partners  brought 
the  first  large  drove  of  cattle  that  ever  crossed  the  AUeghanies, 
two  thousand  head,  in  droves  of  one  hundred  each.  The  busi- 
ness above  sketched  would  be  sufficient,  one  would  think,  to  oc- 
cupy all  the  time  and  thoughts  of  any  one  man,  however  emi- 
nent in  capacity,  but  it  formed  only  one  department  of  Mr. 
Drew's  activities.  In  1835  Mr.  Drew,  Mr.  St.  John  and  others 
established  a  line  of  steamboats  between  N"ew  York  and  Albany. 
This  enterprise  was  the  germ  of  the  present  w^ell-known  and 
popular  "People's  Line."  Mr.  Drew's  steamboat  business  was 
still  more  widely  extended  by  the  purchase,  in  1849,  by  Drew, 
Robinson  &  Co.,  of  the  Champlain  Transportation  Company's 
stock,  with  a  capital  of  §150,000,  with  five  steamboats  running 
from  AVhitehall  to  Canada.  Of  all  these  varied  and  gigantic 
operations  Mr.  Drew  was  the  master  spirit.  When  he  first  en- 
tered into  the  business  CoJiimodore  Vanderbilt  often  said  to  him, 
"You  have  no  business  in  this  trade,  you  don't  understand  it, 
and  you  can't  succeed."  Since  1836  there  have  been  forty  op- 
position boats  on  the  river,  not  one  of  which  was  a  complete 
success,  while  many  have  ruined  their  owners.  From  time  to 
time  this  company  continued  to  build  larger  and  better  boats 
to  meet  the  increasing  demand  of  passenger  and  freight  traffic 
until  1864,  when  they  launched  the  first  of  their  present  mag- 
nificent steamers,  the  "  St.  John,"  which  was  followed  the  suc- 
ceeding year  by  the  "Dean  Richmond,"  and  in  1867  the 
"Drew,"  the  largest  of  all,  was  completed.  As  the  internal 
decorations  and  arrangements  of  these  vessels  do  not  materially 
differ,  a  brief  description  of  the  latter  will  suffice  to  convey  an 
idea  of  the  character  of  the  boats  composing  this  fleet.  "  This 
majestic  steamer  is  about  400  feet  long  over  all;  width  of  hull, 
48  feet;  width  over  the  guards,  84  feet;  depth  of  hold,  10  feet; 
draft  of  water,  6  feet.  She  is  propelled  by  an  engine  of  82-inch 
cylinder,  15  feet  stroke,  carrying  from  20  to  25  pounds  of  steam. 
She  is  2,500  tons  burthen,  and  has  sleeping  accommodations  for 
over  1,000  passengers." 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  491 

In  1836,  Mr.  Drew  embarked  a  small  capital  in  the  banking 
business  in  Wall  street.  His  partner  endorsed  the  extension  of 
notes  of  a  friend  without  consulting  Mr.  Drew,  which  caused  a 
loss  of  over  $30,000.  In  1840,  he  associated  with  himself  Nel- 
son Robinson  and  Robert  W.  Kelley,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Drew,  Robinson  &  Co.  Mr.  Robinson  had  no  capital,  but  his 
character  and  talent  had  been  well  tested  by  Mr.  Drew  in  a  pre- 
vious business  connection.  The  details  of  the  business  were 
conducted  by  the  junior  partners,  but  its  leading  operations 
were  controlled  by  Mr.  Drew.  The  success  of  the  firm  was  re- 
markable. In  1853,  wishing  to  contract  his  cares  and  labors. 
Air.  Drew  retired  from  the  banking  business,  giving  it  up  to  his 
son  in-law,  R.  W.  Kelley,  who,  by  the  aid  of  Mr.  Drew  and  his 
strict  attention  to  business,  acquired  a  handsome  fortune.  A 
year  later  Mr.  Drew  was  called  back  from  his  retirement  by  the 
death  of  Mr.  Kelley  and  was  obliged  to  take  up  the  threads  of 
business  again.  Acting  on  his  principle  of  using  well  tried 
agents,  he  took  into  partnership  in  1855,  Mr.  E.  D.  Stanton, 
who  had  been  one  of  his  clerks.  What  the  success  of  the  firm 
was,  none  except  the  members  ever  knew,  but  the  name  of  the 
house  on  a  piece  of  paper  gave  it  currency  for  niore  thousands 
of  dollars  than  would  build  a  western  city.  Indeed  the  name 
of  Daniel  Drew,  endorsed  on  the  acceptances  of  the  Erie  Rail- 
road in  1855,  to  the  extent  of  a  million  and  a  half  of  dollars, 
sufficed  to  guarantee  their  value  and  to  give  them  currency. 
In  1857,  Mr.  Drew  was  elected  a  director  of  the  Harlem  Rail- 
road. The  property  was  in  a  very  depressed  condition,  and  the 
floating  debt  amounted  to  over  $600,000.  Mr.  Drew  and  Mr. 
Vanderbilt  endoi'sed  the  acceptances  of  the  road  to  pay  off  the 
debt.  Amid  all  the  cares  of  this  vast  and  varied  business  career 
Mr.  Drew  found  lime  for  practical  agriculture.  He  had  an 
estate  of  nearly  one  thousand  acres,  about  fifty  miles  distant 
from  the  city  on  the  Harlem  Railroad. 

His  only  son,  William  H.  Drew,  resides  at  "Drewscliffe,"  the 
homestead  farm,  where  is  situated  the  beautiful  cemetery  in 
which  his  father's  remains  were  interred  in  1879. 

On  Friday,  March  5th,  1870,  the  Drew  mansion,  corner  17th 
street  and  Broadway,  was  open  to  several  hundred  guests — the 
occasion  being  the  celebration  of  Mr.  Drew's  golden  wedding, 
he  having*  married  Miss  Roxanna  Mead  in  1820.  His  only 
brother,  Thomas  Drew,  was  present  with  his  wife,  a  sister  of 


492  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Mrs.  Drew.  This  couple  had  celebrated  their  golden  wedding 
only  two  years  previous.  Such  an  event  rarely  occurs — brothers 
marrying  sisters,  and  living  to  celebrated  golden  weddings,  both 
couples  being  present  at  the  respective  celebrations. 

As  naight  have  been  expected,  a  man  of  his  wealth  was  fre- 
quently called  upon  for  aid  to  secular  and  religious  objects,  and 
none  were  turned  away  who  brought  valid  and  substantial 
claim  for  assistance.  He  was  for  many  years  trustee  for  vari- 
ous institutions:  the  Biblical  Institute,  at  Concord;  the  Troy 
University;  Wesleyan  University;  and  St.  Paul's  M.  E.  Church, 
N.  Y.,  were  among  the  number.  He  founded  and  established 
the  Drew  Female  Seminary  and  College  at  Carmel,  also  pur- 
chased the  magnificent  Gibbons  estate  at  Madison,  N.  J.,  where 
he  founded  what  is  known  as  the  Drew  Theological  Seminary. 
Mr.  Drew  also  erected  the  Methodist  church  edifices  at  Brew- 
ster and  Carmel.  His  liberally  to  further  the  aims  of  en- 
lightened Christianity  is  his  monument,  and  it  vpill  endure 
when  the  names  of  railways  and  leviathan  steamers  are  blotted 
out. 

The  Theall  Family. — The  ancestor  of  this  family  was 
Ebenezer  Theall,  who  is  said  to  have  come  from  England.  Dur- 
ing the  Revolution  he  was  a  Loyalist,  and  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  White  Plains,  and  one  of  his  eldest  sons  is  said  to 
have  been  killed  in  the  same  engagement.  His  children  were: 
Samuel,  who  went  to  Nova  Scotia,  Isaac  and  Thomas  (both  of 
whom  went  to  Newburgh),  Anne  (who  died  unmarried),  Ebene- 
zer, and  Hackaliah. 

Hackaliah  Theall  was  born  November  18th,  1778,  and  died 
December  29th,  1824.  He  married  Huldah,  daughter  of 
Thatcher  Hopkins.  Their  children  were:  Lydia  L.,  born  May 
29th,  1804,  married  Levi  Jennings;  Nancy  G.,  born  September 
3d,  1806,  married  Israel  Underhill;  Nellie  A.,  born  February 
22d,  1808,  married  Bottsford  Noble;  Judge  Thatcher  H.,  born 
August  11th,  1810,  died  January  16th,  1886;  Arvah,  born  No- 
vember 26th,  1812;  Orwin,  born  November  26th,  1815;  and 
Susan,  born  December  31st,  1819,  married  Aaron  Jennings. 

The  homestead  where  the  family  were  born  was  the  farm  at 
Croton  Falls,  now  owned  by  Joel  Purdy.  The  only  members  of 
the  family  now  living  are  Mrs.  Noble,  Arvah  and  Orwin.  The 
last  resides  at  Peekskill. 


7lc^^y^^  yl^^ 


494  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

He  lived  and  died  a  baclielor. 

The  funeral  services  were  held  in  the  Croton  Falls  Baptist 
Church  January  21st,  1886,  after  which  his  remains  were  brought 
to  Carmel  and  interred  beside  his  kindred  in  the  Kelley  Ceme- 
tery. One  of  the  last  acts  of  Judge  Theall  was  to  contribute 
$1,000  for  extinguishing  the  debt  on  the  Baptist  church  at 
Croton  Falls. 

Mr.  Arvah  Theall,  the  younger  brother  of  the  judge,  was  also 
born  on  the  old  homestead  at  Croton  Falls.  During  the  life  of 
his  brother  he  was  his  able  assistant  and  associate:  both  work- 
ing in  unison  in  the  accomplishing  of  their  designs. 

The  house  in  which  their  father  lived  was  a  small  one-story 
building,  a  relic  of  former  days.  The  present  elegant  residence 
was  built  in  1856  upon  the  former  site,  and  located  on  the  east 
side  of  the  old  Croton  Turnpike,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  Croton 
River,  about  a  mile  north  of  the  county  line.  Upon  this  place 
Mr.  Theall  passed  the  evening  of  his  life  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
fortune  accumulated  by  constant  labor,  active  energy  and  care- 
ful calculation. 

GrENEEAL  James  Ryder  was  bom  at  the  homestead  in  South- 
east, Putnam  county,  and  educated  at  the  common  schools  and 
North  Salem  Academy.  He  spent  the  summers  on  the  farm 
after  he  was  eleven  years  old,  attended  school  in  the  winters  till 
he  was  19,  and  taught  school  for  seven  successive  winters.  He 
organized  the  uniformed  company  known  as  the  Putnam  Guards 
in  the  18th  Regiment,  and  was  elected  captain.  He  was  ap- . 
pointed  colonel  of  the  18th  Regiment  and»continued  in  the  office 
thirteen  years.  He  was  appointed  brigadier-general  of  the  7th 
Brigade  April  8th,  1864,  and  held  the  office  for  eleven  years. 

In  1863  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Harrisburg 
and  report  to  General  Couch;  before  it  reached  there  it  was  or- 
dered to  Baltimore  to  report  to  General  Schenck,  and  was  then 
ordered  to  the  front  to  report  to  General  French,  but  in  the  night 
the  order  was  changed  and  the  8th  Regiment,  N.  Y.  H.  A.,  was 
sent.  The  regiment  was  in  the  service  45  days,  most  of  the  time 
at  Fort  Marshall,  Baltimore. 

Colonel  Ryder  was  appointed  commissioner  of  the  Board  of 
Enrolment  of  the  10th  Congressional  District,  and  held  the  of- 
fice from  its  organization  to  its  close,  drawing  from  the  wheel 
the  name  of  every  man  who  was  drafted  in  the  10th  Congres- 


,y4wii-   ^MaM 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  495 

sional  District.  The  office  was  discontinued  on  the  8th  of  May, 
1865.  Being  in  command  of  the  7th  Brigade  from  the  death  of 
General  Parmenter  in  November,  1863,  he  was  able  to  render 
valuable  service  to  the  x^rovost  marshall  by  having  his  command 
in  readiness  to  guard  the  armories  and  preserve  order,  and  also 
furnished  a  battalion  of  four  companies  for  harbor  defense.  His 
time  in  civil  life  has  been  spent  on  the  farm  and  as  a  merchant. 
He  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Bartram  &  Fanton  Manu- 
facturing Company  for  over  three  years.  He  resided  ten  years 
or  more  in  Danbury,  Conn.  He  was  commander  of  the  James 
E.  Moore  Post,  Q.  A.  K.,  Department  of  Connecticut,  for  three 
years;  one  year  chief  mustering  officer  Department  of  Connec- 
ticut, G.  A.  E,. ;  and  one  year  member  of  the  Council  of  Ad- 
ministration, same  department.  He  was  elected  representative 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  in  November,  1882, 
and  served  in  the  session  of  1883  on  the  committee  on  military 
affairs. 

He  was  married  November  8th,  1854,  to  Emily  A.  Beebe,  of 
Bethel,  Conn.  Mrs.  Ryder  died  January  21st,  1884.  Gen.  Ryder 
has  one  son,  Carroll,  living  in  Danbury. 

In  politics  he  is  a  republican  from  the  whig  school.  He  was 
delegate  frojn  Putnam  county  to  the  State  conventions  in  1856 
and  1865.  General  Ryder  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  at 
Peach  Pond. 

Hon.  Samuel  Harrison  Everett. — Among  the  men  of  note 
of  the  present  day  who  have  sprung  from  sturdy  Putnam  county 
stock,  none  has  carved  out  for  himself  a  nobler  record  than  the 
gentleman  whose  portrait  adorns  these  pages.  Samuel  Harrison 
Everett  was  born  in  the  town  of  Carmel,  April  8d,  1836.  When 
he  started  life  on  his  own  account  his  capital  consisted  of  cor- 
rect habits,  untiring  industry,  a  will  that  scorned  reverses,  and 
the  sum  of  thirteen  cents  in  specie.  He  made  fortune  after 
fortune  during  his  lifetime,  and  lost  them  through  no  fault  of 
his,  but  this  did  not  dampen  his  spirits  and  to-day  he  is  a  large 
real  estate  owner  and  derives  a  heavy  income  from  his  business. 

His  ancestors,  who  came  from  Scotland  about  the  middle  of 
the  Seventeenth  Century,  were  among  the  early  settlers  in 
America.  They  landed  on  Long  Island  in' the  year  1746,  and 
soon  after  some  moved  to  the  east  while  others  affected  a  per- 
manent settlement  in  Carmel,  Putnam  county.    Long  before  the 


496  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Revolutionary  War,  history  makes  mention  of  Isaac  Everett,  a 
mason  by  trade,  who  M^as  engaged  in  building  blast  furnaces  for 
melting  iron  ore.  The  record  of  real  estate  transfers  in  Putnam 
county  shows  these  facts.  By  deed  dated  June  13th,  1796, 
Abraham  Everett,  the  son  of  Isaac,  purchased  from  Frederick 
Philipse  a  tract  of  113  acres  of  arable  land  for  the  consideration 
of  £330  sterling.  Another  deed  from  the  same  party  to  Abra- 
ham, dated  May  19th,  1813,  conveyed  several  roods  of  land  for 
the  consideration  of  $352.50.  A  third  conveyance,  executed  be- 
tween the  same  parties  on  March  14th,  1814,  gave  Abraham  123 
acres  of  land,  for  which  he  paid  $988.  He  thus  became  a  large 
real  estate  owner  in  a  district  which  was  constantly  improving. 

Abraham  Everett  had  five  sons:  Charles,  Amos,  Samuel, 
Leonard  and  Abraham..  The  family  were  the  pioneers  in  the 
Western  cattle  trade,  and  they  drove  their  fatted  steers  to 
market  on  foot,  long  before  railroads  were  thought  of.  Charles 
was  the  eldest  son  and  the  father  of  Samuel  H.  Soon  after 
young  Samuel  was  born  he  moved  to  Southeast  and  purchased 
105  acres  of  land,  which  he  continued  to  add  to  till  he  acquired 
an  extensive  territory.  He  had  four  sons:  Oscar,  Samuel  Har- 
rison, Charles  Edwin,  and  Francis  Henry;  and  seven  daughters. 

While  little  more  than  an  infant  young  Samuel  showed  great 
ambition,  and  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  was  able  to  cope  with 
the  hired  workmen  on  his  father's  farm.  He  went  to  the  dis- 
trict school  in  winter  and  worked  on  the  farm  in  summer,  and 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  entered  Raymond  College,  where  he  pur- 
sued a  course  of  two  years,  under  the  presidency  of  Rev.  H. 
G.  Livingston.  Severe  studying  injured  his  health,  and  he  re- 
turned home  to  the  farm,  where  he  quickly  recuperated.  He 
soon  yearned  for  a  wider  field  of  action,  and  turned  his  face  to 
the  Metropolis.  When  he  left  the  old  homestead  his  mother 
embraced  him  tenderly  and  her  parting  words  were,  "  God 
speed  you,  Samuel."  He  had  $36  in  money  when  he  left,  but 
when  he  faced  life  in  New  York  he  had  nothing  but  the  capital 
mentioned  at  the  opening  of  this  sketch.  His  heart  never  failed 
him  and  soon  he  was  master  of  a  rich  bank  account.  Disaster 
overtook  him  in  the  inclement  weather  of  1862,  and  the  busi- 
ness he  had  established  was  literally  ruined.  The  stroke  fell 
with  severer  force,  for  he  had  then  become  a  husband  and 
father.  His  wife  was  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Percival, 
and  their  eldest  daughter  was  Ida  Bell   Everett.     He  accepted 


Sr^^ly  H a.  HcJl's  Sans,  ibfeui^IbrH. 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  497 

an  engagement  as  a  hotel  clerk  for  board  for  himself  and 
family,  and  four  years  later  his  second  daughter,  Evelyn  Per- 
cival  Everett  was  born.  Both  of  these  daughters  are  graduates 
of  Drew  Seminary  at  Carmel. 

He  sustained  a  severe  blow  on  March  12th,  1870,  in  the  loss 
of  Ms  affectionate  wife.  Her  father  proved  his  benefactor  and 
loaned  him  $6,000  with  which  he  purchased  the  old  People's 
Hotel  at  106  Vesey  street.  It  was  then  a  place  of  no  character 
and  the  resort  of  persons  little  better  than  tramps.  He  speedily 
transformed  it  into  a  first  class  hotel  and  finished  the  grand 
dining  room  in  a  style  equal  to  any  in  the  city.  The  Everett 
Hotel  now  occupies  parts  of  nine  city  lots,  and  extends  from 
Vesey  to  Barclay  street.  They  were  purchased  in  fee  simple 
for  $450,000,  and  the  chief  ownership  is  in  Samuel  Harrison 
Everett,  who  is  conducting  a  business  second  to  none  in  the 
land. 

Mr.  Everett  is  not  selfish,  he  lives  to  do  good  to  others  and  to 
better  the  world.  He  served  for  five  years  as  a  school  trustee 
for  the  Third  Ward  of  this  city,  and  resigned  to  take  a  seat 
in  the  Assembly  as  the  representative  of  his  native  county.  His 
labors  in  Albany  in  the  winter  of  1881  for  the  protection  oE  the 
Putnam  county  lakes  and  for  procuring  a  plentiful  supply  of 
pure  water  for  New  York  are  too  well  known  to  require  recapitu- 
lation here.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  defeat  of  Roscoe 
Conkling  and  Thomas  B.  Piatt,  who  resigned  their  seats  in  the 
United  States  Senate  and  sought  to  be  again  returned  for  their 
vindication.  Although  a  republican  he  persistently  voted 
against  them  and  remained  in  his  seat  fifty-six  consecutive  days 
for  that  purpose.  He  declined  the  republican  nomination  for  a 
second  term  for  the  Assembly,  but  under  the  pressure  brought 
to  bear  by  his  friends  he  reluctantly  accepted  the  nomination 
for  State  Senator  for  the  Fourteenth  District,  comprising  Co- 
lumbia, Dutchess  and  Putnam  counties.  He  made  an  unparal- 
leled run,  being  beaten  by  but  208  votes,  his  opponent  being 
the  Hon.  Homer  A.  Nelson,  a  popular  and  well-known  demo- 
crat. Recently  he  has  taken  no  active  part  in  politics  but  has 
always  been  ready  to  serve  his  partj''  in  conventions  and  when 
important  questions  arise.  His  large  business  and  his  charitable 
and  religious  work  engross  all  his  time. 

Mr.  Everett  is  now  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Rev. 
T.  De  Witt  Talmage's  Brooklyn  Tabernacle  and  he  has  served  as 

33 


498  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

a  trustee  for  some  years.  He  gives  to  the  poor  and  worthy  with 
a  generous  hand  and  his  donations  to  the  church  are  munificent. 
His  present  wife  is  the  daughter  of  A.  H.  Todd,  of  Katonah, 
N.  Y.,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  sons,  Samuel  H.,  jr.,  and 
Charles  E.,  2d,  and  one  daughter,  Susan  Mary.  Mr.  Everett 
stands  six  feet  high,  is  of  wiry  and  athletic  build,  and  his  dark 
features  beam  with  benevolence.  The  record  of  his  life  is  a 
chapter  young  men  could  study  with  profit. 

Danikl  W.  Dykeman. — Hezekiah  Dykeman,  the  oldest  son 
of  Capt.  Joseph  Dykeman,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  was  the 
father  of  Junia  Dykeman,  who  was  born  November  22d,  1785, 
and  died  March  6th,  1875.  The  old  homestead  of  Hezekiah 
Dykeman  is  still  standing  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  a  few 
rods  east  of  theNew  York  &  New  England  Railroad,  near  Dyke- 
man's  Station.  Junia  Dykeman  married  Sarah  Morehouse 
and  their  children  were:  Daniel  W.,  Sally  B.  and  Belinda  M. 

Daniel  W.  Dykeman  was  born  August  6th,  1814,  and  inher- 
ited the  homestead  of  his  father  near  Dykeman' s  Station.  This 
farm,  like  that  of  his  grandfather,  was  purchased  from  Frederick 
Philipse,  about  1811.  The  old  house  where  he  was  born  and 
where  his  early  life  was  passed,  was  torn  down  in  1849,  and  a  new 
one  erected  upon  its  site.  This  stood  until  1873,  when  it  was  re- 
moved and  the  present  elegant  residence  was  built  the  same 
year.  During  his  entire  life  Mr.  Dykeman  made  agriculture  his 
principal  business.  To  all  the  country  round  he  was  known  as 
an  active  and  worthy  citizen,  and  was  one  who  enjoyed  the  re- 
spect and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him.  For  many  years  he 
held  the  offices  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  assessor,  and  was  prom- 
inent in  town  affairs.  Mr.  Dykeman  married  Sarah  E.,  daughter 
of  Reuben  Crosby.  She  was  born  May  27th,  1822,  and  they 
were  married  January  28th,  1846.  After  the  death  of  his  first 
wife,  which  occurred  October  24th,  1851,  Mr.  Dykeman  married 
Emma  C.  Nickerson,  September  19th,  1853.  The  children  of 
the  first  marriage  were  Edwin  C.  and  William  H.,  both  of 
whom  died  in  childhood.  By  his  second  marriage,  Mr.  Dyke- 
man had  one  son,  Junia  W. 

Mr.  Junia  W.  Dykeman  inherited  the  homestead  on  the  death 
of  his  father,  which  occurred  September  12th,  1875.  He  still 
makes  the  place  his  home,  and  is  one  of  the  well  known  citi- 
zens of  the  town.     For  several  years  he  held  the  offices  of  justice 


TOWlSr  OF  SOUTHEAST.  499 

of  the  peace  and  justice  of  Sessions,  and  has  been  prominently 
connected  with  local  politics.  He  was  married  July  1st,  1877, 
to  Miss  Hellen  A.  Beatys.  They  have  four  children:  Junia  War- 
ren, Emma  Beatys,  Charles  Roof,  and  Lewis  How-es.  Mr.  Daniel 
W.  Dykeman  was  an  active  and  liberal  suporter  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  at  Doansburg. 

The  Brewster  Family.— Elder  William  Brewster,  one  of 
the  most  prominent  of  the  band  of  Pilgrims  who  came  in  the 
"  Mayflower,"  was  the  grandfather  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Brewster, 
who  was  in  the  first  class  that  graduated  from  Harvard  College, 
and  during  a  long  life  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Brookhaven,  Long  Island.  His  grandson,  Nathaniel  Brewster, 
removed  from  Brookhaven  to  Orange  county  about  the  middle 
of  the  last  century. 

His  son,  Samuel  Brewster,  who  was  born  in  1737,  was  one  of 
the  most  extensive  land  owners  in  Rockland  county  and  the 
proprietor  of  iron  mines  and  forges.  He  was  one  of  the  fore- 
most men  in  that  part  of  the  country.  He  was  an  officer  in  the 
Revolution  and  was  present  at  the  storming  of  Stony  Point  with 
Gen  Wayne.  His  tombstone,  in  a  family  burying  ground  near 
Stony  Point,  bears  the  following  inscription:  "  In  Memory  of 
Samuel  Brewster  who  departed  this  life  November  29,  1821, 
aged  84."  His  first  wife  was  named  Freelove,  the  second  Mary. 
His  children  were :  Samuel,  William,  Jonas,  Richard,  Walter 
and  Harriet. 

Samuel  Brewster,  the  oldest  son,  was  born  May  14th,  1786. 
When  a  youth  he  was  sent  to  school  in  Peekskill,  and  while 
there  made  the  acquaintance  of  his  future  wife,  Eliza,  daughter 
of  Ebenezer  Strang  of  Yorktown,  who  was  born  August  8th, 
1796,  and  in  due  time  they  were  married.  Taking  the  advice  of 
his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Brewster  came  to  the  town  of  Southeast 
and  purchased  a  farm  on  what  has  ever  since  been  called 
"  Brewster  Hill."  This  farm  he  purchased  from  Judge  William 
Watts,  but  it  was  formerly  in  possession  of  Maj.  Peter  Crosby. 
He  greatly  increased  his  real  estate  by  the  purchase  of  lands 
adjoining,  and  at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  500  acres.  This 
large  tract  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  line  between  Lots 
8  and  9  of  the  Philipse  Patent.  During  a  long  life  Mr.  Brewster 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  useful  citizens  of  the  county. 
He  was  a  captain  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  with  Major  Crosby 


500  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

and  Judge  Watts  was  in  after  years  instrumental  in  developing 
the  resources  of  the  county.  He  was  also  an  active  and  earnest 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Doansburg  during  the 
whole  period  of  his  residence  in  this  county.  He  died  April 
26th,  1871,  at  the  age  of  85. 

Mr.  Brewster  had  eight  children  :  William  Charles,  born  May 
31st,  1816,  now  living  on  a  part  of  his  father's  farm  in  South- 
east (He  married  Julia  Wynkoop  and  has  two  daughters, 
Julia  and  Virginia);  James  S.,  born  August  16th,  1819  (He  was 
possessed  of  considerable  mechanical  genius,  and  was  the  in- 
ventor of  the  gimlet  pointed  screw  now  in  universal  use,  and 
also  of  a  machine  for  hulling  rice;  he  died  unmarried  in 
Florida,  February  12th,  1882);  Frederick  G.,  born  April  3d, 
1821,  now  living  on  another  portion  of  the  ancestral  farm  in 
Southeast  (He  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Harry  Strang  of 
Yorktown.  Their  children  are:  Walter,  Henry,  Eliza,  wife  of 
Daniel  Barnes;  Josephine,  Margaret,  wife  of  William  Arm- 
strong; Martha,  Mary,  deceased,  and  Harriet,  wife  of  Wal- 
ter Johnston);  Walter  F.,  born  October  3d,  1822,  now  liv- 
ing in  the  village  of  Brewster,  which  he  founded  and  which 
bears  his  name  (He  married  Rosannah,  daughter  of  Charles  C. 
and  Anna  Hine  Jackson,  and  has  one  child,  Rosetta,  born 
June  5th,  1853,  the  wife  of  Leander  B.  Lent  of  Brewster. 
They  have  two  children:  Leon  B.  and  Elizabeth  B. ,  the  former 
born  July  22d,  1876,  thelatter  born  July  8th,  1880);  Samuel  W., 
born  April  28th,  1824,  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  of  his 
father  (He  married  Harriet,  daiighter  of  Eli  Crosby,  and  has 
one  daughter,  Isabel);  Harriet  C.  born  September  9th,  1826 
(She  married  William  Townsend,  who  was  formerly  school  com- 
missioner. Mrs.  Townsend  is  now  living  in  Brewster);  Eliza  S.,. 
born  January  19th,  1830,  and  died  at  the  age  of  12;  Theodore  T., 
born  April  11th,  1828,  lived  on  the  north  part  of  his  father's 
estate,  and  died  unmarried  in  1882. 

Mr.  Walter  F.  Brewster,  who  is  now  living  in  the  village 
which  he  founded,  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice.  No 
person  has  been  so  fully  identified  with  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  the  village  as  he.  Almost  all  of  the  public  streets 
were  opened  by  him  and  dedicated  to  the  public  use.'  Follow- 
ing the  profession  of  an  architect  and  builder  for  many  years, 
Mr.  Brewster  has  erected  more  than  iifty  dwelling  houses, 
churches  and   public  buildings,  besides  numbers  of    smaller 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  501 

structures.  His  present  residence  is  on  Marvin  avenue,  and 
generally  known  as  "  Riverside  "  from  its  location  on  the  bank 
of  the  Croton  River.  On  this  place  are  two  neat  and  tasteful 
cottages,  one  the  home  of  Mr.  Brewster,  the  other  of  his  son-in- 
law,  Mr.  Leander  B.  Lent. 

The  Howes  Family. — The  Howes  family  are  descendants  of 
John  de  Huse  (Norman  ?),  who,  as  far  back  as  the  year  1065,  is 
stated  to  have  been  a  large  manorial  proprietor  in  England.  A 
descendant  of  John  de  Huse,  also  named  John,  the  spelling  of 
whose  surname  seems  to  have  been  modified  to  Howys,  also 
held  large  grants  of  land  in  Besthorpe  (Norfolk),  in  the  time  of 
Henry  VI.  For  seven  generations  Besthorpe  continued  to  be 
the  family  seat,  when  one  of  the  heirs,  Robert  by  name,  removed 
to  Carlotors  Rode. 

Like  that  of  many  other  ancient  families  the  spelling  of  the 
name  has  suffered  considerable  change,  the  last  one  (from 
Howse  to  Howes)  having  been  caused  by  a  mistake  made  in 
some  important  legal  document,  bearing  upon  the  family 
estates.  The  coat  of  arms  of  the  Howes  family  was  first  granted 
by  Henry  VIII.,  in  the  year  1519. 

Robert  Howes  is  known  to  have  had  three  sons;  John,  who  died 
in  1663;  another,  the  eldest,  whose  son  married  in  England, 
Tabitha,  only  daughter  of  John  Roope,  of  Morning  Thorpe, 
near  Norwich,  Norfolk.  This  union  jDroved  to  be  of  great  ad- 
vantage as  it  brought  into  the  hands  of  John,  a  son  of  the  mar- 
riage, the  beautiful  manor  and  residence  of  Morning  Thorpe. 
This  estate  remained  in  the  hands  of  his  descendants  until  1883, 
when  it  passed  out  of  the  family  as  a  consequence  of  the 
marriage  of  the  present  heiress,  Louisa  Howes,  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Holmes.  Thomas,  the  trace  of  whose  life  in  England  has  been 
unfortunately  lost,  emigrated  to  America  about  1635,  together 
with  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  and  three  young  sons, 
Thomas,  Joseph  and  Jeremiah.  He  landed  at  Plymouth,  was 
at  Salem  in  1635,  and  subsequently  settled  on  Cape  Cod  at  Yar- 
mouth, which  name  he  and  his  associates  gave  to  their  settle- 
ment, in  honor  of  the  town  of  that  name  in  England,  from  which 
port  they  set  sail  for  this  country. 

Thomas  Howes  being  one  of  the  original  grantees  of  the  town, 
took  up  land  and  became  a  farmer.  The  old  town  of  Yarmouth 
was  divided  in  1794,  and  the  portion  where  Thomas  Howes  had 


502  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

settled  was  thereafter  called  Dennis.  Thomas  Howes  and  his 
immediate  descendants  exercised  a  weighty  influence  in  the 
affairs  of  the  town  for  many  years,  and  became  active  and 
prosperous  citizens,  some  of  them  following  the  sea  as  a  pro- 
fession. As  recently  as  1841,  in  a  great  gale  off  the  George's 
Bank,  of  twenty  men  lost  from  the  town  of  Dennis,  twelve  bore 
the  name  of  Howes.  Among  those  who  have  achieved  distinc- 
tion, as  seafaring  men,  is  Captain  Thomas  Prince  Howes,  at 
present  pilot  commissioner  of  Boston,  and  to  whom  we  are  in- 
debted for  valuable  information. 

From  Thomas  Howes  the  elder  and  his  wife,  Mary,  sprang  the 
numerous  American  family  so  well  known  for  their  extensive 
business  operations,  both  here  and  abroad,  the  members  of 
which  in  1836,  honored  the  memory  of  their  hardy  ancestor  by 
the  erection,  in  the  Howes'  Cemetery,  at  Dennis,  Cape  Cod,  of 
a  granite  monument,  eight  feet  in  height  and  inscribed  with  the 
following  simple  but  suggestive  lines: 

' '  'Twas  from  the  central  part  of  Briton's  Isle  he  came, 
"  And  on  Columbia's  soil  did  propagate  a  name; 
"  We,  his  descendants,  the  patriarch  own, 
"  And  to  the  first  Howes  do  dedicate  this  stone." 

"  THIS   MONUMENT   WAS  ERECTED   IN   1836. 

OF  THOMAS   HOWES'   DESCENDANTS  THERE   ARE 
NOW  LIVING  IN  DENNIS — 345 — CHATHAM— 133 — 
OTHER  PLACES — 396. 

Among  the  descendants  of  Jeremiah  (son  of  the  original 
Thomas  Howes)  was  Moody  Howes,  the  grandfather  of  Mr.  Seth 
B.  Howes  of  Southeast,  the  present  proprietor  of  "  Stonehenge," 
a  cut  of  which  we  present. 

Moody  Howes  came  to  the  (now)  town  of  Southeast,  with 
others,  about  the  year  1750,  prominent  among  whom  vrere  the 
Paddocks,  the  Halls  and  Sears,  in  search  of  more  fertile  land 
than  that  of  the  sandy  hillocks  and  plains  of  Cape  Cod.  Mr. 
Howes  took  up  a  large  tract  of  land  and  immediately  became 
engaged  in  farming  and  clearing  the  space  which  is  now  known 
as  Southeast.  He  died  in  1806.  He  had  fourteen  children,  eight 
sons  and  six  daughters. 

Of  these,  Daniel  Howes,  the  seventh  child  and  father  of  the 
present  owner  of  "  Stonehenge,"  inherited  a  large  portion  of  his 
father's  possessions,  and  for  some  time  continued  the  farming 
operations  to  which  he  had  been  early  bred.    He  also  carried  on 


'^U^  y^    y^^^^^^^-^  ^:^ 


:ETw!-lnj  MB^nlds   ^im^-l^Bur'Yp-rk.. 


/7. 


EnfhijBBBalU  r.'ms  N.y 


"STONEHENGE." 

RESIDENCE  OF  S.  B.  HOWES, 
BREWSTER        PUTNAM   CO.,  N.  Y. 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  503 

a  general  country  store  business  which  was  among  the  first  in 
this  section.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  town,  and 
was  for  many  years  an  honored  and  conservative  resident  of 
Putnam  county,  in  early  life  he  married  Miss  Ruhamah  Reed, 
by  whom  he  had  twelve  children.  In  1824,  he  died,  his  widow 
and  eleven  children  surviving.  Mrs.  Howes  died  in  ]  864,  at  the 
ripe  age  of  ninety-one  years.  A  monument  in  the  Milltown 
Cemetery,  in  Southeast,  erected  by  his  sons,  "bears  silent  wit- 
ness," as  the  inscription  fittingly  says,  "to  their  appreciation 
of  their  departed  parents'  worth."  Six  of  Mr.  Daniel  Howes' 
children  were  sons. 

The  eldest,  Malchus  Reed  Howes,  bearing  his  mother's  name, 
left  the  homestead  in  1823,  and  journeyed  to  Mobile,  where  he 
became  a  well- to  do  merchant. 

The  second,  Nathan  A.  Howes,  early  became  engaged  in  the 
exhibition  business  in  partnership  with  Gerard  Crane  of  Somers, 
Westchester  county,  N.  Y.  They  crossed  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains in  1831,  with  a  managerie.  Groing  south  and  arriving  at 
Mobile,  they  were  fortunate  enough  to  possess  themselves  of  a 
lion,  lioness  and  two  cubs,  which,  being  the  first  infant  lions 
ever  exhibited  in  America,  created  a  sensation,  and  formed  the 
nucleus  of  the  zoological  department  of  the  great  exhibition 
with  which  Mr.  Howes'  name  afterward  became  prominently 
identified.     He  died  in  June,  1878,  aged  82  years. 

The  third  was  Daniel  Morgan  Howes.  He  also  journeyed  to 
Mobile,  where  he  became  engaged  as  a  contractor  and  builder, 
carrying  on  an  extensive  and  lucrative  business.  He  died  in  New 
York. 

The  fourth,  Jacob  Orson  Howes,  also  a  builder,  for  some  time 
carried  on  a  business  in  New  York  city,  afterward  giving  it  up 
to  engage  in  farming  at  Southeast  Center,  where  he  died. 

The  fifth,  Reuben  W.  Howes,  went  to  New  York,  where  he 
engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a  shce  store,  with  his  uncle,  Mr.  L.  B.  Reed. 
He  afterward  became  a  wholesale  dealer,  and  eventually  a  ban- 
ker. He  was  the  originator  of  the  Park  Bank,  in  that  city, 
and  of  which  he  was  for  some  time  the  president.     ■ 

The  sixth,  Setli  Benedict  Howes,  whose  portrait  we  subjoin, 
was  born  at  Southeast,  August  15th,  1815,  and  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  he  began  to  serve  as  an  apprentice  to  his  brother,  Jacob 
O.,  as  a  carpenter  and  builder.  After  some  years  he  proceeded 
to  Chicago,  where,  together  with  Mr.  Paul  Cornell,  he  engaged 


504  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

in  the  real  estate  business.  It  was  during  tliis  period  tliat  he 
and  his  partner  purchased  of  James  Crane,  of  Southeast,  who 
was  at  that  time  a  merchant  in  Chicago — a  tract  of  land  in  what 
is  now  known  as  Hyde  Park,  a  suburban  part  of  that  city.  By 
the  profitable  selling  of  a  portion  of  this,  he  was  enabled  to 
purchase  lands  within  the  bounds  of  the  city  proper.  This  last 
plot  is  now  covered  with  stores  and  dwellings  of  all  descrip- 
tions, over  seventy  of  which  are  still  in  his  possession,  and  di- 
vested of  all  incumbrances,  producing  a  large  income. 

Mr.  Howes'  investments  having  proved  successful,  he  early 
indulged  a  taste  for  travelling  abroad.  In  1852,  he  journeyed 
through  England  and  France,  remaining  some  time  in  Paris.  It 
was  here  that  he  became  acquainted  with  Henry  Franconi,  pro- 
prietor of  the  great  Hippodrome.  Being  ever  ready  to  engage 
in  an  enterprise  of  that  kind,  having  already  conducted  an  ex- 
tensive and  successful  experiment  in  the  exhibition  business  in 
America,  Mr.  Howes  conceived  the  idea  of  bringing  a  Hippo- 
drome to  America,  where  such  an  exhibition  would  be  novel. 
He  consequently  succeeded  in  engaging  Mr.  Franconi  and  a  por- 
tion of  his  company  for  a  like  undertaking  in  New  York  city, 
and  while  in  London  he  was  successful  in  adding  a  sufficient 
number  of  novelties  to  render  his  enterprise  the  largest  of  the 
kind  ever  exhibited  either  in  Europe  or  America.  When 
thoroughly  organized  for  the  voyage,  one  of  his  partners,  Mr. 
Richard  Sands,  proceeded  to  Paris,  where  of  the  agent  he  char- 
tered the  steamer  "  Washington  "(Captain  Fitch),  and  brought 
the  French  portion  of  the  establishment  from  Havre  to  New 
York.  On  the  first  of  May,  1853,  the  great  »jxhibition  opened. 
James  M.  Nixon  was  assistant  manager  and  E.  C.  Yale  of 
Southeast,  treasurer.  This  was  the  first  Roman  Hippodrome 
ever  exhibited  in  America.  It  was  situated  on  the  ground  now 
occupied  by  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  and  was  an  immense  suc- 
cess from  the  start.  Some  trouble  was  experienced  in  obtaining 
a  suitable  location,  but  at  that  time  nearly  the  whole  block, 
with  the  exception  of  a  small  cottage,  which  was  kept  by  Cor- 
poral Thompson,  as  a  road  house,  where  the  drivers  of  fast 
horses  were  wont  to  regale  themselves,  being  vacant,  the  owners 
of  the  exhibition,  by  purchasing  some  of  the  ground  and  se- 
curing a  lease  of  the  cottage,  were  enabled  to  obtain  it.  This 
was  done  after  securing  the  consent  of  Mr.  Eno,  the  present 
proprietor,  and  Mr.  Arnot,  who  at  that  time  kept  the  New  York 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  505 

Hotel  and  owned  a  portion  of  the  ground.  Thus  upon  the  site 
of  that  great  hostelry,  thousands  of  persons  sought  amuse- 
ment years  ago.  This  is  the  history  of  the  introduction  of  the 
old  Roman  Hippodrome  in  America,  as  given  by  its  originators. 

Mr.  Howes  was  afterward  engaged  for  a  short  time  in  the 
banking  business,  in  New  York  city,  in  partnership  with 
Thomas  Smull,  of  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.,  and  his  brother,  Reuben 
W.  Howes,  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y.  The  profits  of  this  undertak- 
ing were  applied  to  the  purchase  of  property  in  Williamsburg, 
N.  Y.  The  bulk  of  Mr.  Howes'  wealth  has  been  made  in  real 
estate,  and  his  life  has  been  one  of  remarkable  activity.  Twenty 
years  spent  in  travelling  from  place  to  place  in  Europe,  especi- 
ally in  England  and  France,  and  also  many  years  in  his  native 
country,  could  hardly  have  failed  to  yield  a  rich  store  of  ex- 
perience, from  which  a  person  of  intelligence  must  derive  much 
benefit.  He  has  met  and  conversed  with  many  of  the  crowned 
heads  abroad,  has  viewed  the  works  of  art  and  treasures  of 
literature  which  adorn  their  palaces;  and  has  compared,  in  their 
daily  life,  monarch  and  subject. 

Some  years  ago  Mr.  Howes  retired  from  active  life,  and  he 
now  occupies  at  times  a  charming  villa  called  "  Stonehenge," 
near  Brewster,  which  he  has  taken  pains  to  enlarge  and  beautify. 
He  is  generally  respected  throughout  the  community,  and  the 
county  at  large  for  his  liberality  in  bestowing  help  to  the  un- 
fortunate and  needy. 

A  cut  of  Morning  Thorpe,  England,  and  the  family  tree  of 
the  American  branch  of  the  Howes  family,  and  also  the  original 
will  and  description  of  the  lands  of  the  first  Thomas  Howes, 
which  are  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  S.  B.  Howes,  will  be 
found  of  great  interest  to  historians  and  historical  readers, 
generally. 

Josr-ruA  Baknum. — The  Barnum  family,  which  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  which  has  been  among  the  most  respected  families 
in  Putnam  county  for  the  last  century,  is  of  English  origin. 
Joshua  Barnum,  of  whom  we  write,  was  the  second  child  of 
the  well  known  physician.  Dr.  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  and  a  grand- 
son of  Joshua  Barnum,  the  story  of  whose  capture  and  confine- 
ment in  the  "  Old  Sugar  House"  by  the  British,  during  this 
country's  struggle  for  independence,  will  be  received  with  inter- 
est by  all  readers  of  history. 


506  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Mr.  Barnum  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  at  Soxitheast,  Sep- 
tember 3d,  1818.  It  was  his  privilege  till  his  fifteenth  year  to 
attend  the  then  excellent  North  Salem  Academy  after  leaving 
which  he  went  to  New  York  city  and  began  the  business  career 
which  ended  in  the  establishment  of  the  great  clothing  house 
whose  reputation  will  keep  his  name  before  the  public  as  long  as 
it  continues  to  exist.  Mr.  Barnum  first  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the 
wholesale  and  retail  clothing  store  of  H.  &.  D.  H.  Brooks,  who 
were  then  doing  business  on  the  corner  of  Catharine  and  Cherry 
streets.  With  them  he  remained  during  three  years,  after  which 
he  spent  about  the  same  length  of  time  with  the  newly  estab- 
lished firm  of  Brooks  &  Horton. 

At  the  close  of  this  period,  he  married  Miss  Catherine  A. 
Dusenbury,  daughter  of  D.  0.  Dusenbury  who  was  at  that  time 
engaged  in  the  provision  business  in  New  York  city.  At  his 
solicitation  Mr.  Barnum  left  his  former  position  to  assume  a 
partnership  in  the  concern.  After  one  year  his  father-in-law 
died  and  by  the  time  another  passed  he  had  given  up  the  pro- 
vision and  re-engaged  in  the  clothing  business.  This  time  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  one  of  his  former  employers,  Mr. 
Charles  Horton,  and  they  together,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Horton  &  Barnum,  started  a  store  within  a  few  doors  of  the 
present  stand  on  Chatham  Square,  supplementing  it  two  years 
later  with  another  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Barnum' s  brother, 
Mr.  P.  C.  Barnum,  who  was  at  the  same  time  admitted  to  the 
firm. 

The  second  store  being  much  larger  and  the  more  attractive 
of  the  two  immediately  proved  very  successful,  and  Horton  & 
Barnum  soon  threw  all  their  energies  into  the  management  of 
that,  allowing  the  original  to  be  closed.  The  history  of  the 
firm  since  that  time  is  well  known.  The  business  gradually 
grew  until  enlargement  became  necessary  and  from  time  to  time 
new  stores  were  added;  finally,  the  ground  having  been  purchased 
by  the  concern,  the  present  building  was  erected,  it  being  at  the 
time  by  far  the  largest  clothing  establishment  in  the  city.  Mr. 
Horton  retired  on  the  1st  of  January,  1875,  nine  years  previous 
to  the  death  of  Mr.  Barnum,  which  took  place  at  his  home  in 
Southeast,  March  26th,  1884.  The  business  is  now  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Stephen  C.  Barnum,  his  only  child;  Mr.  P.  C.  Barnum, 
having  retired  from  the  firm  in  1879. 

Mr.  Barnum  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 


TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST.  507 

Southeast  for  many  years.  At  the  time  of  the  erection  of 
the  new  edifice  he  served  upon  the  building  committee,  and  his 
liberality  aided  largely  in  support  of  the  movement.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  church  trustees  and  was  deeply  beloved  by  its 
members. 

Careful  in  the  management  of  his  business,  straightforward 
and  honest  in  his  dealings  with  creditors  and  patrons  alike,  Mr. 
Barnum  won  for  himself  the  respect  of  his  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances and  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  His  cordial  dis- 
position and  unassuming  manner  won  for  him  the  friendship  of 
all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  made  his  loss  more 
deeply  felt  throughout  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 

Morgan  Horton  was  born  in  the  town  of  Southeast.  April 
24th,  1819,  and  removed  with  his  father  in  the  following  year 
to  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  him.  He  attended  the 
district  school  for  several  seasons  and  finished  his  education  at 
the  select  school  of  Russell  J.  Minor,  near  Doansburg. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  teaching  school  in  the  ad- 
joining town  of  Patterson,  where  he  remained  one  season.  He 
afterward  taught  for  three  succcessive  winters  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Lewisboro'  (formerly  South  Salem)  Westchester 
county,  and  at  Southeast  Center  the  winter  following.  In  the 
winters  of  1842  and  1843  he  taught  the  district  school  of  Doans- 
burg. He  was  then  called,  by  the  appointing  power,  to  take 
charge  of  the  schools  of  Putnam  county  which  he  continued  to 
do  for  four  years,  when  he  protested  against  a  reappointment. 
In  the  winter  of  1847-8  he  again  taught  the  Doansburg  school. 

In  1841  he  was  elected  one  of  the  inspectors  of  common 
schools  for  the  town  of  So,utheast.  In  1845  he  was  elected  a 
justice  of  the  peace  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  served  one  and  a  half 
years.  He  also  served  three  or  four  terms  of  three  years  each 
as  assessor.  In  1853  he  was  elected  commissioner  of  highways 
to  serve  out  the  unexpired  term  of  Capt.  Orrin  B.  Crane.  In 
1854  he  was  elected  supervisor,  and  again  in  1855,  1869,  and 
1860.  During  the  last  year  he  was  chairman  of  the  board.  In 
1859  he  was  nominated  for  member  of  Assembly  by  the  demo- 
cratic party,  but  was  defeated  by  about  50  majority.  In  1868 
he  was  again  nominated  for  Assemblyman,  and  was  elected  by 
about  150  majority.  In  1869  he  was  reelected  by  nearly  500 
majority.     During  his  first  term  in  the  Legislature  he  served 


508  HISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

on  the  committees  on  engrossed  bills  and  on  expenditures  of 
the  House,  and  on  the  joint  committee  of  the  House  and  Senate 
on  the  State  Library,  besides  various  conference  committees. 

During  his  second  term  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
agriculture,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  committee  on  banks. 

In  1870  he  was  chosen  as  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Pawlings  Savings  Bank,  and  served  one  year  as  a  trustee  of 
said  bank.  In  1871  he  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Put- 
nam County  Savings  Bank,  and  at  its  first  meeting  was  elected 
its  president,  which  office  he  has  continued  to  hold.  For  the 
last  40  years  he  has  been,  almost  continuously,  overseer  of 
highways  and  a  school  trustee  of  his  district. 

During  the  last  25  years  he  has  had  much  to  do  with  the  set- 
tlement of  estates,  and  at  the  present  time  has  several  on  hand 
in  process  of  settlement.  He  has  repeatedly  been  a  delegate  to 
State  and  other  conventions;  was  a  delegate  to  the  State  Con- 
vention that  nominated  Samuel  J.  Tilden  for  governor.  Dar- 
ing his  second  term  in  the  Legislature  he  suffered  from  ill  health 
and  declined  a  re-election.  Although  repeatedly  urged  to 
accept  nominations  to  the  same  office  he  has  repeatedlj^  de- 
clined. 

Mr.  Horton  was  married  December  19th,  1848,  to  Jane  A. 
Northrop,  of  Sherman,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  has  four  children, 
all  living  and  all  married:  Inez  A.,  Franklin  N.,  George  Wil- 
liam, and  IraD.  Hisfathers  name  was  Daniel  and  his  mother's 
Susan. 

In  1850  he  commenced  building  on  the  site  now  occupied  by 
him,  and  in  1852  stocked  the  farm  and  began  the  milk  business 
which  he  has  since  continued,  sending  his  milk  to  New  York. 
His  farm  consists  of  300  acres,  about  one  half  of  which  is  in 
Connecticut.  It  was  originally  owned  by  Isaac  Crosby  who  sold 
it  to  one  Godfrey  and  he  to  Eeuben  Rockwell.  The  latter  sold  it 
to  Joseph  Banks,  of  whom  it  was  purchased  by  the  father  of  the 
present  owner.  He  has  surrounded  his  home  with  orchards  of 
choice  fruit  and  gives  abundant  space  to  the  various  species  of 
horticulture. 

Mr.  Horton  is  a  thorough  student  and  a  great  reader,  and  his 
home  is  abundantly  supplied  with  the  current  literature'of  the 
day.  His  children  have  all  received  a  liberal  education.  He 
has  ever  been  the  friend  and  adviser  of  all  who  sought  his  aid, 
and  he  is  widely  and  deservedly  esteemed. 


^yy^yz^-^^^-tu^ 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  509 

John  T.  Waring. — The  brain  and  nerve  that  first  achieve 
brilliant  success  in  enterprise,  then  bear  up  bravely  under 
svfeeping  reverses,  and  finally  against  very  great  disadvantages, 
regain  a  solid  business  footing  with  assured  prospect  of  a  busi- 
ness triumph,  are  by  universal  consent  entitled  to  high  respect 
and  honorable  mention.  The  career  of  Mr.  John  T.  Waring, 
linown  in'Yonkers  as  boy  and  man  for  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury, and  as  one  of  its  leading  manufacturers  for  thirty  years, 
has  famished  a  distinguished  example  of  capacity  and  courage, 
and  seems,  in  despite  of  trying  reverses  in  recent  years,  about 
to  be  crowned,  after  all,  with  high  success.  A  brief  sketcti  of 
his  life  and  business  history  will  be  in  place  and  acceptable  to 
his  fellow  citizens. 

The  Waring  family  is  of  English  descent,  and  it  is  believed 
to  have  migrated  to  this  country  from  Liverpool.  Its  first  loca- 
tion here,  as  far  as  known,  was  within  the  present  South  Nor- 
walk,  Conn.,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  families  of  the  name  still 
exist.  John  Waring,  grandfather  of  John  T.  Waring,  removed 
to  Southeast  about  1750,  accompanied  by  two  brothers,  Thad- 
deus  and  Samuel.  John  Waring  was  married  twice.  His  first 
wife  was  Catharine  Tuthill,  and  his  second  was  Mary  Elwell. 
He  had  nine  children:  Lewis,  Charles,  John,  Peter,  Isaac,  Sam- 
uel, Polly  (married  George  Gregory),  Joanna  (married  Col. 
Williams),  and  Susannah  (married  Jonathan  Smith).  These  chil- 
dren were  the  parents  of  large  families,  now  widely  scattered 
through  the  country.  Peter,  the  fourth  of  them  (born  in  1782, 
died  in  1849)  and  his  wife  Esther,  daughter  of  Thomas  Crosby 
and  Hannah  Snow,  worthy  people  of  Putnam  county,  became 
the  parents  of  the  following  children,  named  in  order  of  their 
ages:  Jarvis  A.,  William  C,  Aurelia  (married  Isaac  V.  Pad- 
dock), Jane  (married  Robert  W  Newman),  Laui-a  (married  Sel- 
den  Hubbel),  Hannah  (married  David  Underwood),  John  T., 
Marietta  (married  David  H.  Ketchum),  Charles  E.  and  Catherine 
(married  Levi  Roberts).  Most  of  these  children  have  passed 
many  years  as  residents  of  Yonkers,  and  the  four  sons,  through 
all  their  adult  lives  have  been  prominent  among  Yonkers  busi- 
ness men.  But  one  death  has  occurred  among  the  ten  chil- 
dren. It  was  that  of  Mr.  Jarvis  A.  Waring,  who  died  in 
October,  1872. 

John  T.  Waring  was  born  in  Southeast,  November  7th,  1820, 
and  passed  his  boyhood  till  1834,  with  but  little  experience  of 


510  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAJt    COUNTY. 

change,  at  his  parents'  home.  Meanwhile,  in  1828,  his  brother, 
William  C,  and  Hezekiah  Nichols  had  begun  the  hatting  busi- 
ness at  Yonkers  in  the  "  Glen,"  on  the  spot  now  taken  up  by 
Copcutt's  silk  factory.  Reverses  and  changes  came  over  this 
firm  and  its  business  during  the  next  six  years,  which  it  would 
be  foreign  to  the  the  object  of  this  article  to  recount.  In  the 
spring  of  1834,  however,  Mr.  William  C.  Waring  started,  upon 
the  same  spot  in  the  "Grlen",  the  new  firm  of  Paddock  &  War- 
ing. It  was  at  or  about  the  opening  of  this  new  firm's  experi- 
ence that  John  T.  Waring  entered  its  employ  and  began  to  learn 
the  hatting  business.  The  new  firm  ran  on  till  1837,  when,  feel- 
ing the  effects  of  the  then  widely  prevailing  financial  depression, 
it  strengthened  itself  by  a  reorganization,  and  took  on  the  name 
of  William  C.  Waring  &  Co.  In  this  name  it  did  business  till 
1844,  when  the  building  in  the  "Grlen"  was  burned.  In  the 
same  year  a  new  building  was  erected  for  it  on  what  is  now  de- 
signated as  Elm  street.  The  building  still  stands,  being  part  of 
the  property  occupied  by  the  Elm  street  and  Palisade  avenue 
carpet  factory. 

Through  all  the  business  changes  of  his  brother  from  1834  to 
1844,  Mr.  Waring  had  continued  with  him,  devoting  himself  to 
the  mastery  of  the  trade.  From  1844  to  1849  he  had  a  business 
interest  in  the  firm.  In  1849,  he  began  hatting  on  his  own  ac- 
count, in  an  old  building  on  the  site  in  the  Nepperhau  River, 
then  and  still  known  as  "  Chicken  Island."  From  this  time  till 
1876,  a  period  of  twenty-seven  years,  his  business  career  was  a 
continuously  growing  success.  In  1857,  he  bought  the  factory 
of  William  C.  Waring  &  Co.  (on  the  present  Elm  street)  en- 
larged it,  and  carried  on  business  in  it  for  the  next  five  years. 
In  1862,  he  built  his  large  hat  factory  on.  the  opposite  side  of 
the  since  opened  street,  and  at  once  entered  upon  a  fourteen 
year  period  of  the  greatest  prosperity.  With  his  increased  fa- 
cilities in  this  building,  his  business  grew  until  he  had  over  800 
men  in  his  employ,  and  was  making  hats  at  the  rate  of  800 
dozen  a  day.  By  1876,  a  capital  of  $4,500,  with  which  he  had 
begun  in  the  new  building  in  1862,  had  grown  to  a  capital  of 
nearly  a  million.  It  was  at  this  point  that  he  was  struck  with 
reverses. 

In  1868,  under  the  stimulus  of  his  great  success,  he  had  pur- 
chased the  splendid  site,  and  begun  to  develope  the  magnificent 
property  in  the  northern  part  of  Yonkers,  which  has  since  be- 


^'T-S'-tyA  ERiidn^ 


y  /t^^z-j^-i^^-^ 


7 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  511 

come  famous  under  the  name  of  "  Greystone,"  intending  it  for 
his  own  future  home.  The  grounds,  buildings  and  total  im- 
provements are  said  to  have 'cost  him  nearly  half  a  million  dol- 
lars. Being  visited  in  1876  with  overwhelming  reverses  in  his 
business,  he  lost  all  he  had  previously  gained.  His  beautiful 
mansion  and  grounds  were  sold  for  $150,000  to  Hon.  Samuel  J. 
Tilden. 

Upon  this  experience  Mr.  Waring,  with  his  eldest  son,  Arthur 
Baldwin,  who  was  through  his  whole  period  of  trial,  and  has 
been  through  all  his  effort  at  recovery  his  father's  devoted 
helper  and  efficient  support,  entered  into  a  large  contract  with 
the  State  of  Massachusetts  for  the  employment  of  its  convict 
labor,  left  Yonkers,  settled  near  Boston  and,  nothing  daunted, 
began  business  anew.  His  energy  in  his  new  field  was  crowned 
with  deserved  success.  In  1884,  having  filled  out  his  contract, 
he  returned  to  Yonkers,  and  has  recently  bought  the  large 
property  on  Varick  street,  built  during  the  late  war  for  the 
manufacture  of  arms,  and  originally  known  as  the  "  Starr  Arms 
Works."  This  property  he  has  thoroughly  renovated,  and 
stocked  with  abundant  machinery  of  the  most  improved  kind. 
Operations  have  now  been  began  in  it,  and  under  Mr.  Waring' s 
energetic  business  management  the  works  promise  to  take  their 
place  among  the  largest  and  most  vigorous  works  of  this  manu- 
facturing city.  Possessing  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  hatting 
trade  in  all  its  branches,  Mr.  Waring  has  become  the  inventor 
of  several  important  processes  in  hat  making,  and  especially  of 
a  hat  sizing  machine,  from  which  he  derives  a  large  income. 

He  was  connected  with  the  republican  party  from  its  organi- 
zation, and  was  a  firm  supporter  of  the  Union  cause  during  the 
Civil  War.  In  1861,  he  was  elected  president  of  the  village  of 
Yonkers.  During  that  year  war  meetings  were  held  in  the 
town  and  a  large  number  of  men  enlisted  for  the  army.  The 
faith  of  the  town  was  pledged  by  resolutions  passed  at  these 
meetings  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  the  enlisted  men 
while  they  might  be  away  from  home,  and  they  were  about 
moving  to  the  field  when  it  occurred  to  them  to  doubt  whether 
the  pledge  of  the  popular  meetings  was  a  sufficient  security 
for  the  care  of  those  they  were  about  to  leave  behind.  At 
once  they  declared  their  unwillingness  to  proceed  unless  the 
president  of  the  village  would  personally  become  security 
for   the  fulfilment  of  the  popular  pledge.      This  Mr.  War- 


512  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

ing  promptly  did,  and  so  strong  was  the  confidence  of  the  men 
and  their  families  in  him,  that  the  difficulty  vanished  and  the 
recruits  went  out  to  the  service  of  the  country.  Mr.  Ethan 
Flagg  accompanied  Mr.  Waring  the  next  day  in  the  work  of 
looking  up  the  families  of  the  seventy-five  men  who  had  gone, 
and  found  that  the  town  was  left  with  the  care  of  sixty-five 
such  families  upon  its  hands. 

Mr.  Waring  married  Jeanette  P.,  daughter  of  the  late  Anson 
Baldwin,  himself  for  many  years  a  leading  manufacturer  and 
active  citizen  of  Yonkers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waring  have  had 
the  following  children:  Arthur  B.,  Grace  (married  Lewis 
Koberts),  John  T.,  Anson  (not  living),  Ames  Palmer,  and 
Janet.  The  family  have  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  social  life  of  Yonkers,  and,  being  connected  with  St. 
John's  Episcopal  Church,  have  contributed  much  to  the  church's 
influence  and  usefulness.  Energetic  in  all  his  business  afEairs, 
Mr.  Waring' s  successes  have  been  due  in  part  to  his  thorough 
grasp  of  all  the  details  and  needs  of  his  business  and  in  part  to 
that  absolute  faith  in  himself  which  his  whole  career  has  so 
well  justified.  No  man  has  done  more  to  impress  himself  upon 
his  place  of  residence  than  he.  He  will  always  be  thought  of 
as  a  foremost  representative  of  Yonkers'  leading  business  men. 

Levi  H.  Kobeet,s. — There  are  few  citizens  of  the  county  of 
Putnam  who  are  more  extensively  known  or  who  have  been 
longer  connected  with  its  business,  social  and  religious  interests 
than  the  subject  of  this  article.  Mr.  Roberts  was  the  son  of 
Lemuel  and  Phebe  Roberts,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pat- 
terson, April  12th,  1823. 

He  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  having 
two  brothers  (Willis  and  Barzillai)  and  eight  sisters.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen  he  began  teaching,  and  his  ability  won  for  him 
steady  employment.  Desiring  a  mercantile  education  he  went 
to  New  York  and  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  clothing  estab- 
lishment of  Brooks  Brothers.  He  advanced  rapidly,  and  re- 
turning to  this  county,  he  opened  a  store  in  Milltown  in  part- 
nership with  his  bother. 

The  prospective  importance  of  the  village  of  Brewster  led  him 
to  remove  to  that  place,  where  he  became  a  large  property 
owner.  Steady  application  to  business  so  affected  his  health 
that  he  disposed  of  his  establishment  and  engaged  in  the  insur^ 


/'% 


i'ngJlij  ttB.HaU's  Sons  I-i" 


TOWN    OF    SOUTHEAST.  513 

ance  business.  In  this  he  exhibited  his  usual  energy  and  ability 
and  built  up  a  business  which  was  excelled  by  none  in  the 
county,  and  gained  a  well- deserved  reputation  for  honesty  and 
strict  integrity.  In  the  affairs  of  the  village  and  the  town  Mr. 
Roberts  was  well  known  as  a  man  of  progressive  ideas,  and  in 
all  social  questions  of  the  day. 

He  was  a  bitter  opponent  of  slavery  at  a  time  when  it  was 
considered  discreditable  to  be  an  abolitionist,  and  a  firm  op- 
poser  of  intemperance,  when  he  had  few  supporters.  Mr. 
Roberts  was  selected  to  deliver  an  historical  address  at  Brewster 
on  the  celebration  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  Ameri- 
can Independence  in  1876.  This  address,  which  embraced  a 
great  amount  of  research  in  our  early  local  history,  was  replete 
with  information,  and  is  still  more  valuable  from  the  fact  that 
many  of  the  aged  citizens  of  the  town  from  whom  he  obtained 
his  knowledge,  have  since  passed  away. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Roberts  was  a  most  active  and  influen- 
tial member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chiirch,  and  was  ever 
regarded  as  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  church  and  society.  In 
the  cause  of  temperance,  in  the  societies  formed  to  promote 
that  work  in  the  church  and  Sunday  school,  he  was  especially 
helpful.  For  nearly  sixteen  years  he  was  superintendent  of 
the  M.  E.  Sunday  school,  and  for  twenty  years  was  chorister 
and  long  an  active  member  of  the  official  board.  He  rarely 
missed  a  church  service,  and  never  permitted  himself  to  be  ab- 
sent from  a  Sunday  school  session. 

Mr.  Roberts  married  Miss  Kate  Waring,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Esther  Waring,  February  3d,  1859.  They  had  two 
children,  J  alia  Waring,  now  living  in  Brewster,  and  Edwin 
Waring,  deceased. 

After  a  useful  and  active  life,  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of 
the  community,  Mr.  Roberts  passed  to  a  better  world  December 
23d,  1885,  and  by  his  decease  the  village  and  the  town  lost 
one  of  its  most  respected  and  useful  citizens.  The  following 
extract  from  the  funeral  sermon  preached  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Ferris,  D.D.,  expressed  the  feelings  of  those  who  knew  him 
well. 

"When  I  heard  the  sad  news  of  his  death  my  first  thought 

was:   'I  am  sorry  this  life  has  been  so  short,'   and   the    next 

thought:   'I  am  glad  it  was   so   long.'      But   we   could    have 

wished  for  him  a  longer  life.     We  need  such  men  of  deep  con- 

33 


514  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

victions  and  manly  courage  and  force  of  character,  men  who  dare 
to  do  right  and  who  follow  their  convictions.  Yet,  if  we  meas- 
ure life  by  deeds,  he  lived  long.  His  was  an  earnest,  concen- 
trated life;  measured  by  its  force,  its  activity,  its  intelligence, 
its  wealth  of  affection,  its  achievements,  it  was  long.  It  is  far 
less  important  how  long  we  live,  than  how  much  we  live.  His 
were  crowded  years,  full  of  thought  and  effort  for  others.  His 
ability  as  an  author,  whether  of  prose  or  poetry,  was  eminently 
creditable." 

The  Reed  Family. — John  Reed,  the  ancestor  of  this  family, 
came  from  Cornwall,  England.  He  was  born  in  1633,  and  was  a 
soldier  from  the  age  of  16,  and  a  subaltern  in  Cromwell's  army. 
On  the  restoration  of  Charles  II,  he  fled  to  America  and  settled 
at  Providence.  He  married  a  Miss  Purdy,  and  removed  to 
Norwalk,  Conn.,  where  he  lived  at  a  place  called  Reed's  Farms, 
on  Five-mile  River.  He  died  in  1730,  at  the  age  of  98.  His 
children  were:  John,  Thomas,  William,  Mary  and  Abigail. 

Thomas  Reed  married  Mary  Olmstead,  May  9th,  1694.  His 
children  were:  Mary,  Eunice,  Thomas,  born  May  7th,  1699; 
John,  born  August  7th,  1701;  Elizabeth,  Ann,  Temjjerance, 
Elias,  born  March  16th,  1711;  and  Nathan,  born  August  13th, 
1713. 

Nathan  Reed  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  Peck,  Nor- 
wich, Conn.,  December  22d,  1737.  Their  children  were:  Mary, 
Ann,  Hannah,  Nathan,  born  July  27th,  1747;  David,  born  Sep- 
tember 2d,  1750;  Elizabeth  J.,  and  Elias,  born  November  3d, 
1756. 

David  Reed  came  to  the  town  of  Southeast  in  1790,  from 
Norwalk,  Conn.,  and  bought  a  farm,  his  homestead  being  on  the 
site  of  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  Edwin  Reed,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  road  from  Brewster  to  the  Tilly  Foster  Mine.  He 
married  Bethia  Close  March  24th,  1779.  Their  children  were: 
James,  born  March  19th,  1780;  Shadrach,  born  November  28th, 
1781;  David,  born  September  20th,  1783;  Henry,  born  August 
5th,  1785;  and  Lewis,  born  October  6th,  1787. 

Mrs.  Bethia  Reed  died  January  17th,  1790,  and  Mr.  Reed  was 
married  a  second  time  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Moses  Fowler, 
October  20th,  1791.  Their  children  were  Nancy  and  Moses 
F.  The  latter  was  born  February  9th,  1802.  David  Reed  died 
August  11th,  1813,  at  the  age  of  63. 


CPC^L^c^-l'^l^^-        ^tJ^lL-^!6 


TOWN    OF   SOUTHEAST.  515 

James  Reed,  the  oldest  son,  married  Cloriada,  daughter  of 
Judge  John  Crane,  September  23d,  1802.  She  was  born  in  1787 
and  died  in  1868.  Their  children  were:  Henry  C,  born  Novem- 
ber 21st,  1803;  James  Harvey,  born  August  7th,  1805;  Lewis  A., 
born  April  23d,  1807,  died  1882. 

James  Harve}''  Reed,  who  is  now  living  in  the  town  of  Carrael 
on  the  farm  formerly  owned  by  Judge  Barnabas  Carver,  married 
Emily,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hazen,  April  26th,  1826.  His  chil- 
dren are  :  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Reed,  who  was  member  of  Assembly 
in  1862;  Henry  A.,  James  H.,  jr.,  John  A.,  William  B.,  Julia, 
Adeline  A.,  Frances  E.  (deceased  1881),  Ansel  H.,  Charles  A., 
and  George  E. 

Lewis  Reed,  son  of  David  Reed,  was  born  October  6th,  1787, 
and  died  April  15th,  1829.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Gilbert  and  Sarah  Bailey,  of  North  Salem,  Westchester  county, 
October  25th,  1810.  Their  children  were  :  Bailey,  who  died  in 
childhood;  David,  born  November  25th,  1813;  Sally  B. ;  Nancy, 
wife  of  John  Cable;  Theodore,  born  April  6th,  1819;  Emeline, 
wife  of  Silas  Mead;  and  Edwin,  born  June  4th,  1823. 

Mr.  Edwin  Reed,  the  subject  of  this  article,  was  born  on  the 
homestead  of  his  father  a  short  distance  east  of  his  present 
residence.  His  education  was  received  at  the  i)ublic  schools  of 
his  native  town,  and  agriculture  has  been  the  business  of  his 
life.  The  old  homestead  was  a  farm  of  about  130  acres,  but  it 
has  been  increased  by  judicious  purchases  until  it  now  embraces 
more  than  300  acres.  Mr.  Reed  is  generally  recogaized  as  one 
of  the  most  successful  farmers  in  the  county,  his  farm  being 
finely  located  and  possessing  the  advantages  of  excellent  soil 
and  good  situation. 

Mr.  Reed  has  always  been  a  republican  in  politics,  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  the  temperance  cause,  which  he  assists  by  his  vote  and 
influence.  In  addition  to  his  property  in  this  county  he  has  ex- 
tensive real  estate  in  the  village  of  Sing  Sing,  Westchester  county. 
The  residence  of  Mr.  Reed  was  built  in  1852  by  Bailey  Howes. 
It  stands  on  the  site  of  the  home  of  David  Reed,  which  stood  in 
Revolutionary  times,  and  from  its  location  and  tasteful  appear- 
ance is  one  of  the  finest  country  residences  in  this  section  of 
the  county. 

Mr.  Reed  married  Polly  A.,  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Martha 
Bloomer,  November  24th,  1852.  They  are  the  parents  of  six 
children  :    Oscar  C,  Robert  B.  (deceased),  Stella  C,  George  E. 


516  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

(now  a  student  in  the  Medical  Department  of  Columbia  College), 
Mattie  Elizabeth  and  Herbert  C. 

Mr.  Reed  has  been  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Brewster  for  35  years.  Although  taking  an  active 
interest  in  political  affairs  he  has  never  been  a  seeker  after 
office  or  its  honors. 

David  Reed,  oldest  son  of  Louis  Reed,  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Harvey  Palmer,  of  Westchester  county,  February  1st,  1847, 
and  after  her  decease  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Wright  Hobby,  November  11th,  1857.  His  children  are  Harvey 
P.  and  Dr.  Charles. 

Theodore  Reed  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Ezra  Rundle,  of 
Westchester  county,  April  9th,  1839.  His  children  are  Sarah, 
Lewis,  Elizabeth,  Emma  O.  and  Jennie  M. 

The  farm  of  David  Reed  was  left  by  him  to  his  son,  Moses  F. 
Reed,  who  sold  it  to  Seymour  Allen  February  24th,  1825.  He 
conveyed  it  to  Lyman  Bailey,  March  21st,  1825,  and  it  was  sold 
by  him  to  Floyd  Bailey  March  30th,  1829.  He  in  turn  sold  it  to 
Bailey  Howes  April  6th,  1836,  for  $12,143.  Bailey  Howes  sold 
it  to  Isaac  Kelley,  May  2d,  1856,  for  S26,000,  and  he  conveyed 
it  to  Jesse  and  Lawrence  Haviland  April  1st,  1858,  for  $20,250. 
Upon  a  foreclosure  of  mortgage  it  was  sold  by  Edmond  Doane, 
sheriff,  to  Mr.  Edwin  Reed,  the  present  owner,  January  27th, 
1879,  for  $11,800. 

The  farm  of  David  Reed  was  sold  by  the  commissioners  of 
forfeiture  to  Edmond  Mead  in  December,  1781.  Edmond  Mead 
sold  it  to  Ebenezer  Waring  January  1st,  1788,  and  he  sold  it  to 
David  Reed  January  17th,  1788,  and  from  him  it  descended  as 
above. 

Charles  E.  Everett,  so  well  known  as  the  proprietor  of  the 
"Hotel  Everett"  on  Chatham  street.  New  York  city,  is  of  Eng- 
lish descent.  His  grandfather,  Abram  Everett,  came  from  Eng- 
land early  in  the  history  of  the  Republic  and  settled  upon  a 
farm  in  Putnam  county  where  his  son  Charles,  father  of  Charles 
E.  Everett,  was  born. 

Mr.  Everett  was  the  youngest  son  among  twelve  children. 
His  birth  took  place  September  13th,  1841,  at  Brewster,  where 
he  was  also  educated  in  the  public  schools.  Leaving  Brewster 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  went  to  New  York  city,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  milk  business  with   the  Hon.   Samuel  H.  Everett, 


TOWN    OP   SOUTHEAST.  517 

now  proprietor  of  the  well-known  hotel  at  the  foot  of  Vesey 
street.  Mr.  Everett  remaiued  thus  occupied  during  the  space 
of  four  years,  after  which  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  Vesey 
Street  Hotel,  afterward  becoming  a  partner  in  its  management. 

For  fifteen  years  Mr.  Everett  continued  thus,  when  he  retired, 
at  the  same  time  purchasing  from  his  brother,  into  whose  hands 
it  had  fallen,  the  homestead  property,  his  birthplace.  After 
two  years  spent  in  farming  and  improvement  of  his  place  in  the 
country,  Mr.  Everett  returned  to  New  York  and  opened  the 
hotel,  Nos.  84,  86,  88  and  90  Chatham  street,  well  known  as 
the  Hotel  Everett. 

This  concern  was  formerly  Crook's  Hotel  and  Dining  Rooms. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  regulated  and  ventilated  houses  in  New 
York  city  and  contains  two  hundred  and  fifty  well  lighted  and 
neatly  furnished  rooms.  It  has  well  arranged  suites  of  apart- 
ments for  families  and  contains  the  very  best  of  accommoda- 
tions for  single  boarders.  The  entire  house  is  open  day  and 
night  and  occasional  sojourners  in  New  York  city  will  find  in 
its  proprietor  that  genial  and  accommodating  disposition  so  nec- 
essary for  the  successful  management  of  a  large  hotel.  It  is  a 
notable  fact  that  the  "  Hotel  Everett "  was  the  first  building  of 
the  kind  in  New  York  lighted  by  the  Edison  (system)  electric 
light. 

Mr.  Everett,  by  his  untiring  energy  and  careful  management, 
has  succeeded  in  possessing  himself  of  an  ample  fortune  with 
the  proceeds  of  which  he  is  ever  on  the  alert  to  do  a  good  deed. 
He  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Valley  View  farm  at  Brewster, 
and  continues  to  be  well  known  throughout  Putnam  county, 
where,  like  his  ancestor  before  him,  he  has  maintained  a  repu- 
tation for  spotless  integrity. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


TOWN  OF  PHILIPSTOWN. 


Revised  by  Col.  Thomas  B.  Arden. 


Erectioii  and  Boundaries. — The  River  Lots.— Beverly  Robinson. — William  Den- 
ning.— Beverly  Farm. — Beverly  House. — Arnold's  Treason. — Garrison's — 
South  Highlands  Methodist  Church.— The  Hopper  Mine. — Continental  Vil- 
lage.— Highland  Chemical  Works. — St.  Philip's  Church  in  the  Highlands. — 
Methodist  Church  at  Garrison's. — Philipse  Lot  No.  3.— Settlers. — Early  Town 
Records. — Revolutionary. 


THIS  town  is  bounded  on  the  west  by  the  Hudson  River,  on 
the  north  by  the  line  of  Dutchess  county,  on  the  east  by 
the  town  of  Putnam  Valley,  and  on  the  south  by  the  line  of 
Westchester  county.  It  embraces  within  its  limits  the  grandest 
of  the  Highland  scenery,  and  the  traveller  who  ascends  the 
Hudson  is  never  weary  of  gazing  on  the  vista  of  lofty  moun- 
tains that  bound  the  horizon  on   either  side. 

This  was  one  of  the  original  towns  into  which  the  Philipse 
Patent  was  divided  in  1788.  By  the  terms  of  the  Act,  "All 
that  part  of  the  County  of  Dutchess  bounded  southerly  by  the 
County  of  Westchester,  westerly  by  Hudson  River,  northerly 
by  the  north  bounds  of  the  land  granted  to  Adolph  Philipse, 
and  easterly  by  the  east  bounds  of  the  Long  Lot  Number  Four, 
formerly  belonging  to  Beverly  Robinson:  shall  be  and  hereby 
is  erected  into  a,  town  by  the  name  of  Philipstown." 

The  first  change  in  the  boundaries  of  the  town  was  made  March 
14th,  1806,  when  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  "  All  such  part 
of  the  town  of  Philipstown  as  lies  north  of  the  west  line  begin- 
ning by  the  north  river  at  the  southwestermost  end  of  Break 
neck  hill,  and  running  from  thence  North  52  degrees  east  to  the 
division  line  between  the  same  towns,  is  hereby  annexed  to  the 
town  of  Pishkill,  any  law  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWX.  519 

It  is  this  change  that  causes  the  northwest  corner  of  Putnatn 
county  to  appear  to  be  cut  off  as  it  really  is. 

The  next  change  in  the  limits  of  the  town  was  March  14th, 
1839,  when  the  present  town  of  Putnam  Valley  was  established, 
which  embraced  the  greater  part  of  Beverly  Eobinson's  Long 
Lot.  From  these  changes  the  present  limits  of  the  town  em- 
brace the  three  Eiver  Lots  of  Philipse  Patent  (with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  northwest  part  of  Lot  No.  3)  and  that  portion  of  Lot 
No.  4  which  lies  north  of  the  Philipstown  Turnpike,  and  west 
of  the  present  boundary  of  the  town  of  Kent. 

As  the  three  River  Lots  have  a  distinct  and  separate  history, 
they  will  be  considered  in  succession. 

Lot  No.  1,  or  "Beverly  Robinson's  river  lot,"  as  it  was 
termed,  is  the  southern  extremity  of  the  town  When  sur- 
veyed in  1753,  the  south  line  was  described  as  "Beginning  at  a 
red  cedar  tree  marked,  on  the  north  side  of  the  hill  commonly 
called  Anthony's  Nose,  which  is  likewise  the  north  bounds  of 
Col.  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt's  land  or  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  and 
running  east  along  the  line  of  said  Manor  360  chains  to  a  white 
oak  marked  with  P.  1753." 

In  a  petition  of  Stephen  Van  Cortlandt,  the  red  cedar  tree  is 
mentioned  as  "  standing  at  the  south  end  of  the  marsh  by  the 
river,"  but  of  course  this  landmark  has  long  since  disappeared. 
The  east  line  of  the  lot  began  at  the  white  oak  mentioned  and 
"  ran  north  10  degrees  east,  340  chains  to  a  chestnut  tree  marked 
P.  R.  1753,  on  the  west  side,  standing  on  the  east  side  of  a 
steep  rocky  mountain."  This  chestnut  tree  had  decayed  and 
fallen  to  the  ground  in  1802.  and  in  its  place  was  a  chestnut 
sapling,  which  sprang  from  the  root  and  was  marked  for  the 
corner.  This  sapling,  now  grown  to  be  a  large  tree,  is  standing 
on  the  east  side  of  the  mountain  (sometimes  called  Hog  Hill) 
near  the  top,  and  is  the  northeast  corner  of  the  land  of  John 
Travis,  and  on  the  line  bet  ween  his  land  and  that  of  Henry  Post, 
on  the  north  and  east.  The  north  line  of  the  lot  began  at  this 
chestnut  tree  and  "ran  south  75  degrees,  west  174  chains  to  a 
heap  of  stones,  on  a  high  hill,  then  north  65  degrees  west  83 
chains  to  a  pine  tree  standing  by  Hudson's  River  marked  P.  R., 
by  a  heap  of  stones  22  chains  below  a  rock  called  and  known  by 
the  name  of  the  Old  Wife  lying  in  the  mouth  of  the  brook." 
This  point  on  the  river  is  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  north  of  the 


520  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

ferry  at  Garrison's,  and  a  stone  wall  marks  the  line  which  runs 
across  the  middle  of  the  railroad  tunnel. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution  the  inhabitants  on  this  tract  were 
very  few  in  numbers,  and  it  will  be  noticed  that  on  Erskine's 
map  the  only  houses  that  appear  are  those  of  Beverly  Robinson 
and  John  Mandeville,  the  latter  being  a  short  distance  north  of 
Garrison's.  A  few  tenants  were  scattered  on  farms,  but  the 
rugged  and  mountainous  nature  of  a  large  portion  of  the  lot 
rendered  it  less  desirable  as  a  place  of  settlement  than  the  fer- 
tile valleys  in  the  eastern  part  of  Philipse  Patent,  and  the 
number  of  inhabitants  of  the  Philipse  Precinct  in  1777  was 
small  compared  with  the  precincts  of  Fredericksburg  and 
Southeast. 

Col.  Beverly  Robinson,  whose  name  is  so  intimately  connected 
with  the  history  of  this  portion  of  the  country,  was  a  son  of 
Hon.  John  Robinson  of  Virginia,  who  was  president  of  that 
colony.  In  early  manhood  he  came  to  New  York,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  business.  His  marriage  with  Susannah  Philipse  made 
him  son  in-law  of  one  of  the  wealthiest  citizens  of  the  colony 
and  greatly  advanced  his  pecuniary  prospects.  For  some  time 
before  thq  Revolution  he  made  his  home  in  the  mansion  near 
Garrison's  which,  from  its  connection  with  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant episodes  in  the  nation's  history,  has  ever  been  an  object 
of  interest  and  curiosity.  Col.  Robinson  and  his  wife  were  thg 
only  members  of  the  Philipse  family  who  made  their  home  on 
the  patent,  and  he  was  frequently  elected  supervisor  of  the 
precinct,  and  was  prominent  in  the  business  affairs  of  the 
county. 

The  Revolution  found  him  quietly  settled  on  his  estate,  en- 
joying the  confidence  and  good  will  of  his  tenant  neighbors.  At 
first  his  sympathies  appeared  to  be  with  the  colonies  and  in  op- 
position to  the  rash  measures  of  the  British  Ministry,  and  like 
many  others  at  that  time,  he  illustrated  his  views  by  giving  up 
(he  use  of  imported  merchandise,  and  clothed  himself  and 
family  in  domestic  goods.  He  was  led  to  relinquish  these 
views  by  the  importunity  of  friends,  and  entered  the  military 
service  of  the  Crown.  His  standing  in  society  entitled  him  to  a 
high  rank,  and  he  was  made  colonel  of  the  "Loyal  American 
Legion,"  raised  principally  by  himself,  and  he  also  commanded 
the  "Corps  of  Guides  and  Pioneers,"  and  of  the  former  his 
son,  Beverly,  was  lieutenant-colonel.     During  the  war  he  was 


TOWN    OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  521 

very  prominent  in  cases  of  defection  from  the  Whig  cause,  and 
is  generally  believed  to  have  been  privy  to  Arnold's  treason, 
and  was  on  the  British  man  of  war  "Vulture,"  at  the  time 
when  Major  Andre  left  the  vessel  to  begin  the  fatal  journey 
which  ended  when  he  was  laid  to  rest  on  the  hillside  at  Tappan. 
After  the  conviction  and  sentence  of  Andre,  an  unavailing  at- 
tempt was  made  to  save  him,  and  Col.  Robinson,  as  a  witness, 
accompanied  the  three  commissioners  who  were  sent  by  Gen. 
Clinton,  and  he  also  forwarded  to  Washington  a  letter  in  which 
he  recalled  their  former  acquaintance. 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  Col.  Robinson,  with  a  portion 
of  his  family,  went  to  England,  and  his  name  appears  as  a 
member  of  the  first  Council  of  New  Brunswick,  but  he  never 
took  his  seat.  Upon  the  establishment  of  the  State  Govern- 
ment, Col.  Robinson  and  his  wife,  with  a  multitude  of  others, 
were  by  Act  of  Attainder,  passed  October  22d,  1779,  banished 
from  the  State  under  pain  of  death  if  they  ever  returned,  and 
their  estates  were  confiscated  and  sold  by  the  commissioners  of 
forfeiture,  appointed  for  that  purpose.  From  the  time  of  his 
arrival  in  England,  he  seems  to  have  passed  a  peaceful  and  quiet 
life,  at  Mort  Lake.  He  died  about  1792.  The  British  govern- 
ment allowed  him  and  his  wife,£17,000  for  the  loss  of  their  estate. 

Of  the  children  of  Colonel  Robinson,  Mary,  the  second 
daughter,  died  in  England,  July  9th,  1833,  aged  72.  Beverly 
Robinson,  jr.,  who,  as  "  Beverly  Robinson  the  younger,"  was 
attainted  with  his  parents,  was  a  graduate  of  Columbia  College, 
and  studied  law  with  James  Duane.  Previous  to  the  Revolu- 
tion he  appears  to  have  occiapied  a  farm  near  the  present  vil- 
lage of  Patterson.  At  the  evacuation  of  New  York  he  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  large  number  of  loyalists,  who  em- 
barked for  Shelburne,  N.  S.,  and  laid  out  that  place.  He  after- 
ward removed  to  New  Brunswick  and  resided  at  St.  John's. 
He  was  a  member  of  His  Majesty's  Council,  and  at  first  suffered 
much  from  reduced  circumstances,  but  finally  received  half  pay, 
as  an  officer.  He  died  in  New  York  in  1816.  He  was  buried 
in  St.  Paul's  Church  yard,  New  York.  His  grave  stone,  which 
stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  yard,  near  the  southwest  corner, 
bears  the  following  inscription: 

"Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  the  Hon.  Beverly  Robinson,  late 
of  Frederickton,  in  the  Province  of  New  Brunswick.  Born  the 
8th  of  March,  1751,  and  died  on  the  6th  of  October,  1816." 


522  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Sir  Frederick  Philipse  Robinson,  2d,  son  of  Colonel  Beverly 
Robinson,  entered  the  King's  service  during  the  Revolution, 
and  went  to  England  with  his  father.  He  was  knighted  and 
made  lieutenant-general,  and  was  wounded  at  the  storming  of 
St.  Sebastian,  while  fighting  under  the  command  of  Wellington. 
In  the  War  of  1812,  he  was  employed  in  Canada,  and  com- 
manded the  British  forces  at  the  attack  on  Plattsburg.  At  the 
conclusion  of  hostilities,  he  returned  to  England,  and  on  the 
way  he  stopped  at  the  Highlands,  to  visit  the  estate  which  had 
been  the  home  of  his  childhood,  and  it  is  said  that  he  shed 
bitter  tears  as  he  trod  once  more  the  spot  he  never  was  to  see 
again.  He  survived  all  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  was  living 
at  Brighton,  Eng.,  in  1846.  He  left  a  daughter,  Maria  Susan- 
nah, wife  of  Hamilton  C.  J.  Hamilton,  H.  B.  M.,  Minister  to 
Rio  Janeiro. 

Morris  Robinson,  the  third  son,  was  captain  in  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  and  was  kept  in  commission  after  the  war.  He  was 
lieutenant-colonel  and  assistant  barracks  master  in  the  British 
Army.  He  died  at  Gibraltar,  in  1815,  at  the  age  of  56.  He 
married  a  sister  of  Captain  Waring  of  the  British  Navy.  Their 
children  were:  Margaret  Ann,  wife  of  Rev.  J.  Cross,  who  died 
in  1837,  aged  43;  Beverly,  who  was  a  captain  in  the  Royal  Ar- 
tillery; Frederick,  John  and  Oliver  (all  of  whom  were  officers 
in  the  Royal  service);  Susan,  wife  of  Hon.  Robert  Parker; 
and  Joanna,  wife  of  Robert  F.  Hazen,  Esq.,  of  New  Bruns- 
wick. 

John  Robinson,  the  fourth  son,  was  lieutenant  in  the  "Loyal 
American  Regiment,"  and  settled  in  New  Brunswick.  He  was 
depiity  paymaster  of  the  forces  in  Canada,  and  mayor  of  St. 
John's,  where  he  died  in  1828,  at  the  age  of  67.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Hon.  George  J).  Ludlow.  Their  children 
were:^  Frances  Maria,  wife  of  Col.  John  Wilson;  William  Henry, 
who  was  deputy  commissary  general;  Beverly,  who  was  treas- 
urer of  New  Brunswick;  Daniel  L.,  a  barrister  at  law;  and  John 
M.,  who  was  master  in  chancery,  in  1846. 

Sir  William  Henry  Robinson,  the  youngest  son,  went  to  Eng- 
land with  his  father  and  was  at  the  head  of  the  Commissariat 
Department,  and  was  knighted  for  his  services.  He  died  at 
Bath,  in  1836,  aged  71.  His  wife  was  Catharine,  daughter  of 
Cortlandt  Skinner,  who  was  attorney  general  of  New  Jersey. 
Their  children  were:  William  Henry,  a  captain  in  the  British 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  523 

Army;  Catharine,  wife  of  Major  Greneral  Smelt,  and  Elizabeth, 
who  married  her  cousin,  Sir  William  Henry  Robinson. 

Susannah  Philipse,  wife  of  Col.  Beverly  Robinson,  survived 
her  husband,  and  died  in  1822,  at  the  advanced  age  of  94. 

Among  the  Philipse  papers  are  preserved  several  letters  writ- 
ten by  Beverly  Robinson,  and  containing  many  items  of  inter- 
est. We  present  two  of  them  to  the  reader.  The  first  was 
written  previous  to  the  Revolution,  and  while  he  was  living  at 
the  Highlands.  The  other  was  written  from  England,  after  his 
banishment. 

"Highlands,  Oct.  13,  1768. 
"Dear  Sister. 

"I  could  not  make  a  division  of  your  Lot  No.  6  before  Dolphy 
went  down,  but  I  have  since  endeavored  to  do  it,  and  now  en- 
close you  a  plan  which  .1  think  would  make  an  Equal  Division 
among  you,  but  as  T  am  not  particularly  acquainted  with  every 
farm,  but  have  only  done  it  from  my  General  knowledge  of  the 
Lott,  perhaps  it  may  not  be  so  exact  as  you  would  have  it,  or 
that  I  wish  it  to  be  and  therefore  if  you  employ  Belding  or  any 
other  person  to  go  among  your  Tenants  this  fall  he  may  view 
every  farm  and  then  he  will  be  able  to  judge  whether  my  method 
is  nearly  right  or  not.  You  will  observe  by  comparing  my  list 
with  the  map  that  I  have  endeavored  to  keep  as  many  farms 
together  in  a  body  for  each  Division  as  I  could  without  regard 
to  the  number  at  all.  I  am  greatly  at  a  loss  how  to  advise  you 
in  the  division  of  the  River  Lot,  as  there  is  so  great  a  propor- 
tion of  bad  rough  land  in  it.  I  believe  it  would  be  best  to  get  a 
surveyor  to  run  out  the  farms,  that  it  may  be  known  how 
much  good  land  there  is  in  each.  Dolphy  and  I  had  old  Tim 
with  us  but  we  found  it  impossible  to  find  out.  what  was  due 
from  each  tenant,  for  back  rent.  I  suppose  that  all  those  that 
gave  notes  settled  with  Mr.  Philipse  &  their  notes  were  in^full 
for  back  rent  to  that  time  so  that  there  can  be  no  difficulty  with 
them.  The  others  must  be  charged  from  the  time  we  had  the 
Patent  &  let  them  show  Receipts  for  what  they  have  paid, 
unless  Mr.  Philipse  Rent  Book  will  show  what  he  has  received 
of  them.  T  sent  you  by  Dolphy  a  list  of  your  Short  Lot  with 
the  annual  rents  they  pay  &  such  observations  on  several  of  the 
farms  as  fall  within  my  own  knowledge,  he  also  took  a  list  of 
the  Long  Lot.  I  send  you  all  the  papers  and  Maps  that  you 
left  with  me.     I  had  like  to  have  forgot  to  mention  that  by  the 


o24  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTi'. 

Map  there  appears  to  be  on  the  Long  Lot  a  tract  of  1470  acres 
of  Rough  vacant  land  not  in  possession  of  any  tenant,  that  may 
easily  be  divided  into  four  j)arts  or  added  to  either  of  the  Di- 
visions that  may  be  thought  inferior  to  the  others.  Neither 
have  I  taken  any  notice  of  the  two  sjjaall  farms  on  this  Lot,  of 
58  acres  each,  sold  to  Moses  Fowler.  The  money  they  sold  for 
may  be  divided  as  well,  or  better,  than  the  laud.  I  can  think 
of  nothing  further  about  your  lands  at  present  but  shall  always 
be  very  ready  and  willing  to  give  all  the  Information  I  can  to 
Belding,  or  any  other  person  you  employ,  about  the  Lands  if 
they  will  call  upon  me.  We  are  all  very  well  and  joyne  in  our 
best  wishes- to  you,  Dolphy  and  the  Boys,  &  pray  dont  'forget 
our  best  respects  toyMr.  Crooke  and  I  am 

"Dear  Sister  your  most  aJBft 

"  &  Humble  Servt 

"  Bev.  Robinson. 
"  Mrs.  Margaret  Philipse  in  Naw  York." 

"Mort  Lake  June  4,  1786. 
"Dear  Fred. 

"I  wrote  to  yflur  mother  t;he  30th  June,  1784,  by  Mr.  Robert 
Kemble,  but  as  I  never  heard  whether  that  letter  reached  her,  I 
will  repeat  to  you  the  information  I  then  gave  her  concerning 
our  Lands  in  Dutchess  County,  viz,  we  sold  a  tract  on  the  un- 
divided part  of  the  Patent  to  Capt.  Duncan  Campbell  for  £1,015, 
New  York  currency,  for  the  payment  of  which  he  gave  us  his 
Bond  &  mortgage  dated  25  June,  1772,  conditioned  to  pay  £200 
a  year  with  interest  on  the  whole  from  the  date  till  all  was  paid. 
The  Mortgage  is  to  Roger  Morris,  B.  Robinson,  John  Ogilvie, 
Adolph  Philipse  &  Nath.  Marston,  and  is  recorded  in  the 
Clerk's  ofRce  for  Dutchess  County,  and  let  what  will  come  of 
Col.  Morris'  share  and  mine  you  certainly  are  entitled  to  re- 
cover your  third  part  and  ye  farm  is  a  good  security  to  you 
for  it. 

"  We  gave  a  lease  for  ever  to  Wm.  Pendergrast  for  the  farm 
he  held  on  the  undivided  part  of  ye  Patent  to  pay  the  Quit 
Rent  of  the  whole  Patent  for  ever  &  made  the  rent  equal  to  the 
quit  rent,  which  by  a  covenant  in  the  lease  was  to  be  paid  yearly 
at  the  Receiver  General's  office.  This  lease  is  also  recorded. 
But  as  this  was  a  very  advantageous  bargain  for  Pendergrast 
he,  in  order  to  obtain  the  Lease  agreed  to  pay,  £160,18,7,  for  it 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  525 

&  gave  his  bond  dated  14  April,  1774,  for  that  sum,  not  a  far- 
thing of  which  has  ever  been  paid.  This  bond  is  payable  to 
the  same  persons  as  that  Campbell's  Mortgage  and  your  family 
is  entitled  to  one  third  part  of  it.  Pendergrast  sold  his  Lease 
to  Humphry  Slocum  for  a  very  great  price,  4  or  5  times  as  much 
as  he  was  to  give  us  for  it  and  therefore  oaght  to  pay  off  his 
bond.  Pendergrast  moved  above  Albany,  I  think  upon  Hud- 
son's river  but  what  is  become  of  him  since,  is  impossible  for 
me  to  tell.  He  was  always  a  very  industrious  saving  man  and 
I  have  no  doubt  is  able  to  pay  you.  You  have  herewith  Jona- 
than Hampton's  map  and  return  book  of  the  farms  on  the  un- 
divided, on  which  I  have  marked  all  those  that  have  been  sold, 
all  of  which  have  been  paid  for  &  settled  among  the  Proprie- 
tors except  Campbell  &  Pendergrast,  you  also  have  a  survey 
and  return  of  Peter  Dubois  for  the  farms  sold  to  Henry  Daviss, 
Moses  Bowdie  &  John  Chase,  as  there  was  a  considerable  alter 
ation  made  in  Hampton's  survey,  when  those  lands  were  sold  to 
them  people  to  accommodate  them.  I  had  made  an  agreement 
with  James  Grrant  for  the  farm  marked  on  the  map  as  Daniel 
Mead's  at  forty  shillings  per  acre,  and  I  think  he  was  to  have  had 
the  part  that  Blihu  Wing  possessed  on  the  undivided  &  old 
Saml.  Monroes  place  with  Meads,  but  they  were  to  be  at  three 
pounds  per  acre.  The  part  of  the  Patent  that  we  called  the  un- 
divided, was  what  we  got  from  Col.  Beekman  upon  settling  the 
dispute  about  the  bounds  between  his  Patent  &  ours.  After 
we  had  made  a  division  of  all  the  Patent  clear  of  any  dispute; 
but  the  bounds  between  Rumbouts  Patent  &  ours  was  also  un- 
settled when  we  made  our  division,  which  we  afterwards  left 
to  an  arbitration  with  ye  Patentees  of  Rumbout  &  by  the  award 
of  the  arbitrators  a  tract  of  land  of  I  suppose  several  thousand 
acres  (for  it  was  never  run  out)  fell  to  us  on  that  quarter.  We 
divided  our  Patent  by  a  due  east  line  from  Hudson  river  to  the 
Oblong,  and  those  arbitrators  gave  us  an  angle  of  six  d(Jgrees 
to  ye  northward  of  an  east  line,  but  these  papers  are  all  upon 
record  and  will  speak  for  themselves.  Wm.  NicoUs,  Daniel 
Kissam  and  a  Mr.  Hicks  were  the  arbitrators. 

"After  the  death  of  your  grand  mother  Philipse,  the  exec- 
utors of  your  grand  fathers  will,  agreed  to  sell  to  Adam  Gil- 
christ, her  coach  house  and  garden  in  New  Street  for  three  hun- 
dred pounds.  A  deed  was  drawn  but  was  put  off  and  never 
signed.     He  was  allowed  to  take  possession  of  the  premises,  but 


526  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

never  paid  the  money.  He  may  possibly  say  I  owed  him  money 
but  that  is  not  the  case  for  he  has  been  overpaid  by  me,  and  is 
now  in  my  debt.  *  *  *  j  leff,  with  your  mother 
a  trunk  of  papers  which  I  desire  you  will  open  and  you  will 
find  in  it  the  following  papers  which  you  have  a  right  to,  viz, 
an  exemplification  of  your  grand  father  Philipse's  will.  The 
agreement  between  Col.  Beekman  &c  and  us,  &  conveyances 
from  them  for  the  undivided  land.  The  agreement  &c  between 
ye  Patentees  of  Rumbout  and  us  &  the  arbitrators  award.  The 
award  by  the  arbitrators  for  settling  our  dispute  with  the  Con- 
necticut men,  and  a  map  or  two  of  the  Patent:  and  I  believe 
you  will  find  the  deed  drawn  for  Gilchrist.  These  are  all  the 
papers  in  that  trunk  that  can  ever  be  of  use  to  you  or  your 
family.  There  are  abundance  of  papers  about  the  tryalls  and 
disputes  we  had  with  Munroe  &c  about  our  Patent,  but  they 
can  never  be  of  the  least  use  or  service.  I  must  beg  tho'  there 
is  no  paper  or  book  in  it  of  real  use  to  me,  that  you  will  not 
let  any  person  but  yourself  examine  the  trunk,  but  when  you 
have  got  the  above  papers  out,  let  it  be  done  up  again,  and  when 
you  return  to  this  country,  if  you  can,  bring  it  with  yon  as 
part  of  baggage.  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you — it  is  not  worth 
paying  freight  for. 

"Bev.  Robinson. 

"  N.  B.  In  looking  over  my  papers  I  found  a  possession  bond 
from  Jonathan  Pine  which  I  think  runs  into  the  undivided  we 
obtained  from  Rumbout,  and  may  be  of  use  to  you,  therefore 
have  put  it  up  for  you." 

At  the  time  of  the  confiscation  of  the  estate  of  Colonel  Rob- 
inson the  greater  part  of  Lot  1  was  sold  to  William  Denning. 
The  deed  for  a  large  tract  on  the  eastern  part  of  the  lot  is  on 
record  in  the  clerk's  office  of  Putnam  county  and  the  following 
is  an  Abstract: 

"  This  indenture  made  the  twenty-third  day  of  May  in  the 
ninth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  State  of  New  York  and 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1785.  Between  Daniel  Graham  Esq. 
Commissioner  of  Forfeitures  for  the  middle  district  of  said 
state  appointed  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  en- 
titled an  Act  for  the  speedy  sale  of  the  confiscated  and  forfeited 
estates,  passed  the  twelfth  day  of  May  1784,  and  Wm.  Den- 
ning of  the  City  of  New  York  Esq.  Witnesseth  that  the  said 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  '  527 

Daniel  Graham  by  virtue  of  the  power  &c  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  nine  pounds  eight  shil- 
lings *  *  *  hath  granted  sold  and  confirmed  to  said  Wm. 
Denning  all  those  two  tracts  of  land  being  part  of  a  certain  Lot 
known  by  the  name  of  Water  Lot  1,  forfeited  by  the  attainder 
of  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susannah  his  wife.  The  first  tract 
beginning  at  a  leaning  chestnut  oak  tree  marked  with  three 
notches  on  thre.e  sides  standing  in  the  division  line  between  the 
Counties  of  Westchester  and  Dutchess,  being  the  southwest 
corner  of  a  lot  or  tract  within  the  said  Water  Lot  lately  surveyed 
to  Major  John  Campbell,  and  runs  along  the  last  mentioned  Lot 
north  13  degrees  east,  59  chains  to  a  water  oak  tree,  marked. 
Thence  south  87  degrees  and  40  minutes  west,  11  chains  and  71 
links,  thence  north  28  degrees  east,  50  chains  87  links  to  a  heap 
of  stones  on  the  west  side  of  a  certain  road,  thence  south  50 
degrees  east  45  chains  to  a  large  rock,  being  the  southermost 
corner  of  a  Lot  surveyed  for  John  Meeks,  then  along  the  last 
mentioned  Lot,  north  58  degrees  east  21  chains  to  a  walnut  sap- 
ling, thence  north  60  degrees  east,  56  chains  and  50  links  to  the 
easterly  bounds  of  said  Water  Lot  then  along  the  same  as  the 
needle  pointed  when  it  was  originally  run,  north  10  degrees  east, 
but  as  the  needle  now  points  north  7  degrees'  and  40  minutes 
east,  about  230  chains  and  80  links  to  the  north  east  corner  of 
said  Water  Lot,  Thence  along  the  north  bounds  thereof  as  the 
needle  pointed  when  it  was  originally  surveyed,  south  75  de- 
grees west  but  as  it  now  points,  south  72  degrees  and  40  min- 
utes west,  95  chains  and  40  links,  to  the  east  bounds  of  that 
part  of  the  aforesaid  Water  Lot  already  conveyed  to  said  Wm. 
Denning  by  Daniel  Graham  Esq.  Commissioner  &c  Then  along 
the  east  bounds  of  the  aforesaid  lot  471  chains  to  the  south 
bounds  of  said  Water  Lot  being  the  Division  line  between  West- 
chester and  Dutchess  Counties,  Then  along  the  line  as  the  needle 
pointed  when  it  was  originally  surveyed  east,  but  as  it  now 
points  north  87  degrees  and  40  minutes  east,  88  chains  and  40 
links  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Containing  3,346  acres  of  land, 
with  the  usual  allowance  for  highways." 

"  The  other  tract  begins  at  the  south  east  corner  of  the  lot 
surveyed  for  John  Weeks,  then  along  the  same  41  degrees  east, 
5  chains  80  links,  thence  north  58  degrees  east,  4  chains,  thence 
north  68  degrees  30  minutes  east,  11  chains  70  links;  thence 
north  36  degrees  east  7  chains  and  25  links  thence  north  59  de- 


528  HI&TOIJT    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

grees  15  minutes  east  5  chains;  thence  north  67  degrees  30  min- 
utes east  6  chains,  thence  north  51  degrees  east  3  chains  85  links 
to  a  red  oak  tree:  thence  north  41  degrees  30  minutes  east,  2 
chains  to  the  east  bounds  of  the  said  Water  Lot  thence  along 
the  same  as  the  needle  pointed  when  it  was  originally  run,  south 
10  degrees  west,  32  chains  to  that  part  of  the  Water  Lot  sur- 
veyed for  Maj.  John  Campbell;  then  along  the  same  south  80 
degrees  west,  31  chains  to  the  place  of  beginning  containing  48 
acres." 

William  Denning',  to  whom  the  above  tract  was  sold,  was  a 
wealthy  merchant  of  New  York,  and  purchased  large  tracts  in 
other  portions  of  the  State.  In  addition  to  the  above  he  pur- 
chased from  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  all  that  portion  of 
Lot  1  lying  between  the  Hudson  River  and  the  tract  above  de- 
scribed and  remained  the  possessor  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
This  western  portion  of  the  lot  was  generally  called  the  "  Bev- 
erly estate." 

William  Denning  by  his  will  left  his  son,  William  Denning, 
jr.,  and  his  son-in-law,  William  Henderson,  executors  of  his 
estate.  In  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  will  the  executors 
caused  to  be  surveyed  from  the  Beverly  estate  1,000  acres 
bounded  as  follows:  "Beginning  on  the  north  or  Hudson's 
river,  at  the  mouth  of  the  brook  which  runs  north  of  the  field 
known  by  the  name  of  the  Totten  field;  thence  running  easterly 
up  the  said  brook  through  the  middle  thereof  to  a  bridge  near 
the  entrance  into  said  field;  thence  on  a  line  south  75  degrees 
east  to  a  point  or  station  from  whence  a  line  running  north  7 
degrees  east  until  it  intersects  the  road  leading  to  Peekskill, 

'  William  Denning  came  from  Newfoundland.  He  was  a  member  of  Provin- 
cial Congress,  State  Senator,  and  member  of  the  Council  of  Appointment.  He 
was  an  extensive  land  owner  and  much  of  the  lands  bought  from  the  commis- 
sioners of  forfeiture  was  in  payment  for  his  services  to  the  State.  He  died  Octo- 
ber 30th,  1819,  at  the  age  of  80.  His  monument  stands  in  the  northwest  corner 
of  St.  Paul's  Church  yard,  in  New  York.  He  man'ied  successively  two  sisters, 
Sarah  and  Ann,  daughters  of  William  Hawkshurst,  of  Long  Island.  His  chil- 
dren were:  Lucretia,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Shaler;  Sarah,  wife  of  William  Hender- 
son; Amy,  wife  of  James  Gillespie;  Maria,  wife  of  William  Duer;  and  William. 
William  Denning,  2d,  died  February  7th,  1849,  aged  81.  While  principally  en- 
gaged in  business  in  New  York,  he  had  an  elegant  country  seat  on  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson,  at  Grassy  Point,  near  Haverstraw.  He  married  Catharine,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Smith,  a  lawyer  of  New  York,  and  brother  of  Joshua  Hett  Smith, 
the  guide  of  Major  Andre  when  plotting  iwith*  Benedict  Arnold.  His  children 
were:  William  H.,  who  died  unmarried;  Emily,  wife  of  P.  B.  Van  Rensselaer^ 
now  living  at  Fishkill;  and  Caroline,  wife  of  G.  W.  Morton. 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOW:^.  529 

shall  include  within  these  lines,  the  road  leading  to  Peekskill 
and  the  line  of  William  Henderson's  farm,  1,000  acres  of 
land." 

This  was,  by  the  will,  to  be  offered  to  all  of  his  children,  and 
the  one  who  should  offer  the  highest  price  was  to  have  the  same 
with  all  the  improvements,  provided  the  sum  offered  was  not 
less  than  $30,000,  which  was  to  be  charged  to  the  share  of  the 
estate  belonging  to  the  purchaser.  By  a  codicil,  dated  February 
24th,  1809,  William  Denning  devised  to  his  executors  and  to 
Thomas  Hay  as  trustee,  one-fifth  of  his  estate  for  the  benefit  of 
his  grandchildren,  the  children  of  his  son  William,  and  gave 
the  trustees  the  same  option  in  regard  to  the  Beverly  Farm, 
which  he  had  in  his  will  given  to  his  children.  After  the  de- 
cease of  Mr.  Denning  the  executors,  as  provided,  offered  the 
tract  of  1,000  acres  to  the  children  and  trustees,  and  all  of  them 
declined  to  purchase  it  on  the  terms  proposed.  On  the  presen- 
tation of  these  facts  to  the  Court  of  Chancery,  held  by  Hon. 
James  Kent,  Chancellor,  on  the  3d  of  September,  1821,  a  decree 
was  made  directing  the  executors  to  sell  the  tract  by  public 
auction.  Accordingly  the  premises  were  offered  at  auction  "  at 
the  Tontine  Coffee  House,  in  the  City  of  New  York,"  January 
22d,  1822,  and  were  struck  off  to  Thomas  Arden  for  the  sum  of 
$20,000,  and  the  sale  was  duly  confirmed  by  the  Chancellor  on 
the  18th  of  February  in  the  same  year.  Thomas  Arden  having 
in  reality  purchased  the  tract  for  his  grandson,  Philip  Ver 
Planck,  jr.,  a  deed  was  duly  executed  to  him  March  2d,  1822. 
The  deed  describes  the  tract  in  the  terms  mentioned  above,  and 
mentions  the  point  where  the  east  line  intersects  the  road  to 
Peekskill  as  being  "at  a  monument  near  a  small  birch  tree  to 
the  westward  of  Turner's  house."  It  then  runs  along  the 
road  to  the  line  of  fhe  farm  formerly  occupied  by  William  Hen- 
derson, and  along  the  south  bounds  of  that  farm  to  the  Hudson 
Kiver.  The  deed  expressly  reserves  "  a  small  grave  containing 
one  acre  enclosing  a  family  monument,  for  the  express  purpose 
of  protecting  such  monument  and  not  to  be  used  for  any  other 
purpose." 

Philip  Ver  Planck  resold  the  Beverly  Farm  to  his  grand- 
father, Thomas  Arden,  May  26th,  1823.  On  the  2d  of  February, 
1820,  William  Henderson  and  William  Denning,  as  executors, 
sold  to  Thomas  Arden  121  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  Beverly 
Farm  and  lying  south  of  "the  brook  called  brook  Kedron.'* 
34 


530  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

This  tract  or  farm  had  for  some  time  been  in  the  occupancy  of 
William  Henderson,  and  he  at  the  same  time  released  all  his 
claims  to  the  same. 

Thomas  Arden  remained  in  possession  of  this  last  tract  till 
February  24th,  1825,  when  he  conveyed  it  to  his  nephew,  Rich- 
ard D.  Arden,  having  previously  sold  the  Beverly  Farm  to  him 
February  3d,  1824. 

While  in  possession  of  Mr.  Richard  D.  Arden  the  estate  was 
surveyed  and  divided  into  farms  and  a  map  made  of  the  same, 
the  portion  next  the  south  boundary  being  designated  as  the 
"South  Line  Farm.''  Next  north  of  this  came  the  "  Chestnut 
Grove  Farm."  To  the  north  of  the  latter  was  the  "Beverly 
House  Farm,"  next  came  the  "Pine  Grove  Farm,"  while  the 
northern  portion  of  the  estate  was  known  as  the  "Homestead 
Farm." 

A  part  of  the  Pine  Grove  Farm  and  Beverly  House  Farm, 
containing  116  acres,  Ij'ing  between  the  river  and  the  mountains, 
and  north  of  the  "  Beverly  Dock  road,"  was  sold  by  Mr.  Arden 
to  Susan  Dntilh,  November  1st,  1856. 

Upon  the  decease  of  Mr.  Arden,  the  estate  was  divided  by 
the  terms  of  his  will,  in  the  following  manner;  The  Homestead 
Farm,  and  the  part  of  the  Pine  Grove  Farm  which  remained 
unsold,  were  left  to  his  son,  Col.  Thomas  B.  Arden.  The  Bev- 
erly House  Farm  fell  to  his  daughter,  Mary,  wife  of  Peter  P. 
Parrott,  and  on  this  stands  the  old  house  of  Col.  Beverly  Rob- 
inson. Chestnut  Grove  Farm  became  the  property  of  his 
daughter,  Helen,  wife  of  James  S.  Huggins,  while  the  South 
Line  Farm  descended  to  his  third  daughter,  Mrs.  Sarah  Liv- 
ingston. 

The  highway  which  runs  through  this  estate  was  formerly  a 
private  road  and  bore  the  name  of  "  Beverly  Lane,"  and  at  the 
north  end  a  large  gate  was  kept  by  its  former  owner.  The  road 
was  opened  in  1866,  by  authority  of  an  Act  of  Legislature.  In 
1868,  a  tract  of  twenty  acres,  on  that  portion  of  the  Beverly 
House  Farm  which  lies  west  of  Beverly  Lane,  was  sold  by  Mrs. 
Parrott  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Underbill,  who  has  erected  there  an 
elegant  country  seat.  The  remainder  of  this  farm,  together 
with  the  historic  mansion,  whose  name  has  made  the  place 
famous,  was  sold  to  Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  March  28th,  1870.  The 
part  of  Pine  Grove  Farm  lying  west  of  Beverly  Lane  was  also 
purchased  by  Mr.  Fish,  from  Mrs.  Dutilh,  in  1861,  and  land  ad- 


T0V7N    OF   PHILIPSTO\y]Sr.  531 

joining  on  the  north,  was  purchased  from  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Arden, 
in  1862.  Upon  these  tracts,  Mr.  Pish  has  erected  his  country 
residence,  which  is  one  of  the  finest  on  the  Hudson. 

The  greater  part  of  the  Pine  Grove  and  Homestead  Farms 
now  belong  to  William  H.  Osborn,  Esq.,  by  purchases  from 
Mrs.  Dutilh  and  Col.  Thomas  B.  Arden,  in  1858  and  1865.  This 
tract  extends  to  the  top  of  the  mountain,  and  at  the  summit 
Mr.  Osborn  has  built  a  mansion  whicla,  "conspicuous  from 
afar,"  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  objects  that  meet  the  eye 
of  the  traveller  who  ascends  the  Hudson;  and,  like  Cortona,  it 

"Lifts  to  Heaven  its  diadem  of  towers." 

Beverly  House',  the  former  home  of  the  man  who  once  owned 
all  the  country  round,  and  associated  with  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant episodes  of  our  Revolutionary  history,  must  ever  be 
regarded  as-  an  object  of  interest  and  curiosity.  Of  the  time 
when  it  was  built  there  is  no  certain  knowledge.  Col.  Robinson 
seems  to  have  been  living  there  in  1768,  and  it  remained  his  home 
till,  espousing  the  Royal  cause,  he  left  it  never  to  return.  The 
original  house  was  probably  the  central  portion  of  the  dwelling, 
and  additions  on  each  end  appear  to  have  been  built  at  different 
times. 

It  was  here  that  Benedict  Arnold,  at  the  time  of  his  treason, 
had  his  headquarters.  Of  the  conspiracy  of  Arnold;  the  fatal 
journey  of  Andre,  his  leaving  the  deck  of  the  "Vulture"  to 
hold  the  memorable^interview  at  the  foot  of  the  Clove  Moun- 
tain, below  Haverstraw;  of  the  ride  of  both  conspirators,  at 
early  dawn,  to  the  house  of  Joshua  Hett  Smith,  the  dupe  of  the 
traitor  and  the  guide  of  his  victim;  of  the  final  interview,  when 
the  treasonable  plans  were  arranged;  of  the  journey  of  Andre 
the  next  day,  under  the  guidance  of  Smith,  to  the  famous  King's 
Ferry,  at  Stony  Point,  and  from  thence  to  Ver  Planck's  Point 
and  by  way  of  Crom  Pond  to  Pine's  Bridge,  on  the  Croton 
River;  of  their  parting  there,  and  the  final  direction  of  Smith, 
to  take  the  road  to  White  Plains  (instead  of  which  Andre  took 
the  road  to  Sing  Sing);  of  his  capture  atTarrytown;  all  this  has 
been  told  so  often  that  it  would  be  superfluous  to  repeat  it  here. 
At  the  time  of  the  capture,  Andre  was  taken  to  North  Castle, 
and  from  thence  to  Salem.     From  the  latter  place  he  was  sent 

'Now  occupied  by  William  E.  Rogers,  railroad  commissioner  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  a  graduate  of  West  Point,  M.  A.,  in  1867. 


532  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

under  a  strong  guard  by  the  way  of  Continental  Village  to  the 
house  of  Beverly  Robinson.  Previous  to  this  a  message  had 
been  dispatched  by  Colonel  Jameson  (in  vyhose  custody  Andre 
was  retained  at  Salem)  to  Washington,  announcing  the  capture 
and  containing  the  papers  found  concealed  in  the  boots  of  the 
prisoner. 

At  the  time  of  Andre's  capture,  Washington  was  on  his  way 
from  Hartford,  and  changing  the  route  he  at  first  proposed, 
came  by  way  of  the  Highlands.  At  Fishkill  he  met  the  French 
Minister,  M.  de  La  Luzerne,  and  remained  with  him  during  the 
night.  Very  early  the  next  morning,  he  sent  off  his  luggage 
with  orders  to  the  men  to  go  as  quickly  as  possible  to  "  Beverly 
house,"  and  give  notice  to  Gen.  Arnold  that  he  would  be  there 
TO  breakfast.  When  opposite  West  Point,  Washington  turned 
his  horse  down  a  road  that  led  to  the  river.  La  Payette,  who 
was  in  company  with  the  commander,  remarked,  "Greneral,  you 
are  going  in  a  wrong  direction.  You  know  Mrs.  Arnold  is 
waiting  breakfast  for  us,  and  that  road  will  take  us  out  of  the 
way."  To  this,  the  General  made  the  joking  reply,  "Ah,  I 
know  you  young  men  are  all  in  love  with  Mrs.  Arnold  and  wish 
to  get  where  she  is  as  soon  as  possible.  You  may  go  and  take 
your  breakfast  with  her  and  tell  her  not  to  wait  for  me,  for  I 
must  ride  down  and  examine  the  redoubts  on  this  side  of  the 
river  and  will  be  there  in  a  short  time."  The  officers,  however, 
remained  with  him,  except  two  aids-de-camp,  who  rode  on  to 
make  known  the  cause  of  the  delay.  Previous  to  sending  the 
papers  found  with  Andre  to  Washington,  Col.  Jameson  had 
sent  a  letter  to  Arnold,  stating  that  he  "sent  a  certain  Mr. 
Anderson'  forward,  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Allen  and  a 
guard,  who  had  been  taken  while  on  his  way  to  New  York, 
and  also  informing  him  that  the  papers  found  on  him  had 
been  sent  to  the  commander  in  chief. 

Major  Benjamin  Talmadge,  who  was  next  in  command  to  Col. 
Jameson,  was  absent  at  the  time,  and  upon  his  return  the  same 
evening,  learned  with  astonishment  the  proceedings  of  Col. 
Jameson.  Upon  his  urgent  request  a  messenger  was  dispatched 
to  bring  Andre  back  to  North  Castle,  but  the  letter  to  Arnold 
was  not  delayed. 

When  the  aids-de-camp  sent  forward  by  Washington  arrived 

'The  reader  is  doubtless  aware  that  "  John  Anderson  "  was  the  assumed  name- 
under  which  Andre  conducted  his  negotiations  with  Arnold. 


TOWN    OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  533 

at  Robinson's  house,  and  it  was  announced  that  the  General 
would  not  be   there,  Arnold,  his  family  and  the  aids- de-camp 
sat  down  to  breakfast.     While  at   the  table,  Lieutenant  Allen, 
the  messenger  sent  by  Col.  Jameson,  rode  up,  bearing  the  letter 
to  Arnold  which  informed  him  of  the  failure  of  all  his  plans. 
No  time  was  to  be  lost.      The  traitor  knew  full  well  that  his 
only  chance  for  safety  lay  in  immediate  escape.      Informing 
those  present  that  his  immediate  attendance  was  required  at 
West   Point,    he   left   the   table   and   went   to   Mrs.    Arnold's 
chamber  and  sent  for  her.     In  hurried  words  he  told   her  that 
they  must  instantly  part,  perhaps  forever,  as  his  life  depended 
on  his  reaching  the  enemies'  lines  without  detection.    Hastening 
from  the  room  he  is  said  to  have  mounted  a  horse  belonging  to 
one  of  the  aids  of  Washington,   and  hastened  to  the  landing 
place   on    the  river  which  still  bears   the  name  of    "Beverly 
Dock."     Instead  of  taking  the  usual  road  he  pursued  a  shorter 
route,  by  a  foot  path,  which  led  down  a  steep  hill  and  across  a 
marsh,  and  which  has  ever  since  borne  the  name  of  "  Arnold's 
path.'"     Entering  his  barge,   he  directed   the  six  oarsmen  to 
pull  for  Teller's  Point,  now  known  as  Underhill's  Point,  and  to 
increase  their  efforts,  two  gallons  of  rum  were  promised  as  a 
reward,  and  thus  Benedict  Arnold  left  the  military  post  he  had 
plotted  to  betray.     Four  hours  later  the  messenger  dispatched 
by  Col.  Jameson  arrived,  bearing  the  fatal  documents  found  on 
Andre,  and  also  his  own  letter  to  Washington,  revealing  his 
true  name  and  official  rank.     In  the  mean  time  the  General  had 
gone  over  to  West  Point  to  inspect  the  works,  expecting  to  find 
Arnold  there.     To  his  surprise  no  salute  greeted  him  on  his  ap- 
proach, and  he  learned  from  Colonel  Lamb  that  Arnold  had  not 
been  there,  nor  been  heard  from  within  the  last  two  days.   After 
making  his  inspection,  he  returned  about  noon   to   "Beverly 
Dock,"  intending  to  dine  at  Robinson's  house.     While  ascend- 
ing from  the  river,   Alexander  Hamilton  was  seen  approaching 
with  a  hurried  step  and  anxious  countenance.     The  sad  tale  was 
soon  told.     The  papers  prepared  by  Arnold  to  facilitate  the  be- 
trayal of  the  post  he  was  commissioned  to  defend  were  their 

'Another  version  of  this  affair  was  told  by  a  man  named  Dykman  to  Mr. 
Richard  D.  Arden.  He  stated  that  at  the  time  of  Arnold's  departure  he  was 
working  in  a  barn,  which  stood  on  the  premises.  Looking  out,  he  saw  Arnold, 
with  his  saddle  bags  in  his  hand,  walking  down  the  path,  much  more  rapidly 
than  usual.     This  account  seems  to  be  generally  believed  in  the  neighborhood. 


534  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

own  explanation.  Hamilton  was  at  once  directed  to  ride  as 
rapidly  as  possible  to  Ver  Planck's  Point,  in  hopes  that  he 
might  arrive  in  time  to  intercept  the  fugitive.  Vain  hope! 
Several  hours  of  time  had  placed  him  beyond  reach,  and  he  had 
escaped  from  all  but  his  own  guilty  conscience. 

A  letter  was  at  once  dispatched  to  Colonel  Jameson,  at  Lower 
Salem,  directing  him  to  send  Andre  to  Robinson's  house,  under 
a  strong  guard.  The  messenger  reached  his  destination  at  mid- 
night, and  a  guard  under  Major  Talmadge  set  off  with  the 
prisoner,  immediately.  They  arrived,  after  riding  all  night, 
and  Andre  was  sent  with  his  guard  to  Stony  Point,  and  from 
thence  to  Tappan,  where  his  trial  and  execution  took  place. 

Beverly  house  remains  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  same  con- 
dition as  when  in  possession  of  its  original  owners.  The  prin- 
cipal apartment,  in  the  central  portion  of  the  house,  is  the  room 
where  the  party  were  at  breakfast  when  Jameson's  messenger 
arrived.  The  identical  table  at  which  they  sat  is  now  in  pos- 
session of  Mr.  William  D.  Garrison,  the  proprietor  of  the  Grand 
Union  Hotel,  in  New  York. 

The  north  chamber,  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  house,  is  the 
room  where  Arnold  announced  to  his  wife  the  news  that  they 
must  part.  This  room,  like  the  former,  is  preserved  in  its 
original  condition.  On  the  panel  work  of  Mrs.  Arnold's  bed- 
room is  carved,  "G.  Wallis  Lieut.  VI.  Mass.  Regt."  Origi- 
nally the  driveway  that  led  from  Beverly  Lane  to  the  mansion 
was  on  the  north  side  of  the  house,  but  this  has  been  changed 
to  the  south  side  in  modern  times.  An  ancient  cherry  tree, 
which  seems  old  enough  to  have  borne  fruit  in  the  days  of 
the  Revolution,  stands  near  by,  while  on  the  north  side  is  a 
clump  of  box  which  may  be  equally  aged. 

"Arnold's  path  "  began  on  the  west  side  of  the  lane,  near 
the  outbuildings,  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  stone  wall  which 
is  now  the  boundary  of  the  land  of  Mrs.  Underhill.  Here  was 
originally  a  rail  fence  with  a  wicket  gate.  The  path  led  down 
the  hill  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  rocky  elevation,  and  crossed 
"  Beverly  brook  "  about  thirty  feet  north  of  the  place  where  a 
very  small  stream  of  water  runs  into  it.  From  this  place  it 
crosses  a  marshy  piece  of  ground,  some  stones  and  logs  afford- 
ing a  sf)lid  footing  for  the  traveller.  "  Beverly  Dock,"  still  in 
use,  is  at  the  south  end  of  the  railroad  cut  that  runs  through 
the  hill  which  overlooks  the  spot. 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  535 

Upon  the  homestead  farm  stands  "  Ardenia,"  the  seat  of  Col. 
Thomas  B.  Arden,  and  the  home  of  his  father,  the  former 
owner  of  Beverly  estate.  For  quiet  and  unobtrusive  beauty,  it 
is  excelled  by  few  places  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  and  to 
its  respected  owner  the  writer  is  indebted  for  many  courtesies 
and  much  valuable  information. 

Garrison's. — This  place  was  originally  known  as  Nelson's 
Landing,  from  Caleb  Nelson,  who  was  living  in  the  vicinity 
previous  to  the  Revolution.  The  land  in  this  vicinity  was  un- 
doubtedly included  in  the  sale  of  the  west  part  of  Lot  1,  to 
William  Denning,  and  a  tract  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
lot  is  supposed  to  have  been  sold  to  th^  Nelsons  by  him.  On  the 
30th  of  April,  1803,  Cornelius  Nelson  sold  to  Harry  Garrison  125 
acres  of  land  "exclusive  of  the  three  acres  allowed  for  the  use 
of  the  church."  This  land  is  described  as  "being  in  Water  Lot 
No.  1,  and  beginning  at  the  North- West  corner  of  said  Lot,  and 
thence  running  S.  67  degrees  East  along  the  Water  lot  north 
line  49  chains  57  links  to  a  public  road."  It  ran  south  along 
the  road  to  the  south  line  which  touched  the  river  at  a  point  a 
little  below  the  railroad  station.  The  house  where  Cornelius  Nel- 
son lived  (now  owned  by  Richard  Upjohn)  is  about  one-fourth 
of  a  mile  north  of  Ardenia  and  on  the  corner  of  the  road  to  the 
depot.  Washington  is  said  to  have  stopped  here  at  times  during 
the  Revolution,  as  it  was  then  the  nearest  house  to  the  landing. 
After  the  death  of  Harry  Garrison  the  whole  of  the  tract  which 
he  bought  of  Cornelius  Nelson,  excepting  a  few  small  pieces 
near  the  river,  was  sold  to  Henry  W.  Belcher.  He  sold  the 
northwest  part  of  it  to  Frederick  Philipse  and  it  is  now  held 
by  his  heirs.  The  remainder  was  sold  to  William  S.  Liv- 
ingston. 

Nelson's  Landing  was  in  early  times  the  rendezvous  for  sloop 
and  boatmen,  and  the  productions  of  the  farms  of  Canopus 
Hollow  were  brought  to  this  landing  for  shipment.  In  more 
modern  times  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  has  attracted  many 
gentlemen  from  New  York  to  this  romantic  region,  and  elegant 
country  seats  have  taken  the  place  of  the  plainly  built  dwel- 
lings of  the  early  residents. 

At  the  northeast  corner  of  Lot  1,  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  is 
situated  the  old  Hopper  farm,  now  the  property  of  John  Travis. 
Richard   Hopper,   the  original  occupant,  was  a   tenant  under 


536  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Beverly  Robinson  before  the  Revolution.  The  farm,  which  was 
bounded  north  by  the  north  line  of  the  Lot  No.  1,  and  east,  by 
the  east  line  of  the  same  lot,  which  separates  it  from  Beverly- 
Robinson's  Long  Lot  No.  4,  contained  more  than  200  acres  and 
after  the  Revolution  was  sold  by  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feiture, with  several  thousand  acres  adjoining,  to  William  Den- 
ning. William  Denning  sold  the  farm  to  Richard  Hopper 
November  2d,  1786,  and  he  gave  it  to  his  son  Edward,  who  died 
in  1850,  leaving  it  to  his  children,  EfSe  Griffin,  Richard,  Na- 
thaniel, Michael  and  Samuel  Hopper.  The  greater  part  of  the 
old  farm  now  belongs  to  John  Travis,  who  married  Effie, 
daughter  of  Richard  Hopper,  the  grandson  of  the  original 
owner.  The  old  house  stood  where  the  residence  of  Mr.  Travis 
now  stands,  and  here  the  first  Methodist  meetings  were  held  in 
this  part  of  the  town.  Richard  Hopper  was  a  local  preacher, 
and  his  house  thus  became  the  headquarters  of  the  members  of 
that  denomination.  The  north  line  of  Lot  1  separates  this  farm 
from  the  land  of  Rebecca  Pierce  on  both  sides  of  the  old  post 
road,  and  farther  east  of  it  is  the  boundary  between  Mr.  Travis 
and  Henry  Post.  The  east  line  of  the  lot  is  the  boundary 
between  Mr.  Travis  and  Henry  Post,  whose  house  stands  on 
or  very  near  the  town  line,  and  about  60  rods  north  of  the 
corner  of  the  two  lots. 

South  Highland  Methodist  Church. — The  first  meetings 
of  this  denomination  were  held  in  the  house  of  Richard  Hop- 
per, 2d,  and  he  was  the  first  local  preacher.  David  Jaycox 
was  a  class  leader,  and  Nathaniel  and  Michael  Hopper  were 
active  members.  The  first  church  was  built  in  1829,  on  land 
purchased  from  Harry  Garrison  a!nd  a  portion  of  a  large  tract 
sold  to  him  by  William  Denning.  The  society  was  incorpo- 
rated August  29th,  1829,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  house  of 
Richard  Hopper,  at  which  time  Richard  Garrison,  David  Reed 
and  David  Jaycox  were  chosen  trustees,  the  title  of  the  or- 
ganization being  "  the  Second  M.  E.  Church  and  Congregation 
of  Philipstown."  In  1862  the  present  church  was  built,  and 
the  old  one  was  moved  to  a  piece  of  land  bought  of  Sylvester 
Haight  and  used  as  a  parsonage.  In  the  burying  ground  at- 
tached to  this  church  rest  manj'^  of  the  well-known  men  of  a 
former  generation.  A  few  dates  from  the  tombstones  are: 
Abram  Bennett,  died  Oct.  25th,  1870,  aged  91;  Eunice,  wife,  Jan. 


TOWN    OF   PIIILIPSTOWN.  537 

18th,  1871,  85;  John  Rodder,  Feb.  3d,  1870,  84;  Margaret,  wife, 
July  15th,  1877,  87;  Deborah  Jaycox,  May  14th,  1843,  92;  David 
Jaycox,  Oct.  24th,  1863,  85;  Martha,  wife.  May  5th,  1862,  83; 
Edward  Eldridge,  April  10th,  1837,  83;  Hannah,  wife,  April  17th, 
1837,  85;  James  M.  Nickerson,  May  26th,  1850,  36;  Harvey 
Mead,  June  22d,  1858,  61;  Abigail,  wife,  Aug.  25th,  1858,  60; 
Edward  Hopper,  Nov.  12th,  1850,  88;  Abigail,  wife,  Oct.  4th, 
1840,  67;  Rev.  Richard  Hopper,  May  31st,  1868,  73;  Ruth,  wife, 
February  27th,  1856,  57;  Henry  Croft,  Aug.  8th,  1857,  64;  Mary, 
wife,  July  20th,  1870,  69;  Benj.  Odell,'  Dec.  5th,  1861,  71;  Jolin 
Van  Tassel],  Feb.  7th,  1868,  61 ;  Israel  Horton,  Dec.  14th,  1860, 
84;  Nancy,  wife,  March  15th,  1872,  78;  Valentine  Dobbs,  Feb. 
10th,  1843,  70;  Wm.  Meeks,  June  7th,  1860,  66;  Sabrina,  wife, 
June  19th.  1865,  70;  John  Jaycox,  Jan.  24th,  1855,  70;  Eliza- 
beth, wife,  Jan.  1st,  1866,  75. 

Among  those  who  have  been  foremost  in  promoting  the  in- 
terests of  this  church  should  be  mentioned  Allen  G.  Newman, 
Esq.,  of  New  York. 

HOPPEE  Mine. — On  the  southwest  side  of  the  old  post  road 
is  a  small  portion  of  the  old  Hopper  farm,  situated  at  the  place 
where  the  road  crosses  the  top  of  Canopus  Hill.  This  has 
always  been  known  as  the  "  Mine  lot "  and  the  "  Hopper  Mine  " 
is  located  on  it.  Iron  ore  was  taken  from  this  mine  by  Richard 
Hopper  about  1820.  He  gave  the  land  to  his  son,  Nathaniel, 
but  reserved  the  mine  and  mineral  right,  which  fell  to  his  chil- 
dren. Two-fifths  of  this  right  were  afterward  sold  to  John 
Travis  by  Michael  and  Richard  Hopper  in  1853.  Nathaniel 
Hopper  left  his  right  to  Edward,  Samuel,  Lorella  and  Nathaniel 
Hopper,  by  will,  in  1873.  The  share  of  Efiie  Griffin  descended 
to  her  children,  and  of  these  Allen  Griffin  and  Catharine  Le 
Compte  sold  their  right  to  Caspar  D.  Schulraith,  while  Emily 
Foshay  sold  her  share  to  Ferris  Chapman  April  5th,  1880. 

Upon  this  title  Feri'is  Chapman  began  a  suit  in  partition 
against  the  rest  of  the  owners  under  the  right  descending  from 
Richard  Hopper.  When  the  case  came  to  trial  the  heirs  of 
Frederick  Philipse  presented  their  claim  and  demanded  to  be 
considered  as  defendants  upon  the  following  grounds  : 

When  the  Philipse  Patent  was  divided,  in  1754,  in  each  of 
the  partition  deeds  the  mines  and  minerals  were  reserved,  con- 
sequently they  remained  undivided  property.    The  confiscation 


538  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

]aws  only  affected  tlie  rights  which  belonged  to  Beverly  Robin- 
son and  Roger  Morris  and  their  wives,  and  did  not  affect  the 
right  of  Philip  Philipse,  which  descended  to  his  children.  In 
consequence  the  deed  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  to 
William  Denning,  and  the  deed  from  him  to  Richard  Hopper, 
could  only  convey  the  right  to  the  minerals,  which  became  the 
property  of  the  State  by  the  confiscation  of  the  lands  of  Rob- 
inson and  Morris.  The  case  was  referred  to  Hon.  William  Wood 
who,  in  his  report  as  referee,  sustained  the  claims  of  the  Philipse 
family.  This  was  duly  confirmed  by  the  court  and  no  appeal 
was  ever  taken.  This  mine  and  the  suit  connected  with  it  are 
an  important  point  in  legal  history  as  establishing  the  right  of 
the  descendants  of  Philip  Philipse  to  one  third  of  the  minerals 
throughout  the  entire  countj^ 

Continental  Village. — The  entrance  to  the  Highlands  was 
a  point  of  great  military  importance  during  the  Revolution,  and 
on  the  banks  of  Canopus  Creek,  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
town,  extensive  barracks  were  constructed  by  the  American 
Army  in  1777,  which  would  accommodate  2,000  men.  A  large 
number  of  cattle  and  a  great  amount  of  military  stores  were  col- 
lected there,  and  were  under  the  charge  of  Major  Campbell. 
Redoubts  were  built  for  the  purpose  of  commanding  the  road 
and  protecting  public  property.  On  the  9th  of  October,  1777, 
and  three  days  after  the  caj)ture  of  Forts  Clinton  and  Mont- 
gomery, Gen.  Tryon  was  sent  with  a  body  of  troops  to  destroy 
the  settlement.  The  expedition  was  successful,  and  the  village, 
with  all  the  stores,  was  completely  destroyed.  The  inhabitants 
lied  to' the  hills  and  the  American  troops  retired  to  Fishkill, 
leaving  this  ]Dart  of  the  valley  a  scene  of  desolation.  Shortly 
afterward  Gen.  Parsons  marched  down  from  Fishkill  with  2,000 
men  and  took  possession  of  Peekskill.  No  other  events  of  im- 
portance occurred  here  during  the  Revolution.  It  vras  again 
occupied  as  a  place  for  collecting  stores  for  the  army,  and  the 
barracks  were  to  some  extent  rebuilt.  It  was  from  this  place 
that  the  following  letter  was  sent  to  Matthew  Patterson  : 

"Continental  Village,  Sept.  27th,  1781. 
"Sir, 

"The  necessity  we  are  under  for  pasture  for  the  use  of  the 
army,  obliges  me  to  urge  you  sir  to  use  your  authority  to   pro- 


TOWN    OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  539 

cure  some  forage  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can.  You  will 
not  only  promote  the  common  cause,  but  very  much  oblige 
Gen.  Heath  &  every  officer  in  the  army  whose  horses  are 
almost  starving  for  want  of  short  forage,  the  country  being 
eaten  up  here  about.  We  have  had  no  forage  but  some  long 
forage  which  was  brought  from  below  Croton  some  distance, 
which  was  got  by  the  army  when  at  the  white  plains,  and  that 
not  very  good.  I  therefore  at  the  General's  request  Sir,  desire 
you  to  procure  us  some  short  forage  as  soon  as  possible  and 
to  order  some  pasture  to  be  assessed  as  near  the  S.  W.  part  of 
your  Precinct  as  possible  for  the  use  of  the  fat  cattle,  they  be- 
ing too  great  an  object  for  the  enemy  to  be  trusted  near  Croton 
river.  Tis  well  known  there  is  good  and  plenty  of  it  there- 
abouts. You  will  please  Sir  to  transmit  to  me  as  soon  as  you 
conveniently  can,  an  account  of  the  several  assessments  that 
I  may  give  orders  for  their  being  occupied.  Col.  Hughes  tells 
me  he  has  ordered  his  clerk  to  supply  you  with  a  copy  of  the 
Act,  which  he  tells  is  continued  till  the  end  of  the  war.  Your 
compliance  Sir,  will  not  only  be  of  the  greatest  public  utility, 
but  will  establish  &  confirm  the  good  opinion  the  General  en 
tertains  of  you. 

"I  am  with  all  due  respect  Sir 
"Your  very  humble  Servant 

"W.  Keefe, 
"D.  C.  of  Forage. 
"  Matthew  Paterson  Esq." 

Highland  Chemical  Works. — The  original  of  this  organi- 
zation was  the  "Hudson  Eiver  Copper  Company,"  which  was 
established  in  1863,  and  William  H.  Denning  leased  to  Seth 
Allen  the  use  of  300  acres  of  land  "  on  the  west  side  of  the  road 
to  Peekskill  and  north  of  Westchester  line,  for  getting  miner- 
als of  all  kinds."  This  lease,  which  was  for  ten  years,  he  as- 
signed to  the  Hudson  River  Copper  Company,  and  this  com- 
pany by  William  Kenney,  president,  transferred  it  to  Archibald 
Gracie  King,  December  23d,  1872.  Mariuus  Willet,  Frederick 
K.  Jones,  and  George  Winthrop  Thorne  organized  the  "  High- 
land Chemical  and  Mining  Company"  for  the  "manufacture 
and  sale  of  Sulphuric,  Nitric,  Muriatic  and  other  acids,  Super- 
phosphates and  other  chemical  substances,"  in  1872.  The 
premises  occupied  and  where  the  buildings  are  erected,  are  on 


540  HISTOBY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

the  bank  of  the  Hudson  River,  close  to  the  southwest  corner  of 
Putnam  county.  They  included  Lots  3  and  4  of  the  lands  of 
William  Denning,  as  laid  down  on  the  map  of  Jacob  Lent,  and 
Marinus  Willet  and  his  companions  conveyed  to  the  company 
"  a  piece  of  land,  marsh  and  islands,"  January  3d,  1873. 

This  company  at  first  made  use  of  sulphur  obtained  from  iron 
pyrites  procured  from  mines  on  Anthony's  Nose,  the  right  to 
get  which  was  hired  from  Catharine  and  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt 
March  23d,  1868.  Of  late  years  this  has  been  discontinued,  and 
the  sulphur  now  used  is  imported  from  Italy.  The  buildings 
of  this  company  present  a  very  conspicuous  appearance  on  the 
shores  of  the  river,  and  the  works  give  employmenf  to  a  large 
number  of  hands. 

St.  Philip's  Church  in  the  Highlands. — This  church 
was  originally  a  chapel,  and  was  united  with  St.  Peter"  s  Church 
at  Peekskill,  the  history  of  which  has  been  written  with  care- 
ful minuteness  by  the  lamented  historian,  Bolton.  The  first 
charter  of  this  church  was  granted  August  18th,  1770,  and  the 
first  trustees  were  Beverly  Robinson,  Charles  Moore,  Jeremiah 
Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  Joshua  Nelson,  Thomas  Davenport  and 
Henry  Purdy.  The  church  edifice,  which  is  still  standi  ng,  a 
venerated  relic  of  the  past,  was  built  about  two  miles  north  of 
Peekskill,  on  a  lot  given  for  that  purpose  by  Andrew  Johnston, 
March  23d,  1770.  The  church  itself  is  said  to  have  been  built 
in  1766  "  by  certain  subscriptions  both  in  Cortlandt  Manor  and 
the  lower  end  of  Pilipse  Upper  Patent,"  and  it  was  dedicated 
by  Rev.  John  Ogilvie,  D.  D.,  August  9th,  1767.  A  letter  to 
the  "Venerable  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts,"  October  oth,  1770,  states:  "We  could  not  have 
gone  through  with  our  undertaking  but  for  entering  into  an 
agreement  with  the  people  on  the  lower  end  of  Philipse  Patent, 
that  if  they  would  Join  with  us  in  the  building  of  St.  Peter's 
Church,  and  in  the  subscription  for  the  support  of  the  min- 
istry, that  when  we  obtained  a  missionary  he  should  be  settled 
for  both  places,  so  as  to  make  but  one  congregation  of  the 
whole:  To  preach  every  other  Sunday  at  the  house  of  Jacob 
Mandeville."  "  We  can  assure  the  venerable  Society  that  from 
the  generous  offer  of  Mr.  Beverly  Robinson,  we  have  the  hopes 
of  having  a  very  good  glebe  provided  within  the  year." 

Another  letter  states,   "  that  being  well  satisfied  of  the  char- 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN. 


541 


acter  and  ability  of  Mr.  Joha  Doty,  a  Gentleman  educated  at 
King's  College,  they  have  unanimously  given  him  a  call,  to  re- 
main here  as  their  minister  for  the  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  also 
for  the  neighborhood  of  Jacob  Mandeville,  in  the  lower  end  of 
Philipse  Patent,  where  it  is  intended  to  build  another  church, 
to  be  united  as  one  congregation,  and  they  have  cheerfully  sub- 
scribed to  the  amount  of  £61  15s.  towards  his  support." 

Rev.  John  Doty,  who  thus  became  the  first  rector,  was  the 
son  of  Joseph  Doty,  and  was  born  in  New  York,  about  1750. 
He  entered  King's  College  (now  Columbia)  in  1768,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London,  in  1771.  He  took  charge  of 
this  church  June  8th,  1771,  and  was  admitted  as  rector,  by  Gov- 


ST.    PHILIP'S  CHAPEL. 

Built  about  1770.     Original  in  possession  of  H.  W,  Belcher. 


ernor  Tryon,  on  July  16th  of  the  same  year.  Governor  Tryon 
granted  this  church  a  special  charter,  by  virtue  of  which  the 
vestry  held  a  glebe  farm  of  200  acres  of  land  "  given  by  Beverly 
Robinson,  Senior  Warden,  for  the  use  of  the  Rector  officiating 
one  half  of  the  time  in  the  Highlands." 

Rev.  Mr.  Doty  removed  to  Schenectady,  very  much  to  the 
disapproval  of  the  venerable  Propagation  Society,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Bernard  Page,  in  1775.  He  remained  but  a 
short  time,  and  for  seventeen  years  there  was  no  settled  pastor. 
After  the  Revolution  the  Presbyterian  Society  endeavored  to 
get  possession  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  proceeded  so  far  as  to 
elect  trustees,  but  the  unworthy  attempt  was  frustrated  and 
the  church  was  finally  incorporated   under  the  former   name. 


542  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

April  5th,  1750,  William  Denning,  Caleb  Ward,  Charles  Wor- 
den,  Joshua  Nelson,  Richard  Arnold,  Caleb  Myers,  James 
Dusenbury  and  Silvanus  Haiglit,  were  chosen  vestrymen  for  St. 
Philip's  Chapel  in  the  Highlands,  and  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  on 
November  24th,  1791,  they  agreed  to  pay  the  sum  of  £20  to  the 
support  of  David  Samson  ''to  read  service  in  St.  Peter's  Church 
at  Peekskill,  and  at  St.  Philip's  Chapel  in  the  Highlands,  until 
the  first  of  April  next,  and  it  is  further  agreed  that  Justus  Nel- 
son and  Silvanus  Haight  furnish  him  with  necessarys  agreeable 
to  a  person  of  his  station,  during  the  term."  Rev.  Andrew 
Fowler  became  rector  in  1792,  and  William  Denning  as  vestry- 
man, certified  that  "possession  had  been  obtained  of  the  par- 
sonage house  and  glebe  belonging  to  the  Church  of  St.  Peter's 
and  St.  Philip's,  at  the  Highlands,"  and  in  1794,  thanks  were 
given  to  Hon.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  for  his  efforts  in  the  Leg- 
islature, to  obtain  for  the  church  the  title  to  the  glebe. 

Rev.  Mr.  Fowler  resigned  in  1794  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Hartwell,  who  remained  till  1798.  The  next  pastor  was 
Rev.  Joseph  Warren,  who  remained  from  1806  to  1814.  After 
this  Rev.  Adam  Empil,  chaplain  at  West  Point,  officiated  for  a 
few  Sabbaths  and  administered  the  communion  "  of  which  they 
had  been  for  two  years  deprived." 

Rev.  Petrus  S.  Ten  Broeck,  was  rector  in  1817;  Edward  J. 
Ives  in  1826;  James  Sunderland,  1832;  William  C.  Cooley,  1838. 

At  the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  this  church,  in  1840,  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Williams  was  officiating  minister.  It  appears  that  the 
glebe  or  parsonage  farm  mentioned  above  was  not  formally 
given  by  deed  to  the  church  by  Beverly  Robinson,  although  the 
church  had  possession  of  it.  After  the  Revolution  this  farm 
was,  like  the  rest  of  the  land  of  Colonel  Robinson,  confiscated, 
but  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature,  the  commissioners  of  forfeit- 
ures were  inhibited  from  selling  the  same.  The  farm  had  form- 
erly been  in  the  possession  of  one  Ebenezer  Jones.  Beverly 
Robinson  and  his  wife  "  tendered  to  convey"  the  farm  to  the 
church,  in  1772,  and  in  consequence  the  wardens  and  vestry 
purchased  the  improvements  of  Mr.  Jones,  and  built  a  house 
which  was  called  the  "Yellow  House,"  and  remained  in  posses- 
sion "until  the  service  of  the  country  demanded  them  to  yield 
the  same  for  public  use."  By  an  Act  passed  March  27th,  1794, 
all  the  title  of  the  State  to  the  farm  and  parsonage  was  given  to 
the  trustees  of  the  "United  Protestant  Churches,  of  St.  Peter's 


TOWlSr   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  543 

Church,  in  the  town  of  Cortlandt,  in  Westchester  County,  and  St. 
.Philip's  Chapel,  in  Philipstown,  and  their  successors  forever, 
in  trust  for  the  use  of  said  congregation."  The  farm  was  some- 
times rented  as  in  1803,  when  Mr.  James  Mandeville  paid  to 
the  wardens  for  one  year's  use  of  the  parsonage  farm,  the  sum 
of  £35. 

The  two.  congregations  continued  united  till  April  18th,  1840, 
when  an  Act  was  passed  for  the  "  Relief  of  St.  Peter's  Church 
and  St.  Philip's  Chapel."  This  provided  that  the  two  churches 
should  be  duly  incorporated,  and  that  the  real  estate  of  the 
former  should  be  divided  equitably  between  the  two.  Accord- 
ingly the  "St.  Philip's  Church  in  the  Highlands"  was  incor- 
porated July  1st,  1840,  by  electing  Samuel  Gouverneur  and  Harry 
Garrison,  wardens;  and  Daniel  Haight,  Frederick  Philipse,  John 
Garrison,  Henry  C.  De  Rham,  Richard  D.  Arden,  Cornelius  Nel- 
son, Justus  Nelson,  2d,  and  Joshua  Nelson,  vestrymen. 

The  glebe  farm  remained  in  possession  of  the  two  churches 
till  April  1st,  1839,  when  the  old  corporation  sold  it  to  David 
McCoy.  The  farm  is  described  as  "bounded  North  by  land 
now  or  formerly  of  Isaac  Lent  and  James  Mowatt,  on  the  East 
by  land  now  or  formerly  of  Isaac  Lent,  on  the  South  by  the 
Putnam  County  line,  until  it  comes  to  the  lands,  of  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  West  by  lands  now  or  formerly  of  James  Mowatt 
and  James  Croft,  Containing  about  200  acres."  The  price  was 
$5,000.  The  farm  still  remains  in  possession  of  the  heirs  of 
Mr.  McCoy.  It  is  situated  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  town, 
and  the  narrow  gauge  railroad  to  the  Croft  Mine  runs  through 
it,  the  right  of  way  having  been  sold  by  the  heirs  at  law  of 
David  McCoy  to  Edward  E.  Flint,  June  19th,  1878. 

Names  of  officiating  clergymen  of  St.  Philip's  Church  in  the 
Highlands  from  1840:  Rev.  Ebenezer  Williams,  1840  to  1843; 
Robert  Shaw,  1843  to  1850;  David  E.  Barr,  1852  to  1853. 

Rectors:  Rev.  Edward  M.  Pecke,  1854  to  1857;  Joel  Clapp, 
1857  to  1860;  Chas.  P.  Hoffman,  1860  to  1873;  Albert  Zabriskie 
Gray,  1874  to  1882;  Walter  Thompson,  1883. 

Names  of  wardens  and  vestrymen  by  decades:  1840 — Samuel 
Gouverneur,  Harry  Garrison,  wardens;  Daniel  Haight,  Fred- 
erick Philipse,  John  Garrison,  Henry  C.  DeRham,  Richard  D. 
Arden,  Cornelius  Nelson,  Justus  Nelson,  2d,  Joshua  Nelson, 
vestrymen;  1850— John  Garrison,  Frederick  Philipse,  wardens; 
Richard  D.    Arden,   Samuel  M.   W.    Gouverneur,  Christopher 


544  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Haight,  Adolplius  Gouvernear,  Henry  W.  Belcher,  Harvey- 
Mead,  John  Hopper,  Cornelius  Nelson,  vestrymen.  1860 — 
John  Garrison,  Frederick  Philii)se,  wardens;  William' 
Moore,  Henry  W.  Belcher,  Richard  Upjohn,  Geo.  F.  Gar- 
rison, John  Hopper,  vestrymen;  1870 — Frederick  Philipse, 
Henry  W.  Belcher,  virardens;  William  Moore,  Richard  Upjohn, 
Samuel  M.  W.  Gouverneur,  Hamilton  Fish,  Henry  C.  DeRham, 
Nathaniel  F.  Moore,  James  F.  Hall,  Thomas  H.  Austin,  vestry- 
men. 1880 — William  Moore,  Hamilton  Fish,  wrardens;  Henry 
W.  Belcher,  Thomas  H.  Austin,  Charles  DeRham,  Samuel  Sloan, 
William  S.  Livingston,  Thomas  B.  Arden,  F.  A.  Livingston, 
Hamilton  Fish,  jr.,  vestrymen. 

Dates  from  tomb  stones  in  St.  Philipse  Church  yard:  Han- 
nah, wife  of  Jacob  Nelson,  died  Feb.  16th,  1795,  age  34; 
Sally,  wife  of  Underhill  Rudd,  March  9th,  1804,  31;  Donald 
McOwen,  Jan.  15th,  1802,  34;  Justus  Nelson,  born  March  17th, 
1780,  died  Dec.  17th,  1851,  aged  71;  Laetitia,  wife,  Jan.  23d, 
1868,  80;  John  Griffin,  Sept.  4th,  1877,  82;  Effie,  wife,  March  , 
1st,  1862,  69;  Catharine,  wife  of  Joseph  Haight,  Nov.  12th, 
1868,  84;  David  Jenkins,  Jan.  26th,  1862,  77;  Morris  Nelson, 
Sept.  16th,  1858,  67;  Capt.  John  Warren,  Sept.  1st,  1837,  72; 
Sarah,  wife,  Nov.  2d,  1833,  67;  Stephen  Nelson,  Feb.  1st,  1835, 
64;  Mephiboseth  Nelson,  March  29th,  1830,  54;  Elizabeth,  wife, 
April  5th,  1828,  50;  Christopher  Haight,  Sept.  1st,  1854,  78; 
Catharine,  wife  of  Peter  Warren,  Nov.  12th,  1815,  42;  Justus 
Warren,  May  1st,  1821,  31;  Sylvenus  Nelson,  July  11th,  1793, 
24;  Justus  Nelson,  Feb.  21st,  1803,  65;  Phebe,  wife,  Jan.  24th, 
1812,  75;  Daniel  Haight,  Sept.  4th,  1812,  88;  Martha,  wife,  April 
Ist,  1822;  Christopher  Fowler,  born  July  22d,  1718,  died  March 
25th,  1809,  90;  Joseph  Haight,  June  25th,  1829,  50;  Jacob  Nel- 
son, April  14th,  1812,  61;  Joshua  Nelson,  born  Sept.  18th,  1726. 
died  Dec.  14th,  1817,  91;  Sarah,  wife,  Aug.  16th,  1823,  86;  Harry 
Garrison,  Aug.  6th,  1845,  80;  Jane,  wife,  Feb.  12th,  1828,  58; 
John  Garrison.  Nov.  3d,  1867,  72;  Martha,  wife,  1800,  68;  Rich- 
ard Dean  Arden,  born  Sept.  12th,  1777,  died  July  17th,  1865, 
88;  Jane  Depeyster,  wife,  born  Sept.  3d,  1784,  died  July  4th, 
1859,  76;  Richard  Hopper,  born  April  16th,  1777,  died  Oct.  13th, 
1854,  77;  Sarah,  wife  of  Bryon  Rositer,  Sept.  21.st,,1843,  82; 
John  Cronck,  March  30th,  1843,  63;  Anna,  wife  of  John  Lan- 
caster, April  16th,  1799,  42;  Dr.  Walter  Watson,^  March  17th, 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  545 

1848,  68;  John  Watson,  May  31st,  1812,  40;  Eobert  Allen,  Nov. 
29th,  1805,  43;  Jacob  Jenkins,  a  worthy  of  the  Revolution,  June 
23d,  1827,  69;  Elizabeth,  wife,  March  Uth,  1848,  88. 

"  In  nieraory  of  Mary  Rainsford,  wife  of  J.  Mills  Brown,  born 
21st  Feb.  1779,  at  Dunhalm,  upon  Trent,  England,  died  14th 
Aug.  1849.  There's  nothing  left  to  care  for  now  since  my  poor 
Mary  died,  thou  single  hearted  yet  firm  purposed  creature." 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Chukch,  at  Garrison's,  was 
organized  in  1851,  the  trustees  being  Peter  Fisher,  George  Coat,  _ 
John  Bailey,  William  Collins  and  John  Knowls.  The  church 
lot  was  sold  to  the  trustees  by  John  Bailey,  Ajjril  12th,  1861, 
"  a  lot  on  east  side  of  highway  52  feet  square,  for  the  purpose 
of  building  a  meeting  house." 

The  church  was  struck  by  lightning,  and  greatly  damaged 
August  26th,  1872. 

Philipse  Lot  No.  2. — The  central  part  of  Philipstown  con- 
sists of  Lot  No.  2  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  and  fell  to  Philip 
Philipse,  in  the  partition  and  division  in  1754.  The  next  in- 
formation we  have  concerning  this  tract,  is  its  survey  and 
division  into  eight  lots,  and  a  map  made  of  them  by  David 
Lambert,  the  surveyor,  in  1769.  The  original  map  is  now  among 
the  Philipse  papers.  The  owners  of  the  lots  are  mentioned  by 
their  last  name,  except  the  Davenports.  Their  full  names  were 
probably:  Lot  1,  Eli  or  Justus  Nelson;  2,  John  Eldridge;  3, 
Thomas  Davenport;  4,  William  Davenport;  5,  John  Rogers;  6, 
Thomas  Sarles;  7,  Elijah  Budd;  8,  Joshua  Lamoreaux. 

The  names  of  the  early  settlers  on  this  tract  are  only  to  be 
learned  from  mention  made  in  various  records  such  as  surveys 
of  highways  and  minutes  of  town  meetings.  The  earliest 
names  found  are  in  the  survey  of  highways  in  1745:  Eli  Nelson, 
Francis  Nelson,  David  Hustis,  Nathan  Lane,  Sibert  Cronkhyt, 
Joseph  Jaycox,  Joseph  Aries,  Joseph  Cronkhyt,  Thomas 
Davenport,  William  Davenport. 

The  proximity  of  this  region  to  the  Hudson  River  rendered  it 
far  more  easy  of  access  than  the  central  portion  of  the  patent, 
and  the  fertile  portions  were  soon  settled  by  men  who  held  farms 
as  tenants  of  Philip  Philipse  and  afterward  of  his  children. 
The  following  list  includes  the  persons  whose  names  appear  on 
the  town  records  between  1772  and  1782,  and  includes  the  people 
living  in  Putnam  Valley,  which  was  then  a  portion  of  Philips- 
35 


646  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

town:  Beverly  Kobinson,  Jolin  Crompton,  Joseph  Lane,  Caleb 
Nelson,  William  Dusenbury,  Israel  Taylor,  Isaac  Davenport, 
Justus  Nelson,  Cornelius  Tompkins,  John  Likely,  Elijah  Budd, 
Isaac  Khodes,  Isaac  Horton,  Joseph  Haight,  Jacob  Mandeville, 
Thomas  Davenport,  John  Jones,  James  Lamoreaux,  Moses 
Dusenbury,  William  White,  John  Winn,  Reuben  Drake,  John 
Meeks,  Samuel  Warren,  John  Nelson,  Uriah  Drake,  John 
Armstrong,  John  Cavery,  Edward  Weeks,  Anthony  Field, 
.Cornelius  Gea,  Joseph  Knapp,  Peter  Bell,  Nathaniel  Jagger, 
Stephen  Lawrence,  Jedediah  Frost,  Peter  Dubois,  Joshua  Nel- 
son, Peter  Snouck,  Joseph  Husted,  John  Avery,  Thomas  Bass- 
ford,  Sylvanus  Haight,  Benjamin  Rogers,  Stephen  Conklin, 
Daniel  Bugbee,  Daniel  Willsie,  John  Sherwood,  Reuben  Tomp- 
kins, Stephen  Davenport,  John  Van  Amburg,  Ezekiel  Gee, 
Samuel  Jenkins,  Jacob  Read,  Isaac  Odell,  Capt.  Israel  Knapp, 
John  Haight,  Hendrick  Riers,  Amos  Odell,  Jacob  Armstrong, 
William  Christian,  Oliver  Odell,  Aaron  Odell,  Henry  Elton, 
Robert  Oakley,  Thomas  Smith,  Joseph  ilrles,  William  Wright, 
Christopher  Fowler.  Jonathan  Ones,  Gabriel  Archer,  Sylvanus 
Lockwood,  Abraham  Garrison,  Joshua  Mead,  Hendrick  Post, 
Absalom  Nelson,  Peter  Ryall,  William  White,  Capt.  George 
Lane,  Peter  Likely,  Gilbert  Budd,  James  Jaycox,  Henry  Wilt- 
see,  Peter  Drake,  Matthew  McCabe, Cornelius  Tompkins, Daniel 
Buckbee,  Comfort  Chadwick, Thomas  Lewis,  Nathan  Lane,  Moses 
Dusenbury,  jr.,  Joseph  Garrison,  Peter  Warren,  Peter  Kelly, 
John  Yeoman,  Abraham  Croft,  Abraham  Marling,  Joseph  Bare, 
Elisha  Budd,  Titus  Travis,  Gilbert  Oakley,  John  Drake,  John 
Edgar,  Philip  Steinbeck,  John  Knapp,  Isaac  Jaycox,  Richard 
Denny,  Isaac  Garrison,  David  Henion,  Isaac  Danforth,  Thomas 
AVilliams,  John  Christian,  Jesse  Owen,  William  Dusenbury, 
Solomon  Smith,  Thomas  Bryant,  Joshua  Tompkins,  Charles 
Christian,  Jonathan  Miller,  James  Penney,  Nathaniel  Tomp- 
kins, Col.  Samuel  Drake. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  in  this  town  was  David  Hustis, 
who  came  from  England  and  settled  in  the  north  part  of  the 
town,  near  the  North  Highland  Church.  Here  he  settled,  with 
the  Indians  around  him,  and  from  them  he  procured  the  corn 
which  he  planted.  He  was  one  of  the  commissioners  appointed 
to  lay  out  highways  in  1745.  His  descendants  continue  to  live 
on  the  place,  down  to  modern  times. 


TOWN   OP   PHILIPSTOWN.  547 

John  Rogers  made  a  settlement  about  1730,  on  the  old  Post 
road,  near  the  south  part  of  Lot  2.  At  that  time  there  was  only 
this  road  laid  out  and  defined,  within  the  limits  of  what  is  now 
Putnam  county.  Having  built  a  log  house  large  enough  for  a 
country  tavern,  he  was  always  sure  of  guests,  for  if  a  traveller 
reached  the  house  in  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  he  was  com- 
pelled to  stay,  as  the  distance  to  the  next  stopping  place  was 
many  miles  through  a  dense  wilderness. 

Another  early  settler  was  Thomas  Sarles,  whose  lot  appears 
on  the  map.  His  house  was  north  of  the  mills  now  owned  by 
James  Nelson,  near  the  junction  of  the  Post  road  and  the  High- 
land Turnpike.  Some  distance  north  of  this  was  the  house  of 
Elijah  Budd.  This  was  on  what  is  called  the  Andrew  Hill  farm, 
about  a  mile  south  of  the  junction  of  the  Post  road  and  the 
Philipstown  Turnpike,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Post  road.  Gril- 
bert  Budd  lived  at  what  is  called  Mekeel's  Corners,  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Post  road  and  Philipstown  Turnpike. 

The  Lamoreaux  were  a  French  family,  and  were  settled  on 
the  Post  road  still  farther  north,  their  tract  embracing  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  lot. 

The  town  records  of  Philipstown,  or  rather  of  Philipse  Pre- 
cinct, begin  in  1772,  and  are  contained  in  a  paper  covered  book 
out  of  which  a  large  gap  has  been  eaten  by  the  mice.  From 
these  records  we  transcribe  the  following: 

"  At  a  town  meeting  in  Philipse  Precinct,  in  Dutchess  County, 
on  the  oth  day  of  April,  1772. 

"John  Crompton,  Clerk. 

"Beverly  Robinson,  Supervisor. 

"  Joseph  Lane  and  Caleb  Nelson,  Assessors. 

"  William  Dusenbury,  Collector. 

"  Israel  Taylor  and  Isaac  Davenport,  Constables. 

"  Justus  Nelson  and  Cornelius  Tompkins,  Poor  masters. 

"  Cornelius  Tompkins,  Pound  master  for  Peekskill  Hollow. 

"  John  Likely,  Pound  master  for  Canopus  Hollow. 

"Elijah  Budd,  Pound  master  on  the  Post  road. 

"  Caleb  Nelson,  Pound  master  on  the  river. 

"  Isaac  Rhodes  and  Moses  Dusenbury,  fence  viewers. 

"Isaac  Horton  and  John  Jones,  fence  viewers. 

"  Joseph  Haight  and  James  Lamoreaux,  fence  viewers. 

"Jacob  Mandeville  and  Thos.  Davenport,  fence  viewers. 

"  Isaac  Rhodes  Highway  master  for  ye  road  from  Fredericks- 


548  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

burg  Precinct  to  the  bridge  over  Peekskill  river,  near  Lewis 
Jones. 

"  Wm.  White  Highway  master  for  the  road  from  Wm.  Du- 
senbury's,  up  Peekskill  Hollow,  to  the  bridge  near  Lewis 
Jones,  which  bridge  he  is  to  make  with  his  hands  and  to  con- 
tinue up  the  Hollow  to  the  line  of  Fredericksburg  Precinct. 

"John  Winn,  Highway  master  for  the  road  from  the  Cold 
Spring,  along  Wicopee  road  to  the  line  of  Rumbout's  Precinct, 
all  the  people  living  north  of  said  Spring  to  belong  to  his  com- 
pany. 

"  Reuben  Drake  Highwaymaster  from  Drake's  mills  up  Can- 
opus  Hollow  to  the  Post  road. 

"  John  Meeks  Highway  master  on  the  Post  road  from  West- 
chester line  to  Joseph  Bards. 

"  Elijah  Budd  Highwaymaster  on  ye  Post  road  from  Thomas 
Sarles  to  Rumbout  Precinct. 

"Jacob  Mandeville  Highway  master  from  the  Post  road  near 
widow  Aries  through  the  Highlands  to  sd.  Mandeville' s  house, 
from  thence  to  Caleb  Nelson's,  and  from  thence  to  Christopher 
Fowler's  and  from  thence  to  the  first  mentioned  road. 

"  John  Nelson  Highwaymaster  from  Mr.  Robinson's  mills,  to 
his  father's  from  thence  to  Thomas  Williamson's,  and  from 
thence  to  Mr.  Robinson's  house. 

"  Tho.  Davenport  Highway  master  from  Caleb  Nelson's  to  his 
house  and  from  thence  through  the  woods  to  the  Post  road 
near  Elijah  Budd's. 

"  N.  B.     all  the  foregoing  persons  were  chosen  unanimously 
except  Cornelius  Tompkins  Poor  master,  who  was  opposed  by 
Uriah   Drake,   who   demanded  a  poll   at   the  close  of    which 
Cornelius  Tompkins  had  47  votes. 
Uriah  Drake  35     do 

12  difference 
upon  which  Cor's  Tompkins  was  declared  poor  master." 

The  following  is  a  reminder  of  the  times  when  cattle  ran  at 
large,  and  each  owner  had  his  "  ear  mark"  : 

"April  25th,  1772  John  Armstong  his  mark  a  crop  of  the 
Right  ear." 

"May  11th,  John  Cavery  desires  his  mark  to  bee  entered  in 
this  book  which  I  have.     Which  is  a  crop  of  the  neer  ear,  and 


TOWN   OFPHILIPSTOWN.  549 

a  slit  in  the  same  and  the  off  ear  a  hole  and  a  half  penney  and 
the  half  penney  on  the  under  side." 

"  Sibit  Cronkit  junior  desires  his  mark  to  be  entered  in  this 
book  which  I  have,  which  is  two  nicks  in  the  neer  ear,  one  on 
each  side,  and  the  off  ear  a  slit  and  a  half  penney  upon  the 
under  side." 

For  the  benefit  of  those  to  whom  the  above  terms  may  be 
devoid  of  meaning,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  "near  ear"  is 
the  left  one,  "a  crop"  is  a  piece  cut  off  the  end  of  the  ear, 
while  a  "half  penny  "  is  a  small  semi-circle  cut  out  of  the  ear. 

"Uriah  Drake  to  be  Highway  master  of  the  same  district  as 
last  year,  also  to  work  the  new  road  laid  out  from  Moses  Du- 
senbury's  to  John  Meek' s  through  Sibit  Cronkhits  Reuben  Drake 
Jonathan  Owen  and  Peter  Rickeys  farms  as  far  westward  as 
Sibit  Cronkhits  farm  goes  and  to  have  Peter  Barger  and  widow 
Barger  added  to  his  company." 

"  Samuel  Jenkins  Highway  master  on  ye  new  road  laid  out 
from  the  Cold  Spring  road  to  said  Jenkins  then  to  Samuel  Yeo- 
man's from  thence  to  Rumbout  Precinct  and  said  Jenkins, 
Samuel  Yeomans,  John  Yeomans  and  Peter  Ryal  to  be  teken 
off  from  John  Winn's  company." 

"  John  Steward  Highway  master  from  Drake's  mills  to  the 
cross  road  leading  from  Reuben  Drakes  to  Peter  Rickeys. 
Reuben  Drake  Highway  master  for  said  cross  road  up  Canopus 
Hollow  to  the  Post  road,  and  also  the  said  cross  road  from  said 
Reuben  Drake's  to  the  bridge  by  Peter  Rickeys." 

"  Nov.  29  in  the  year  1784.  We  laid  out  a  road  from  Joshua 
Mead's  beginning  at  the  Post  road  running  eastward  to  a  chest- 
nut stump  and  thence  to  a  walnut  and  a  butternut  and  to 
Morris  Smith's  farm  crossing  the  east  end  of  said  Smith's  farm 
thence  to  John  Healy's  farm  then  going  across  his  farm  to 
Daniel  Hinnion's  farm  and  then  to  John  Budd's  house,  then  to 
James  Lanton's,  then  to  Lazarus  Light's,  then  going  to  Wicopee 

road. 

"  Elijah  Budd, 

"  Hendeick  Post." 
"In  complyance  with  an  Act  of  the  Colony  of  New  York,  In- 
titled  'An  Act  for  Highways,'   passed  the  27th  day  of  Nov.  I 
now  inform  you  that  on  the  came  to  my  house  three 

stray  cattle,  viz.:  one  a  reddish  brown  with  a  white  belly,  his 
tail  white  better  than  half  way  up,  legs  on  ye  near  side  white  & 


o50  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTT. 

a  star  in  his  forehead  and  also  a  small  bell.  One  a  black  steer 
a  little  brown  on  his  back  &  a  mealy  nose.  The  third  a  heifer 
■with  a  white  belly,  her  tail  white  half  way  up,  her  legs  white 
at  her  knees,  fore  feet  white  to  fetlock  joints  and  one  of  them 
a  little  above  the  joint,  a  white  forehead  and  a  white  star  under 
her  throat.  They  all  appear  to  be  two  years  old  last  spring  and 
were  all  marked  with  a  crop  on  the  oflf  ear.  I  desire  the  above 
description  of  these  cattle  may  be  entered  at  large  on  the  Town 
Books  agreeable  to  the  direction  of  the  above  noticed  Act  of 
Assembly  also  my  place  of  abode. 

"  Bev.  Robinson. 
"  Highlands  1774. 

"  Moses  Ddsenburt  Town  Clerk." 

The  above  has  a  certain  interest  as  it  is  the  last  time  that  the 
name  of  Beverly  Robinson  occurs  in  the  records  of  the  town 
where  he  had  been  the  ruling  man  for  so  many  years. 

"  May  10th,  1784,  then  we  the  Commissioners  laid  out  a  road 
from  Caleb  Nelson's  to  his  landing,  Beginning  at  his  house 
keeping  as  near  the  South  of  the  brook  as  near  the  brook  as 
convenient  as  can  for  us. 

"  Elijah  Budb, 
"  Hendrick  Post. 
"  Isaac  Rhodes." 

Town  meetings  in  the  early  days  were  held  at  the  houses  of 
John  Likely  and  Cyrus  Horton,  in  Canopus  Hollow,  which  were 
central  places  before  the  town  of  Putnam  Valley  was  set  ofif. 

Lot  No.  2,  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  was  again  surveyed  and 
divided  in  1802,  by  Henry  Livingston  of  Poughkeepsie,  the 
owners  at  the  time  being  Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie,  Frederick 
Philipse,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Gouverneur,  wife  of  Samuel  Gouver- 
neur,  and  daughter  of  Frederick  Philipse. 

Mr.  Livingston,  in  his  field  book,  states  that  he  "was  assisted 
for  the  greater  part  of  the  time  by  Amos  Beldon,  Esq.,  the 
agent  of  the  aforesaid  proprietors,  and  by  chainbearers  diligent 
and  faithful." 

The  south  line  is  described  as  beginning  at  a  monument  of 
stones  distant  40  links  from  high  water  mark,  on  Hudson's 
River  "  from  which  monument  a  course  N.  67°  W.  strikes  about 
25  links  north  of  the  northermost  bastion  of  Port  Putnam,  and 
from  high  water  mark  (crossing  the  said  monument)  S.  67°  21' 
E.  along  the  line  of  Lot  No.  1  86  chains  37  links  to  a  monument 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  .'JSl 

of  stones  erected  on  the  summit  of  Redonbt  Hill  about  fifty 
yards  south  of  the  south  side  of  the  old  north  redoubt.  Thence 
along  the  same  lot  N.  72°  11'  E.  at  20  chains  at  the  fence  on 
the  north  side  of  the  ferry  road.  At  103  chains  80  links  about 
1  chain  south  of  the  remains  of  a  saw  mill  formerly  belonging 
to  Benjamin  Rogers.  At  105  chains  80  links  about  1  chain 
south  of  the  remains  of  a  saw  mill  formerly  belonging  to 
Benjamin  Rogers.  At  130  chains  25  links  in  the  middle  of 
the  Post  road.  At  155  chains  50  links  in  the  middle  of  a  road 
leading  from  Canopus  or  its  vicinity  to  the  Post  road  near  R. 
Hopper's:  in  all  177  chains  to  the  north  east  angle  of  Lot  No. 
1,  and  joining  the  west  side  of  long  Lot  No.  4  where  now 
grows  a  chestnut  sapling,  on  which  are  engraved  the  letters 
P.  R.  1758.  This  sapling  grows  from  a  stump  joining  which  a 
chestnut  tree  is  now  lying  on  the  trunk  of  which  is  plainly  dis- 
cernible the  letters  P.  R.  Thence  along  the  west  side  of  Lot  No. 4 
N.  7°  35'  E.  (at  263  chains,  the  south  branch  of  the  Clove  Creek 
here  called  Barlow  brook  and  at  298  chains  the  north  branch  of 
said  Clove  Creek')  in  all  382  chains  66  links  to  a  walnut  tree 
with  stones  heaped  around  it  about  3  chains  west  of  tlie 
dwelling  house  of  Abraham  Ireland,  and  about  1  chain  25 
links  north  of  a  road  leading  to  the  Post  road.  This  monument 
is  the  south  east  angle  of  Lot  No.  3. 

"Then  along  the  south  side  of  said  lot  No.  3  S.  74°  22'  W. 
at  14  chains,  50  links  9  yards  north  of  the  dwelling  house  of 
John  Barton  at  73  chains  50  links  at  Helys  brook;  at  157  chains 
33  links  in  the  middle  of  the  Post  road;  at  222  chains  70  links  in 
Margaret  brook,  a  saw  mill  near  to  the  north  east;  and  at  274 
chains  15  links  on  the  tup  of  the  eastern  summit  which  consti- 
tutes Bull  Hill.  In  all  391  chains  and  60  links  to  the  high  water 
mark  of  Hudson's  river  at  a  hemlock  tree  in  a  gully  between 
Break  neck  Hill  and  Bull  Hill.  Then  down  the  river  including 
Martelaers  Rock  to  beginning,  Containing  9164  acres  and  27 
perches  of  land  exclusive  of  Martelaer's  Rock  and  any  part  of 
the  marshes." 

The  whole  tract  was  divided  into  50  lots,  which  were  in  pos- 

'This  place,  where  the  east  line  of  the  lot  crosses  the  south  brauch  of  Clove 
Creek,  is  a  few  rods  north  of  the  Philipstown  turnpike  and  about  20  rods  west  of 
the  house  and  shop  of  Richard  Denny.  A  small  bridge  over  the  creek  is  the  ex- 
act point.  A  rock  marked  P.  (marked  thus  by  Capt.  Frederick  Philipse  many 
years  ago)  supports  one  end  of  the  bridge. 


552  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

session  of  the  following  persons,  at  that  time,  as  lessees  of  the 
Philipse  family: 

No.  1,  Wni.  Barber,  242  acres;  2,  Daniel  Haight,  81;  3,  Ed- 
ward Meeks,  35;  4,  Josiah  Mekeil,  202;  5,  Samuel  Cole  and  John 
Griffen,  16;  6,  Charles  Hill,  44;  7,  John  H.  Gannung,  50;  8, 
Sylvanus  Wood,  71;  9,  Samuel  Cole  and  John  Griflfen,  151;  10, 
Abraham  Garrison,  154;  11,  Justus  Nelson,  384;  12,  Joseph 
Garrison,  131;  13,  Isaac  Mead,  303;  14,  Joseph  Ferris,  120;  15, 
Peter  Warren,  294;  16,  John  Warren,  85;  17,  Thomas  Sarles, 
136;  18,  John  W^arren,  411;  19,  Daniel  Ferris,  250;  20,  Beverly 
Warren,  123;  21,  Tho.  McKeil,  15;  22,  John  La  Count  &  Caleb 
Ferris,  218;  23,  Tho.  &  John  Sawyer,  88:  24,  Peter  &  Wm.  Sine, 
173;  25,  Absalom  Early,  197;  26,  Joshua  Purdy,  125;  27,  Kichard 
Denny,  505;  28,  vacant  lot,  122;  29,  Samuel  Purdy,  164;  30, 
Elijah  Budd,  213;  31,  Wm.  Lovelace,  401;  32,  Matthew  Snook, 
147;  33,  Isaac  Davenport,  903;  35,  Mary  Davenport,  widow  of 
Stephen  Davenport,  509;  35,  Tho.  Sutton,  9;  36,  Tho.  Sutton, 
homestead,  502;  37,  Benj.  Odell,  90;  38,  Jonathan  Odell,  102; 
39,  Tho.  Mekeil,  93;  40,  Uriah  Mekeil,  80;  41,  Joshua  Mead, 
310;  42,  James  Nelson,  190;  43,  Richard  Smith,  82;  44,  Wm. 
Bashford,  22;  45,  Wm.  Saurin,  51;  46,  John  Crosier,  182;  47, 
Moses  Downing,  152;  48,  Tho.  Henyon,  150;  49,  John  Barton, 
174;  50,  Martelaer's  Rock  or  Constitution  Island,  and  "may 
contain  240  acres,  but  I  did  not  survey  it." 

The  south  line  of  this  lot  has  been  described  in  previous  pages 
and  the  landmarks  mentioned  above  are  readily  recognized. 
This  line  commences  on  the  river  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
north  of  the  ferry  at  Garrison's.  A  continuous  line  of  stone 
wall  marks  its  course  and  runs  about  30  rods  north  of  St. 
Philip's  Church,  and  is  the  south  line  of  the  school  house  lot 
farther  east.  The  angle  in  the  line  is  at  the  top  of  the  mountain. 
The  line  crosses  the  post  road  and  forms  a  north  boundary  of  the 
farm  of  John  Travis,  on  both  sides  of  this  road,  and  east  to  the 
corner  of  the  lot.  The  "  chestnut  sapling"  is  now  grown  to  be 
a  large  tree.  The  east  line  of  the  lot  is  the  town  line  between 
Philipstown  and  Putnam  A^'alley.  The  house  of  Abraham 
Ireland  stood  very  near  where  the  house  of  Elizabeth  Hawkes 
now  stands.  Abraham  Ireland  died  about  1845  at  the  age  of  80. 
He  left  the  place  to  his  son  Thomas,  who  sold  it  to  James 
Townsend.  It  was  sold  by  E.  Piatt  Johnston,  referee,  on  fore- 
closure of  mortgage,  to  George  Speedling  and  John  Denny  in 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  553 

1875,  and  it  was  transferred  to  Susan  Denny  in  1878.  It  was 
left  by  her  to  her  mother,  Mary  A.  Hawkes,  and  she  is  its 
present  owner. 

The  house  of  John  Barton  was  where  the  house  of  Robert 
Stephens  now  is. 

The  ''  wallnut  tree  with  stones  heaped  around,"  which  is  the 
northeast  corner  of  this  lot,  stands  by  the  side  of  the  road 
which  runs  north  from  the  road  which  goes  past  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Hawkes.  Very  near  this  tree  and  on  the  west  side  of  the 
road  is  a  small  rock  which  was  shattered  by  lightning  not  long 
since. 

Running  west  the  north  line  of  this  lot  crosses  the  Post  road 
a  few  rods  south  of  the  house  of  Samuel  Barrett,  and  it  forms 
the  boundary  between  his  land  and  that  of  John  Wallace  to  the 
south.  Next  to  Hudson  River  the  line  forms  the  south  bound- 
ary of  the  farm  of  James  Bailey,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  north 
of  Cold  Spring. 

After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie,  in  1807,  the  whole 
of  this  lot  became  the  property  of  her  son,  Frederick  Philipse, 
and  his  daughter,  Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Grouverneur.  Their  son, 
Frederick  P.  Gouverneur,  assumed  the  name  of  Frederick 
Philipse,  by  authority  of  an  Act  of  Legislature,  April  7th,  1830. 
A  deed  of  conveyance,  dated  December  31st,  1830,  states  that 
"  whereas  Frederick  Philipse  late  of  Philipstown,  on  divers  oc- 
casions expressed  his  will  and  intention  to  bequeath  to  Fred- 
erick P.  Gouverneur  the  following  land,"  in  accordance  with 
this  Samuel  Gouverneur  and  wife  conveyed  to  him  a  tract  of  350 
acres  "  Beginning  at  a  rock  with  a  birch  and  hemlock  tree  grow- 
ing on  it,  on  the  shore  of  Hudson's  river,  about  4  chains  35 
links  from  Coney's  Point,  and  south  of  the  land  of  Cornelius 
ISTelson,  and  running  by  several  courses  to  the  ferry  road,  then 
up  the  road  as  it  runs  south  east  to  the  division  line  between 
Philipse  and  Robinson  water  lots,  then  along  said  line  S.  72^° 
W.  20  chains  to  the  top  of  the  mountain,  thence  N.  67^"  W.  86 
chains  37  links  to  the  river  and  along  the  same  to  the  place  of 
begiuning." 

From  time  to  time  various  tracts  and  farms  were  sold  by 
Frederick  Philipse  and  Samuel  and  Mary  Gouverneur,  and  at 
the  present  time  a  comparatively  small  part  of  the  original  lot 
is  in  the  possession  of  the  family,  the  largest  tract  yet  remain- 
ing being  the  mountainous  land  on  Bull  Hill. 


554  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  old  residence  of  the  Philipse  family  was  known  as  the 
"  Grange,"  and  was  bnilt  about  the  beginning  of  the  present 
century.  The  bricks  used  in  its  construction  were  made  from 
clay  dug  on  the  lands  adjoining.  This  mansion  stood  near  the 
northwestern  corner  of  the  plateau  which  juts  out  into  the 
river  at  the  cove  into  which  Philipse  Brook  flows,  and  is  about 
150  feet  above  the  water.  At  the  head  of  the  cove  the  old  river 
road  came  down  to  the  "  Philipse  dock."  This  place  was  burned 
in  1861,  but  the  remains  of  the  foundation  are  still  visible  at 
the  eastern  end  of  the  double  row  of  arbor  vitse  trees  which 
bordered  the  approach  to  the  former  residence.  It  was  here 
that  Mrs.  Ogilvie  and  her  children  made  their  home  when  they 
came  from  New  York  to  visit  their  Highland  estate,  and  was 
the  residence  of  the  family  in  later  years.  Here  were  preserved, 
with  religious  care,  the  family  portraits,  the  papers  relating  to 
the  estate,  all  the  relics  of  the  past  which  had  been  handed 
down  from  former  generations,  the  monument  a  majorum  of 
one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  country. 

The  old  coach,  built  to  be  drawn  by  four  horses,  and  in  which 
the  "  Lord  of  the  Manor"  made  his  journeys  to  and  from  the 
city,  existed  till  within  a  few  years,  a  curious  relic  of  the  times 
when  railroads  were  unknown. 

Revolittionary. — The  following  documents  give  the  location 
of  encampments  during  the  war  : 

"State  and  situation  of  the  American  Army  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  North  river,  March,  1781. 

"  About  three  miles  to  the  northward  of  Crom  pond  is  an  en- 
campment of  the  Rhode  Island  line:  but  the  troops  are  drawn 
off  to  West  Point,  except  part  of  the  companies  left  to  guard 
their  baggage. 

"  The  New  Hampshire  line  are  encamped  about  four  miles 
above  the  Continental  Village,  within  half  a  mile  of  the  main 
road  leading  from  Peekskill  to  Fishkill,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road.     Their  numbers  at  present  don't  exceed  200. 

"  The  Connecticut  line  are  encamped  about  six  miles  above 
said  village,  on  the  west  side  of  the  main'  road,  about  half  a 
mile  distant  there  from,  and  about  one  and  a  half  miles  distant 
from  the  North  River.  The  encampment  is  situated  in  a  hollow 
between  two  mountains,  a  large  brook  running  between  their 
huts,  which  are  built  to  contain  3,000  men,  but  deducting  those 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  555 

detatched  for  the  Marquis'  Corps,  and  many  on  furlough,  their 
numbers  at  present  do  not  exceed  800." 

19th  March,  1781.  "  Winat  (Wynant)  Williamson  returned 
from  Dutchess  County,  where  he  has  been  for  two  months  past. 
He  says : 

"  One  Brigade  (formerly  Poor's)  are  hutted  at  Yan  Tassel's, 
three  or  four  miles  from  Continental  Village. 

"  Another  at  Continental  Village,  and  along  the  road  up  to 
Hopper's  called  the  Soldier's  fortune." 

April  31st,  1781.  "  Wynant  Williamson,  who  T  had  sent  out 
for  information  respecting  the  Highlands,  and  directed  him  to 
go  to  a  particular  friend,  who  lives  very  near  West  Point.  He 
returned  this  day  and  says  he  saw  my  friend,  was  with  him  a 
whole  daj'  (last  Thursday),  and  had  the  information  from  him. 

"B.  KOBINSOK." 

"General  Heath  commands  at  West  Point. 
-  "  East  side  of  the  river,  200  of   the  Continental  line  com- 
manded by  Col.  Darby,  under  Bull  Hill. 

"The  New  Hampshire  line  at  Canopus  Hollow,  in  number 
about  600 — 500  are  just  inoculated. 

"The  two  redoubts  on  the  East  side  are  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Johnson,  with  one  company  of  men. 

"  Col.  Smith  with  one  Regiment  of  about  100  men  on  Hyatt's 
hill  east  of  Doctor  Perry." 

About  a  mile  northeast  of  Cold  Spring  village,  on  the  land  of 
Rev.  Charles  Wright,  and  near  the  banks  of  Margaret  Brook, 
are  the  remains  of  an  encampment  of  Revolutionary  times. 
The  huts  that  sheltered  the  troops  have,  of  course,  long  disap- 
peared, but  the  stone  fire-places  yet  remain  as  relics  of  "  the 
times  that  tried  men's  souls." 

On  Erskine's  military  map  (1780),  barracks  are  located  on 
the  Post  road,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  and  in  view  of 
West  Point  and  its  vicinity,  made  by  Major  L.  Enfant,  an  army 
engineer;  about  the  same  time  large  encampments  of  troops 
were  represented  as  occupying  the  site  of  "Undercliff"  and 
also  on  the  south  part  of  Constitution  Island.  It  also  shows  a 
row  of  tents  extending  from  Margaret  Brook  along  the  present 
Chestnut  street  and  Morris  avenue. 

At  the  junction  of  the  Highland  Turnpike  and  the  old  Post 
road  was  the  old  Warren  homestead,  now  owned  by  Capt.  James 
Nelson.     The  ancestor  of  this  family  was  Samuel  Warren,  who 


656  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

came  from  England  before  the  Revolution.  His  son,  Capt.  John 
Warren,  who  was  born  in  1765  and  died  September  1st,  1837, 
married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Justus  Nelson,  and  had  seven  chil- 
dren: Cornelius,  Sylvenus,  Samuel,  Harry,  John,  Mary,  wife  of 
Joseph  Haight,  and  Susan,  wife  of  Elijah  Davenport.  Capt.  John 
Warren,  in  his  early  years,  lived  in  a  log  house,  and  about  1815 
built  a  mill  on  a  stream  that  flowed  near  by,  and  where  the 
mill  of  James  Nelson  now  stands.  He  had  a  large  farm  an  d  was 
noted  as  a  hard-working,  honest,  frugal  man,  who  began  poor 
and  died  comparatively  rich. 

His  son,  Cornelius  Warren,  was  born  in  1790,  and  died  at 
Cold  Spring  July  28th,  1849.  He  was  member  of  Congress, 
1847-9,  and  was  judge  of  Common  Pleas  in  1841. 

Sylvenus  Warren  was  born  November  13th,  1799,  and  died 
February  15th,  1859.  He  was  member  of  Assembly  in  1843, 
and  supervisor  of  Philipstown  for  several  years.  His  oldest 
son,  Gen.  Gouverneur  K.  Warren,  was  a  distinguished  officer 
during  the  Civil  War. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 
TOWN  OF  PHILIPSTOWN  (Concluded). 


"Village  of  Cold  Spring. — West  Point  Foundry. — Growth  of  Village. — Incorpora- 
tion.— Cold  Spring  Recorder. — Fires. — Philipstown  Lodge. — Baptist  Church. 
— St.  Mary's  Episcopal  Church. — Methodist  Church. — First  Reformed  Church. 
— Presbyterian  Church . — Roman  Catholic  Church. — Cemeteries. — Nelsonville. 
— West  Point  Iron  Company. — Union  Chapel,  Mekeel's  Corners. — Constitu- 
tion Island. — North  Part  of  Philipstown. — Col.  Roger  Morris. — Old  Highland 
Methodist  Church. — Northeast  Part  of  Town. — Murders. — Supervisors. — Hon. 
Hamilton  Fish,  LL.  D. — Hon.  Edwards  Pierrepont. — Edward  Pierrepont. — 
Hon.  Daniel  P.  and  Arthur  Ingraham. — Gouverneur  Kemble.^William  D. 
Garrison. — James  H.  Haldane. — Robert  P.  Parrott. — C61.  Thomas  B.  Arden. 
— Henry  W.  Belcher. — Osmond  M.  Baxter. — Hon.  George  McCabe. 


THE  village  of  Cold  Spring,  now  the  largest  in  the  county, 
had  no  existence  previous  to  the  time  when  the  works 
of  the  West  Point  Foundry  were  established  here,  in  1818.  The 
whole  extent  of  this  village^  and  of  Nelsonville,  is  included 
within  the  limits  of  the  tract  known  as  Lot  4,  in  the  first  sur- 
vey of  the  Philipse  Lof,  and  held  by  William  Davenport  as 
tenant  in  1769.  At  that  time  and  for  long  years  after,  the  only 
valuable  portion  of  the  tract  was  the  comparatively  few  acres 
that  could  be  cultivated,  and  the  shores  of  the  river,  which  con- 
sisted of  rugged  rocks  and  useless  marsh,  were  naturally  con- 
sidered of  no  practical  value  whatever. 

At  the  foot  of  what  is  now  Main  street,  was  in  former  times 
a  small  bay  with  marshy  shores.  This  extended  as  far  east  as 
the  Hudson  River  Railroad  track.  At  the  Point  where  the  rail- 
road crosses  the  north  line  of  the  steeet,  a  spring  of  water, 
cool,  clear  and  sparkling,  flowed  from  the  bank,  and  from  its 
peculiar  freshness  it  acquired  the  name  of  "  the  Cold  Spring." 
The  course  of  modern  improvement  has  destroyed  it  and  the 
fountain  no  longer  flows,  but  its  memory  still  survives  in  the 
name  of  the  village. 


558  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

The  first  house  in  this  vicinity  was  built  by  Thomas  Daven- 
port, and  stood  opposite  tlie  present  Methodist  church.  Here 
he  lived  and  died  and  his  sons  after  him,  and  the  name  of  this 
family  must  ever  by  identified  with  the  early  times  of  this  sec-, 
tion  of  the  county. 

An  old  road  ran  winding  down  to  what  is  called  Sandy  Land- 
ing. At  the  beginning  of  the  jjresent  century  there  were  three 
or  four  small  houses  in  the  vicinity,  and  boatmen  on  the  river 
stopped  here  occasionally.  In  1805,  Elijah  Davenport  built  a 
store  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  and  in  1815,  Chauncey 
Weeks  moved  a  frame  building  down  from  Nelsonville  and 
stationed  it  just  east  of  the  store.  The  old  house  of  Elijah 
Davenport  was  still  farther  east.  Two  men  named  Haldane 
and  Howel  afterward  built  a  store  at  "Sandy  Landing." 
Thomas  Sutton,  a  son-in  law  of  William  Davenport,  had  a  log 
house  where  the  elegant  mansion  of  Frederick  P.  James  now 
stands.  He  was  the  fortunate  owner  of  some  peach  trees,  and 
one  year  had  an  excellent  crop  of  fruit,  which  he  sold  to  men 
from  New  York  for  the  large  sum  of  five  dollars:  quite  an  event 
in  the  early  times. 

The  first  school  house  was  built  of  logs  and  stood  at  a  place 
called  "Plum  bush,"  a  little  south  of  the  village,  on  the  road 
to  Garrison's,  and  to  this  humble  edifice  trudged  the  children 
of  the  Davenport,  Sutton  and  Travis  families,  the  last  said  to 
have  been  living  on  Constitution  Island.  About  1810,  a  frame 
school  house  was  built,  about  half  a  mile  east  from  the  house 
of  William  Davenport.  This  building  stood  near  the  corner  of 
a  road,  and  to  it  the  children  came  from  a  long  distance  round. 
Thaddeus  Baxter  came  from  Carmel  and  taught  school  in  1816. 
The  house  was  afterward  moved  to  Grifiin's  Corner,  and  a  new 
one  built  on  the  spot  where  the  first  Methodist  church  after- 
ward stood. 

In  1815,  the  Philipstown  Turnpike  Company  was  organized, 
and  the  enterprise  was  started  of  making  a  good  road  from 
Cold  Spring,  through  the  whole  length  of  the  county,  to  the 
Connecticut  line.  Dr.  Joseph  Parks  took  the  contract  for  mak- 
ing 12  miles  of  this  road  for  $1,000  a  mile. 

In  1817,  Market  street  was  laid  out,  and  was  described  as 
"  beginning  at  the  westerly  end  and  centre  of  Philipstown  turn- 
pike, at  Cold  Spring  landing,  being  a  course  of  S.  64  degrees 
west  to  the  verge  of  the  flats  on  the  easterly  side  of  the  channel 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWJSr.  559 

of  Hudson  river,  at  a  distance  of  about  six  chains  to  the  edge 
of  tlie  channel,  and  from  the  centre  of  said  turnpilte,  to  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  road,  completing  in  all  a  distance  of  80  chains  or 
thereabouts." 

The  stream  which  has  from  early  times  borne  the  name  of  Mar- 
garet's Brook,  doubtless  derives  its  title  from  Margaret  Ogilvie, 
who  with  her  children,  was  the  owner  of  all  the  country 
round.  Kemble  avenue  was  opened  a  few  years  later,  for  the 
transportation  of  goods  to  the  foundry  by  land.  A  large  gate 
formerly  stood  at  its  junction  with  Main  street. 

Davenport's  store  was  a  great  resort  for  local  gossips  in  the 
"good  old  times,"  and  was  the  scene  of  many  a  hot  political 
dispute.  The  old  residents  used  to  tell  of  a  townsman,  who, 
when  the  tariff  was  proposed  as  a  protection  from  the  cheap 
merchandise  with  which  England  flooded  the  country,  declaimed 
loud  and  long  against  the  infringement  upon  the  rights  for 
which  he  in  the  Revolution  fought,  bled,  and  (might  have)  died, 
and  being  asked  to  define  the  tariff,  he  said,  "  it  is  the  little  black 
bug  that  eats  up  the  potatoes ^ 

The  West  Point  Foundry  Association  was  incorporated  by 
an  Act  of  the  Legislature  April  15th,  1818.  This  Act  states 
that  "  Whereas  Grouverneur  Kemble,  Joseph  Gr.  Swift,  James 
Renwick  and  others  have  by  their  petition  set  forth,  that  they 
have  formed  a  company  for  the  making  and  manufacturing  of 
iron  and  brass,  and  are  engaged  in  the  erection  of  extensive 
works  and  machinery  for  the  making  of  cannon,  cannon  balls, 
and  other  ordnance,  but  their  private  capital  being  found  in- 
adequate: that  corporate  privileges  and  powers  are  deemed  es- 
sential to  the  accomplishment  of  this  undertaking:  and  this 
Legislature  deeming  the  said  undertaking  to  be  connected  with 
the  public  interest  and  being  disposed  to  encourage  the  same," 
the  following  persons,  Gouverneur  Kemble,  James  Renwick, 
Henry  Brevoort,  jr.,  Joseph  Gr.  Swift,  John  R.  Renwick,  Wil- 
liam Kemble,  Henry  Gary,  Charles  Gr.  Smedburg,  Nicholas 
Gouverneur,  Robert  I.  Fenwick  and  William  Young  were  made 
a  body  corporate,  under  the  name  of  the  "West  Point  Foundry 
Association,"  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  On  the  3d  of  Novem- 
ber, 1817,  Frederick  Philipse  and  Samuel  Gouverneur  and  wife 
sold  to  Henry  Brevoort,  jr.,  and  James  Renwick  a  tract  of  land, 
"  Beginning  at  a  rock,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Oold  Spring  land- 
ing, on  which  is  graven  the  letter  S.  at  or  near  the  mark  of 


560  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

high  water,  of  Hudson's  river  and  thence  North  32  East,  39 
cliains  to  a  stone  set  on  the  Earth  on  the  south  side  of  which 
'is  engraved  the  letter  S.,  and  joining  the  Philipstown  turnpike 
road,  to  a  stone  placed  in  the  earth  Marked  K.,  then  south  59, 
45,  East  24  chains  80  links  to  a  stone  set  on  the  ground  Marked 
K.  Then  South  14  West  11,59  links  to  a  chestnut  tree  Marked 
with  three  notches.  Then  South  18  West  24  Ch.  80  links  to  a 
stone  set  in  the  ground  near  the  margin  of  the  marsh  Marked 
S.  thence  across  the  creek  to  a  ditch  lately  cut  along  said  brook 
to  the  road  lately  made  by  Joseph  Parks,  thence  along  said 
road  to  a  dock  lately  built,  thence  along  the  margin  of  the 
river  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  178  Acres  of  land 
and  27  acres  of  marsh  and  also  the  privilege  of  the  water  of 
Margaret  brook,  up  to  the  old  Saw  Mill  with  liberty  to  put  up 
a  second  dam  across  the  same,  above  the  Falls,  20  feet  high." 
Henry  Brevoort  and  James  Renwick  conveyed  the  same  to 
the  association  July  13th,  1818,  and  they  proceeded  to  erect  the 
works  necessary  for  carrying  on  their  intended  business.  From 
the  time  of  its  beginning  the  company  was  under  the  special 
patronage  of  the  government,  and  in  1819,  an  agreement  was 
made  with  the  Ordnance  Bureau  to  receive  all  the  old  and  un- 
serviceable cannon,  carronades,  shot,  &c.,  and  to  pay  for  them 
$25  a  ton,  and  to  return  kentlidge  at  the  rate  of  $55  a  ton.  July 
11th,  1820,  the  first  contract  was  signed  by  Gouverneur  Kemble 
as  president,  for  manufacturing  thirty-two  42  pounders,  heavj^ 
guns,  at  $125  a  ton,  to  be  delivered  in  New  York  within  ten 
months.  December  1st,  of  the  same  year,  the  Board  of  Ord- 
nance ordered  twenty-four  42  pound  carronades  at  $185  each; 
thirty-two  42  pound  cannon;  thirty-six  32  pounders;  4,500  42 
pound  round  shot,  3,500  32  pound  shot,  14,400  42  pound  grape 
shot,  and  7,680  32  pound  grape  shot.  From  the  time  of  its 
establishment  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  the  com- 
pany was  engaged  in  manufacturing  smooth  bore  cannon  of  the 
Dahlgren  and  Rodman  patterns,  which  were  as  efficient  as  any 
then  known.  After  the  commencement  of  the  Civil  War,  the 
whole  force  of  the  establishment  was  employed  in  making  Par- 
rott  rifled  cannon.  The  peculiarity  of  this  kind  of  ordnance 
consisted  of  a  cylinder  made  by  coiling  a  bar  of  wrought  iron, 
welding  the  coils  together,  and  thus  forming  a  C3dinder  which 
was  turned  and  shrunk  on  the  breech  of  the  gun,  thus  prevent- 
ing all  danger  of  bursting.     In  1860,  10  pounders  of  this  pat- 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  561 

tern  were  made,  the  next  year  20  and  30  pounders  were  manu- 
factured, and  at  a  later  date  they  were  increased  to  300  and  400 
pounders.  Throughout  the  war  the  Cold  Spring  Foundry  was 
a  scene  of  the  most  active  labor,  employing  from  800  to  1,000 
men  and  turning  out  an  immense  amount  of  war  material. 
More  than  3,000  cannon  of  various  sizes  were  made  and  1,600,- 
000  projectiles.  In  testing  the  guns  they  were  loaded  to  their 
full  capacity  and  aimed  at  the  rocky  front  of  Storm  King,  op- 
posite. The  shells  in  bursting  threw  up  enormous  masses  of 
earth,  and  the  impressions  made  on  the  side  of  the  mountain 
are  still  plainly  visible,  and  prove  the  mighty  force  exerted. 

Since  the  war  supplies  of  cannon  have  been  made  at  these 
works  for  Spain,  and  for  several  South  American  countries,  and 
large  numbers  of  smooth  bore  cannon  have  been  changed  into 
rifled  guns.  Iron  and  steel  castings  of  all  kinds  are  made  at 
these  works,  the  force  and  skill  employed  being  equally  applic- 
able to  the  labors  of  peace  as  well  as  of  war. 

Like  all  manufacturing  enterprises,  this  company  has  had  its 
time  of  prosperity  and  its  time  of  depression.  In  1883,  the 
company  was  reorganized, 'and  the  present  officers  are:  Charles 
J.  Nourse,  president;  Thomas  Gaunt,  superintendent  and  vice 
president;  N".  B.  Sanborn,  secretary. 

Grouverneur  Paulding,  Esq.,  has  been  connected  with  this 
company  for  a  longer  time  than  any  person  ijow  living,  and 
was  one  of  its  former  presidents. 

The  road  from  Cold  Spring  to  Break  Neck  was  laid  out  in 
April,  1823. 

It  was  the  growth  of  the  village  of  Cold  Spring  that  led  to 
the  division  of  Philipstown,  and  the  setting  off  of  Putnam 
Valley  as  a  separate  town.  The  following  advertisement  ap- 
peared in  the  local  papers  at  that  time: 

"  Notice  is  hereby  given  to  the  Freeholders  and  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Philips,  that  an  application  will  be  made  to  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York,  at  the  present  session  for 
a  division  of  Philipstown. 

"  Cornelius  Waeken, 

"  GrABRIBL  OdELL, 

"  Martin  Garrison, 
"  Samuel  Partridge, 
"  B.  Dykman. 
"  March  27th,  1829." 


a 


562  HISTOBY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Similar  petitions  were  presented  to  the  Legislature  in  1832-3- 
4-8,  and  the  division  was  made  in  1839. 

The  first  public  work  of  much  magnitude  was  the  filling  in  of 
the  Cold  Spring  Basin.  This  was  commenced  in  the  fall  of 
1836,  and  quite  a  tract  of  dry  ground  was  made  at  the  foot  of 
Main  street.  It  was  at  this  time  that  the  spring  which  had 
given  its  name  to  the  locality  was  covered  up  and  obliterated. 
In  1838  Main  street  was  straightened.  This  formerly  bent 
round  the  hill  on  which  the  Roman  Catholic  church  stands,  and 
in  its  course  went  to  the  north  of  the  old  Methodist  church,  re- 
turning to  a  straight  line  near  Kemble  avenue.  The  large 
number  of  operatives  employed  in  the  foundry  caused  a  rapid 
growth  in  the  village,  and  about  this  time  the  Foundry  Associa- 
tion contracted  with  a  Mr.  Whitmarsh  to  build  fifty  tenement 
houses.  A  great  increase  in  the  number  of  houses  in  the  village 
was  made  in  1839,  when  the  Gouverneurs  began  to  sell  small 
lots  for  building  purposes,  and  a  new  and  enlarged  school  house 
was  built.  This  school  was  termed  an  Academy,  but  seems  to 
have  belonged  to  the  district,  and  was  conducted  in  a  manner 
superior  to  most  schools  of  that  time. 

"  An  Act  to  incorporate  the  village  of  Cold  Spring.  April 
22d:  All  that  district  of  country,  in  the  town  of  Philips,  and 
County  of  Putnam,  bounded  by  line  beginning  on  the  east  bank 
of  Hudson  Rivfer,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Gen.  George  P. 
Morris's  land,  thence  along  the  east  bank  of  said  river  at  low 
water  mark,  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  West  Point  Foundry 
farm,  thence  northeasterly,  along  said  boundary  line,  to  the 
southeast  corner  of  said  foundry  farm,  thence  north  and  west- 
erly, parallel  with  the  said  line,  to  Bull  Hill:  thence  westerly 
parallel  with  said  Morris's  south  line  including  the  village  ceme- 
tery, to  the  place  of  beginning  shall  hereafter  be  known  and 
distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  Village  of  Cold  Spring,  and 
the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  residing  within  the  limits  afore- 
said, are  hereby  constituted  a  body  corporate,  by  the  name  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  Village  of  Cold  Spring." 

By  an  Act  passed  March  25th,  1867,  it  was  provided  that  a 
suitable  piece  of  land  should  be  bought  and  a  Town  Hall  or 
public  building  erected  for  the  purpose  of  holding  public  meet- 
ings, courts  and  annual  elections,  also  that  there  should  be  ad- 
joining thereto  a  jail  or  lockup  of  sufficient  size  "  to  hold  all 
persons  who  should  be  confined  therein,  for  offences  committed 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  563 

in  Philipstown."  The  land  was  to  be  taken  in  the  name  of  the 
town.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  not  to  exceed  $13,500.  The 
Act  was  amended  at  various  times.  The  land  on  which  the 
Town  Hall  stands  was  sold  to  the  town  by  Frederick  Philipse 
and  S.  W.  Grouverueur,  June  1st,  1866. 

The  Cold  Spring  Reooeder.— This  newspaper,  the  only  one 
published  in  the  western  part  of  the  county,  was  founded  in  the 
spring  of  1866,  by  Charles  Blanchard.  In  November  of  the 
following  year,  it  was  sold  to  a  company  composed  of  prominent 
citizens  of  the  village,  and  was  put  in  charge  of  Mr.  Sylvester 
B.  AUis,  a  native  of  Fairfield,  Conn.  Mr.  Allis  bought  out  the 
various  shares,  and  has  since  continued  in  control.  The  paper 
is  independent  in  politics,  fearless  in  expression  of  opinion,  and 
has  an  extensive  circulation. 

Like  most  villages,  Cold  Spring  has  suffered  from  the  devasta- 
tion caused  by  fire.  The  first  occurred  in  1862,  when  several 
stores  and  buildings  on  the  south  side  of  the  main  street  were 
burned,  causing  a  great  loss  of  property.  The  place,  however, 
was  quickly  rebuilt.  On  the  7th  of  July,  1875,  another  fire 
started  on  the  south  side  of  the  street,  above  the  railroad,  and 
caused  a  loss  of  $47,000. 

Philipstown  Lodge  INo.  286,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  granted  a  war- 
rant September  4th,  1851.  The  first  ofiicers  were:  P.  B.  Law- 
son,  W.  M. ;  James  Truman,  S.  W.;  Benjamin  Dykeman,  jr., 
J.  W. 

Hon.  Gouverueur  Kemble,  who  established  the  West  Point 
Foundry,  was  a  member  of  this  lodge.  Among  its  past  masters 
are:  Hon.  Jackson  O.  Dykman,  Dr.  Barker,  Andrew  Mcllray, 
and  Hon.  William  Wood. 

The  present  officers  (1886)  are:  Ellis  H.  Timm,  W.  M.;  Wil- 
liam L.  Post,  S.  W.;  Samuel  Avery,  J.  W.;  Thomas  A.  Coe, 
treasurer;  Alexander  Slater,  jr.,  secretary;  James  E.  Bailey, 
S.  D.;  Willard  Jaycox,  J.  D.;  Arthur  Thompson,  S.  M.  C; 
William  H.  Ladue,  J.  M.  C;  Clarence  A.  Mikmak,  tiler;  Stephen 
Mekeel,  Wright  E.  Perry,  Jacob  Gr.  Southard,  trustees. 

The  regular  communications  are  held  on  the  first  and  third 
Thursdays  of  each  month  in  Masonic  Hall. 

The  first  religious  meetings  in  this  neighborhood,  were  held 
in  the  house  of  Thomas  Sutton,  which  stood  near  the  site  of  the 
residence  of  the  late  Frederick  P.  James.     In  1825,  a  subscrip- 


564  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

tion  was  circulated  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  for  building 
a  churcli  which  should  be  free  to  all  Protestant  religious  socie- 
ties. It  was  at  first  intended  to  erect  a  frame  building,  but  it  was 
finally  concluded  to  use  stone  for  that  purpose.  The  edifice  was 
completed  in  1826,  and  for  some  time  the  religious  services  were 
confined  to  prayer  meetings.  The  Presbyterian  church  was  or- 
ganized in  1828,  and  laid  claim  to  the  church  thus  erected,  and 
considerable  dispute  arose  as  to  the  rival  claims  of  ownership. 
This  building,  which  is  still  standing,  is  now  the  property  of 
the  Presbyterian  Society,  and  is  situated  near  the  bank  of  the 
river,  north  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church. 

Baptist  Church. — The  first  preacher  of  the  Baptist  denomi- 
nation was  B,ev.  Ebenezer  Cole,  who,  like  his  brother  Daniel, 
was  an  unwearied  minister  of  the  Gospel,  travelling  into  all  the 
villages  and  neighbcrhoods  of  the  country  round  Carmel,  organ- 
izing and  establishing  churches. 

About  1797  he  organized  the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  was 
its  successful  pastor  for  many  years.  The  places  of  meeting 
were  at  private  houses,  that  of  Deacon  Josiah  Mekeel  being  the 
regular  place  of  service  for  many  years,  and  meetings  were  also 
held  in  Canopus  Hollow.  For  some  unknown  reason  this  church 
was  given  up,  and  on  March  15th,  1815,  Elder  Ebenezer  Cole, 
assisted  by  Elder  Simeon  Barrett,  organized  the  Second  Baptist 
Church  of  Philipstown.  This  church  was  ministered  to  for 
several  years  by  Elders  Knapp,  Cole  and  Marcus  Grriffin,  the 
latter  being  one  of  its  own  licentiates.  -In  February,  1827,  this 
church,  for  property  considerations,  became  united  with  the 
Peekskill  Baptist  Church.  When  the  growth  of  the  village  of 
Cold  Spring  increased  the  number  of  church  members  residing 
there,  a  branch  was  organized  in  March,  1829,  which  was  sup- 
plied for  three  years  or  more  by  Elders  John  Warren  and 
Knapp.  Up  to  this  time  the  meetings  were  held  in  private 
dwellings,  school  houses,  and  in  the  old  Presbyterian  church 
which  had  been  built  by  subscriptions  from  people  of  different 
denominations.  When  the  Baptists  were  organized,  they  were 
excluded  from  the  latter  place,  and  upon  one  occasion.  Elder 
Warren,  coming  to  till  an  appointment,  found  the  pulpit  occu- 
pied by  the  Presbyterians.  They  then  began  to  take  steps  to 
build  a  church,  and  through  the  liberality  and  efforts  of  Mr. 
Davenport,  a  house  of  worship  was  built  upon  a  lot  given  by 
the  Philipse  estate,  and  was  dedicated  in  1831. 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  565 

In  August,  1832,  Elder  Isaac  Bevan  became  pastor  and  re- 
mained two  years  and  a  half.  The  church  of  which  this  was 
a  branch,  being  lai-ge  and  extending  over  a  wide  region,  it  was 
found  difficult  to  enforce  discipline.  Accordingly  a  council 
was  called,  and  the  Baptist  Church  of  Cold  Spring  was  con- 
stituted December  25th,  1833,  Elder  John  Warren  preaching 
on  the  occasion.  In  1835  Elder  Bevan  resigned  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  William  Biddle,  a  licentiate  from  the  McDougal 
Street  Baptist  Church,  New  York.  The  church  was  supplied 
by  several  elders,  among  whom  was  Marcus  Griffin,  who  became 
pastor  in  1836  and  continued  for  four  years.  His  interest  in 
the  church  never  ceased,  and  in  1866  he  donated  $1,000,  the  in- 
terest to  be  used  for  maintaining  the  preached  word  among 
them.  The  pastors  since  that  time  have  been :  Elder  Russell, 
1840;  J.  W.  Jones,  1842;  Erastus  Minor,  1853;  Elder  Bennett, 
1855;  F.  N.  Barlow,  1856;  C.  N.  Skinner,  1857;  W.  Lincoln,  1861; 
William  James,  1873;  '  Chester  J.  Page,  1876;  Jacob  L.  Wil- 
liams, 1883. 

The  church  has  at  times  been  enlarged  and  improved,  and 
the  services  are  attended  with  great  results  for  good. 

Rev.  Jacob  L.  Williams,  the  present  pastor,  was  born  in 
Saugerties,  N.  Y.,  and  for  seven  years  was  pastor  at  Tivoli. 

St.  Mary's  Episcopal  Church. — The  finest  architectural 
feature  of  Cold  Spring  is  St.  Mary's  in  the  Highlands.  It  stands 
in  a  large  open  space  of  over  three  acres  fronting  chiefly  on 
Main  and  Chestnut  streets.  The  ground  sinks  considerably  to 
the  northwest  and  the  west,  giving,  from  the  higher  portions 
near  the  church,  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding  hills.  The 
present  church  was  built  in  1868.  Previously  the  congregation 
worshipped  in  a  brick  structure  which  stood  upon  a  fine  lot  on 
Main  street,  in  the  center  of  what  is  now  the  chief  business 
section  of  the  village. 

The  old  brick  church,  which  was  taken  down  a  few  years  ago, 
was  completed  and  used  for  the  first  time,  Sunday,  November 
7th,  1841.  The  parish  was  incorporated  in  1840.  The  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Williams  was  rector  of  St.  Philip's  in  the  Highlands, 
Garrison's,  and  united  to  his  cure  at  that  time  the  rectorship 
of  St.  Mary's,  Cold  Spring.  The  consecration  of  the  old  church 
took  place  on  Tuesday,  November  16th,  1841,  the  Right  Rev. 
Benjamin  T.  Onderdonk,  D.D.,  bishop  of  New  York,  being  the 
consecrator. 


566  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Mr.  Gonverneur  Kemble  and  Mr.  Robert  P.  Parrott  were  tlie 
first  wardens  of  the  church.  The  first  marriage  solemnized  in 
the  parish  was  that  of  the  late  Mr.  Robert  P.  Parrott  and  Miss 
Mary  Kemble,  who  now  survives  him.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Parrott  took  a  keen  and  conscientious  interest  in  the  church 
as  they  did  in  all  movements  and  undertakings  for  the  good  of 
the  community.  The  parish  rapidly  developed  in  strength  and 
numbers,  In  1867,  the  village  having  largely  increased  in  popu- 
lation, owing  to  the  great  expansion  of  its  chief  business  in- 
terests, the  congregation  was  too  large  for  the  old  building. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry  held  on  the  17th  of  June,  1867, 
Mr.  Parrott  presented  a  communication  in  which  he  offered  to 
the  church  the  lot  on  which  the  new  building  stands.  He  also 
offered,  iji  connection  with  some  other  members  of  the  con- 
gregation, to  erect  upon  this  lot  a  church  building,  after  plans 
that  had  been  prepared  by  Mr.  George  E.  Harney,  architect. 
The  offer  was  accepted  by  the  vestry,  and  the  beautiful  edifice 
that  is  now  such  a  notable  feature  of  Cold  Spring  was  at  once 
begun.  The  lot  was  the  gift  of  Mr.  Parrott,  and  the  building 
the  united  gift  of  Messrs.  Robert  P.  Parrott,  Gonverneur 
Kemble,  Gouverneur  Paulding  and  Frederick  P.  James.  It  was 
built  by  days'  work  under  the  supervision  of  the  late  Sylvanus 
Ferri?,  and  the  general  oversight  was  carefully,  willijigly  and 
faithfully  given  by  Commodore  R.  B.  Hitchcock,  of  the  U.  S. 
Navy,  then  residing  in  Cold  Spring.  The  bills  accruing  were 
settled  monthly,  and  the  building  was  completed  and  paid 
for  within  a  year  of  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone. 

It  is  a  noble  structure  of  grey  granite,  massive  and  perfect  in 
its  proportions.  Everything  about  the  building  is  ©vidently 
well  and  substantially  done.  The  graceful  stone  spire  rises  to 
a  height  of  128  feet,  and  its  foundation  is  composed  of  14  feet 
of  solid  masonry,  which  rests  upon  the  rock  itself.  The  shape 
of  the  building  is  cruciform.  The  extreme  length  is  108  feet. 
The  breadth  at  the  transepts  is  68  feet,  and  of  the  nave  and 
choir  30  feet.  The  roof  is  a  lofty  one,  and  very  beautifully  pro- 
portioned and  timbered,  and  is  of  the  color  of  the  natural  wood. 
The  choir  and  sanctuary  are  stately  and  richly  furnished.  The 
latter  has  panelled  walnut  wainscoting,  a  richly  carved  Reredos 
and  Altar,  and  massive  sanctuary  seats.  Equally  substantial 
sedilia,  lectern  and  pulpit  are  found  in  the  choir.  The  style  of 
the  building  is  early  English  Gothic.     It  might  be  added  that 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN. 


567 


the  chancel  furniture,  both  of  the  choir  and  sanctuary,  was  the 
gift  of  one  whose  loving  and  generous  devotion,  throu-ghout  a 
long  life,  has  had  much  to  do  with  the  advancement  of  St.  Mary' s 
in  the  Highlanpts. 

This  new  church  was  consecrated  by  the  bishop  of  New  York, 
the  Right  Rev.  Horatio  Potter,  D.D.,  on  Thursday,  July  23d, 
1868.  At  ten  o'clock  on  that  morning  the  clear  tones  of  the 
great  bell  in  the  tower  first  sounded  forth  over  the  village,  sum- 


ST.   MAEY'S  CHURCH  IN  THE  HIGHLANDS. 


moning  many  worshippers  to  the  noble  structure  that  has  been 
for  nearly  eighteen  years  the  spiritual  home  of  St.  Mary's 
congregation. 

In  1873  Mr.  Frederick  P.  James,  one  of  the  contributors  of 
the  new  church,  made  another  gift  by  commencing  to  build  the 
beautiful  Sunday  school  chapel  which  stands  a  little  to  the 
northwest  of  the  church.     This  chapel  is  an  appropriate  memo- 


568  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

rial  to  Frederick  J.  and  Julian  James,  the  two  sons  and  only 
children  of  the  donors,  both  of  whom  served  with  gallantry  in 
our  army  during  the  Civil  War.  This  chapel,  designed  by  Mr. 
Harney,  is  constructed  of  the  same  grey  stone  as  the  church, 
and  of  an  equally  massive  character.  It  embraces  a  large  beau- 
tiful room,  used  for  a  general  Sunday  school  room,  and  also  as 
a  chapel.  A  transept  on  the  south  side,  which  can  be 
shut  off  by  sliding  windows,  serves  as  an  infant  class  room, 
and  a  smaller  transept  on  the  north  side  is  fitted  up  as  a 
library. 

These  two  buildings  are  of  such  a  character  that,  taken  with 
the  exquisite  and  picturesque  scene  that  opens  up  on  every  side, 
limited  only  by  the  hills  that  stand  about,  they  form  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  complete  ecclesiastical  establishments  in 
the  land.  It  was  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  the  donors  to  have 
added  a  rectory  of  the  same  general  style  upon  the  church 
grounds.  But  the  expense  of  the  building,  about  $70,000,  was 
so  great  that  it  was  not  accomplished  at  the  time,  and  it  re- 
mains for  some  one  in  the  future  to  complete  the  group  of 
buildings  which  will  then  be  unsurpassed  in  any  rural  parish 
of  America. 

The  whole  cost  of  the  land  and  buildings  now  owned  by  the 
parish  was  about  $100,000.  Cold  Spring  and  Putnam  county 
may  well  be  proud  of  St.  Mary's  in  the  Highlands. 

The  present  rector  of  St.  Mary's  in  the  Highlands,  the  Rev. 
Isaac  Van  Winkle,  entered  upon  his  rectorship  the  last  Sunday 
in  August,  1874.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  1846; 
was  educated  at  the  Collegiate  School,  under  the  celebrated  in- 
structor. Dr.  G.  P.  Quackenbos;  graduated  from  Columbia  Col- 
lege in  1865,  and  from  the  General  Theological  Seminary,  in 
1869;  was  ordained  deacon  on  Trinity  Sunday  of  that  year,  and 
was  then  appointed  to  be  professor  of  mathematics  in  St. 
Steplien's  College,  Annandale,  New  York. 

He  was  ordained  priest  in  1870,  and  at  the  close  of  the  college 
year  in  1871,  he  resigned  his  professorship,  owing  to  ill  health. 
In  December  of  that  year  he  went  to  Europe,  where  he  travelled 
extensively,  and  resided  until  June,  1874,  when  he  returned  to 
his  native  city,  and  shortly  after  was  elected  and  appointed  to 
St.  Mary's  in  the  Highlands,  Cold  Spring,  where  he  has  served 
up  to  the  present  time. 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  569 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church. — The  first  organized  attempt 
to  establish  this  society  was  in  1832,  when  the  following  sub- 
scription paper  was  circulated: 

"  We  the  undersigned  Inhabitants  of  Cold  Spring  in  the  town 
of  Philipstown  County  of  Putnam,  and  State  of  New  York, 
believing  it  to  be  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  the  gen- 
eral cause  of  Christianity  and  morality,  that  a  house  of  Wor- 
ship should  be  erected  in  the  Neighborhood  of  Cold  Spring,  on 
the  most  suitable  site,  on  or  near  the  vicinity  which  can  con- 
sistently be  obtained,  for  the  use  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  with  free  seats,  in  a  neat  but  plain  style,  according  to 
the  usage  and  economy  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
And  whereas  the  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
are  unable  to  build  such  a  house  in  said  place  without  the  aid 
of  the  generous  public,  we  do  most  affectionately  solicit  the  aid 
of  all  who  are  friendly  to  the  cause  of  God  and  Religion,  and 
ftvidence  thus  their  friendship  by  a  respectable  and  liberal  sub- 
scription. We  the  undersigned  do  hereby  promise  to  pay  to 
the  persons  who  shall  hereafter  be  legally  appointed  Trustees 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Cold  Spring,  the  sum 
severally  annexed  to  our  names  for  the  above  purpose,  to  be 
paid  on  or  before  the  first  of  November  next.  Dated  Cold 
Spring  1st  Sept.  1832." 

The  paper  was  signed  by  the  following  contributors:  James 
Wright,  $100;  Justus  Nelson,  50;  Samuel . Warren,  30;  Capt. 
John  Cronk,  50;  John  Snouck,  50;  Isaac  Knapp,  10;  Isaac 
Hustis,  5;  Chloe  Hart,  8;  Peter  Warren,  5;  Mr.  Kemble,  10; 
Gilbert  Townsend,  5;  William  Wright,  5;  Thomas  Wright,  5; 
Abram  Bowne,  2;  Jacob  Lent,  2;  John  P.  Andrews,  5;  Marcus 
Warren,  2;  William  Brewster,  2;  Frederick  Knapp,  5;  David 
Knapp,  5;  Caleb  Hunt,  5;  Nathaniel  Keeler,  2;  Elisha  C.  Bax- 
ter, 30;  Cornelius  Bennet,  20;  Jacob  Bennet,  25;  Peter  Snouck, 
20;  George  Read,  20;  Samuel  S.  Davenport,  30;  Elisha  Nelson, 
15;  William  Cronk,  10;  Abram  Wright,  10;  Gilbert  Lawrence, 
5;  Jerry  Walker,  10;  Timothy  Wood,  10;  Francis  Giles,  5; 
Timothy  Haight,  10;  Elijah  Warren,  5;  James  Hustis,  1;  Enoch 
Larrons,  2;  Joseph  Walker,  2. 

The  church  was  built  in  1833.  At  that  time  Main  street  ran 
north  of  it,  but  when  the  street  was  straightened  it  was  changed 
so  as  to  run  on  the  south  side  of  it,  and  what  was  at  first  the 
front  became  the  rear.     This  church  remained  in  use  until  the 


570  HISTORY   OF   PtJTNAM   COUNTY. 

building  of  the  new  one,  at  which  time  the  following  advertise- 
ment appeared: 

"For  Sale:  The  old  M.  E.  Church  with  lot  54  feet  on  Main 
Street,  66  feet  in  the  rear  and  80  deep.  Title  good,  inquire  of 
O.  H.  Studley,  Trustee." 

For  several  years  the  basement  of  the  church  was  used  for  a 
school.  The  building  stood  near  the  northeast  corner  of  Church 
and  Main  streets,  and  is  now  a  furniture  store.  The  church  lot 
was  sold  to  the  trustees,  March  6th,  1832,  by  Samuel  Q-ouver- 
neur  and  wife,  and  the  church  was  incorporated  as  the  "  Third 
M.  E.  Church,  of  Philipstown." 

The  present  church  is  a  most  elegant  and  substantial  building, 
and  one  of  the  ornaments  of  the  village.  The  corner  stone  was 
laid  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Walsh,  D.  D.,  September  10th,  1868,  and 
the  church  was  dedicated  June  16th,  1870.  The  cost  of  this 
edifice  was  $40,000. 

FiKST  Reformed  Church. — This  church  was  organized  July 
15th,  1865,  by  the  Classis  of  Poughkeepsie.  The  first  pastor 
was  Rev.  J.  Ferguson  Harris,  and  the  elders  were  Isaac  Riggs, 
Nicholas  Hustis  and  Darius  Bates.  The  deacons  were  Joshua 
Haight,  J.  H.  Haldane  and  James  Gage.  The  church  has  at 
present  no  settled  pastor.  The  successive  pastors  were  Rev.  W. 
H.  Phraner,  J.  C.  Vandewater  (whore  signed  April  19th,  1875) 
and  J.  W.  Gonen.  For  a  considerable  portion  of  the  time  the 
church  has  had  stated  supplies. 

The  church  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1855.  The  cost  of  the 
building  was  $6,000.  The  present  membership  is  60.  Among 
the  persons  who  have  been  prominently  connected  with  this 
church  are  Isaac  Riggs,  William  H.  Wells,  John  H.  Haldane, 
Joshua  Haight  and  Nicholas  Hustis.  On  the  15th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1859,  William  H.  Wells  sold  to  these  trustees,  a  lot  on  the 
east  side  of  Morris  avenue  "  provided  no  person  shall  be  buried 
there  either  in  the  earth  or  vault  or  any  way  of  burial." 

Presby'terian  Church. — The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Cold 
Spring,  known  as  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Philipstown, 
was  organized  December  10th,  1828,  by  a  committee  of  the 
Presbytery  of  North  River,  consisting  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Blain, 
Johnson,  Ostrom  and  Welton.  Rev.  James  Ostrom  preached 
from  Psalm  46:4.  The  new  church  consisted  of  the  following 
persons:  Nicholas  Hustis,  Peter  Lewis  De  St.  Croix,  Phebe 
Travis,  Lucy  Candee,  Eunice  Andrews,  Catharine  Rote,  Philenia 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  571 

De  St.  Croix,  Deborah  Chapman.  The  last  named  was  received 
from  the  church  of  Southeast,  N.  Y.  The  others  were  received 
on  confession  of  faith.  The  original  Session  consisted  of  Rev. 
William  Blair,  the  moderator,  and  Peter  L.  De  St.  Croix,  the 
clerk.  Mr.  De  St.  Croix  was  ordained  to  the  eldership,  Janu- 
ary 4th,  1829.  The  Session  was  increased  October  31st,  1829,  by 
the  addition  of  Mr.  George  Leitch,  who  was  received  by  certifi- 
cate, from  the  Spring  Street  Church,  of  New  York,  and  having 
been  an  elder,  was  elected  to  serve  the  Cold  Spring  church  in 
the  same  capacity.  The  next  addition  to  the  Session  was  Mr. 
William  Young,  who  was  ordained  May  2d,  1830.  The  Session 
was  further  increased  on  November  4th,  1832,  by  the  ordina- 
tion of  John  P.  Andrews  and  Oscar  A.  Barker  to  the  ruling 
eldership.  The  present  Session  consists  of  the  pastor,  and  Elders 
John  Groundwater,  LeGrand  K.  Wilson  and  William  Wood* 
Mr.  Wilson  serves  as  clerk. 

Since  the  organization,  the  church  has  been  ministered  to  by 
the  following  clergymen,  either  as  pastors  or  stated  supplies: 
Rev.  William  Blain,  1829-30;  Rev.  Jacob  Helffenstein,  1830-31; 
Rev.  Thomas  Grier,  1832-34;  Rev.  Henry  Barker,  1835-36;  Rev. 
Abijah  Greene,  1839-40;  Rev.  J.  P.  Clark,  1842-47;  Rev.  B.  Van 
KeuTen,  1848-51;  Rev.  S.  W.  Bailey,  1852-53;  Rev.  A.  G.  Gar- 
diner, 1853-65;  Rev.  Fenwick  T.  Williams,  1865-77;  Rev.  Rob- 
ert M.  Brown,  D.D.,  1877-83.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  Thomas 
C.  Straus,  who  was  installed  May  2d,  1884,  is  a  native  of  New 
York,  a  graduate  of  Marietta  College,  class  of  '77,  and  of  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  New  York,  class  of  1881.  The  present 
resident  membership  of  the  church  is  nearly  100.  The  oldest 
survivors  of  those  received  into  the  church  in  its  earlier  years 
are  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marvin  Wilson  The  present  house  of  wor- 
ship is  a  brick  chapel,  of  Gothic  architecture,  situated  on 
Academy  street,  in  the  village  of  Cold  Spring.  This  has  been 
occupied  for  about  nineteen  years.  Rev.  Howard  Crosby,  D.D., 
of  New  York,  preached  at  the  dedicatory  services.  Before  the 
erection  of  the  chapel,  services  were  held  in  the  stone  church, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  River,  which  is'  still  the  property 
of  the  organization.  Besides  these,  the  church  owns  a  parsonage 
on  Purnace  street,  in  the  village  of  Cold  Spring.  The  names  of 
the  officers  of  the  church  corporation  are:  James  Sterling,  pres- 
ident; James  C.  Wood,  secretary;  Thomas  Smythe,  treasurer. 
From  its  organization,  the  church  has  been  connected  with  the 


572  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Presbytery  of  North  River,  and  at  the  time  of  the  division  of 
the  Presbyterian  body  into  the  Old  and  New  School  branches, 
retained  its  connection  with  the  Old  School. 

A  tomb  in  the  old  burying  ground  bears  the  following  inscrip- 
tion: "In  memory  of  Rev.  Thomas  Grier,  late  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  Cold  Spring,  who  died  Aug.  19th, 
1834,  aged  54." 

Roman  Catholic  Church. — The  large  number  of  foreign 
laborers  who  were  employed  in  the  West  Point  Foundry  ren- 
dered it  necessary  to  build  a  church  of  the  denomination  to 
which  they  mostly  belonged.  A  lot  was  given  by  Samuel  and 
Mary  Gouverneur,  May  19th,  1834,  and  here,  on  a  high  rocky 
promontory,  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson  River,  they  proceeded 
to  erect  a  commodious  church.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  F. 
'Caro,  who  remained  for  many  years,  and  removed  to  Pough- 
keepsie  in  1870.  During  the  time  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion, 
the  shock  produced  by  the  discharging. of  the  immense  guns, 
made  at  the  West  Point  Foundry,  injured  the  building  to  such 
an  extent  that  it  became  necessary  to  rebuild  it.  This  was 
done  at  an  expense  of  $8,000  (which  was  defrayed  by  Capt. 
Robert  P.  Parrbtt)  in  August,  1867.  On  November  17th,  the 
new  church  was  dedicated  by  Archbishop  McClosky,  with  great 
ceremony.  A  new  hall  was  duly  consecrated  on  Sunday,  May 
22d,  1870.  The  edifice,  "founded  on  a  rock,"  presents  an  ele- 
gant appearance  from  the  river,  and  the  society  is  large  and 
flourishing. 

Cemeteries  at  Cold  Spring.— Near  the  Town  Hall  is  an 
ancient  burying  ground,  where  "the  rude  forefathers  of  the 
hamlet  sleep,"  and  which  contains  many  headstones,  that  mark 
the  resting  places  of  long  past  generations.  It  was  used  at  a 
time  when  Cold  Spring,  as  a  village,  had  no  existence,  and  con- 
tains the  dust  of  a  population  for  a  wide  district  of  country 
round.  Besides  these,  who  were  among  the  e'arly  residents  of 
the  town,  there  were  buried  in  later  years  a  large  number  of 
Irish,  mostly  workmen  engaged  in  the  works  of  the  West  Point 
Foundry.  One  pleasing  and  interesting  feature  of  the  inscrip- 
tions on  the  tombstones  of  this  race  is  that  they  almost  invari- 
ably record  the  name  of  their  birthplace,  in  their  native 
country.  The  following  list  includes  most  of  the  early  burials. 
Josiah  Mekeel,  died  Nov.  29th,  1849,  aged  80;  Susanna,  wife, 
Oct.  20th,  1854,  81;  Jonathan  Hustis,  Nov.  24th,  1850,  78;  Eliza- 


TOWN   OP  PHILIPSTOWN.  573 

beth,  wife,  Dec.  18th,  1858,  71;  Win.  Davenport,  March  27th, 
1852,  76;  Frances,  wife,  June  28th,  1820,  47;  Thomas  Daven- 
port, born  April  11th,  1750,  died  Jnly,  1790,  40;  Sarah,  wife  of 
John  Snouck,  June  17th,  1818,  35;  Martha,  wife  of  Thomas 
Davenport,  born  Jan.  26th,  1755,  died  April  6th,  1789,  34; 
Thomas  Mekeel,  May  12th,  1842,  75;  Isaac  Davenport,  March 
18th,  1808,  56;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Jan.  18th,  1828,  70;  Isaac  Mead, 
April  13th,  1811,  60;  Sarah,  wife.  May  30th,  1788,  31;  Isaac 
Wright,  April  4th,  1881,  91;  Phebe,  wife,  May  19th,  1836,  31; 
Wm.  Hustis,  June  26th,  1819,  55;  Phebe,  wife,  April  15th, 
1844,  71;  Benj.  Bowne,  Feb.  12th,  1835,  64;  Rachel,  wife,  Feb. 
21st,  1802,  32;  Chauncey  Weeks,  May  28th,  1823,  31;  Sylvanus 
Warren,  born  Nov.  13th,  1799,  died  Feb.  15th,  1859,  60;  Phebe, 
wife,  born  Aug,  18th,  1804,  died  Dec.  5th,  1870,  64;  Cornelius 
Warren,  July  28th,  1849j  59;  Ephraim  Ireland,  Feb.  6th,  1862, 
86;  Tamar,  wife,  Sept.  4th,  1851,  73;  Caroline  Dancanson,  Jan. 
26th,  1811;  Sarah,  wife  of  Alex.  Secor,  April  12th,  1852,  86;  Henry 
Johnston, Oct.  28th,1825,  42;  Thomas  Jaycox,  ?ept.l5th,1854,  63; 
Josiah  Jaycox,  Aug.  23d,  1840,  88;  Esther,  wife,  Oct.  19th,  1848, 
90;  David  Jaycox,  Jan.  12th,1829,  44;  John  Davenport,  July  27th, 
1842,  63;  Mary,  wife,  May  7th,  1817,  37;  Jacob  W.  Crosby,  Aug. 
1st,  1817,  38;  Jane,  wife,  Jan.  25th,  1839,  34;  Frances,  wife  of 
Matthew  Snouck  and  daughter  of  Justus  Nelson,  born  Aug. 
7th,  1759,  died  May  25th,  1820,  60;  Matthew  Snouck,  1831; 
Thomas  Sutton,  March  23d,  1828,  89;  Elizabeth  Hall,  May  26th, 
1842,  67;  Isaac  Harris,  June  4th,  1840,  50;  Morris  Davenport, 
March  19th,  1855,  49;  Esther  Warren,  May  31st,  1876,  88; 
Nicholas  Cronk,  Sept.  29th,  1843,  63;  Seymour  Birdsall,  Aug. 
31st,  1850,  59;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Dec.  8th,  1864,  72;  Rev.  Thomas 
Grier,  Aug,  19th,  1834,  54;  Joshua  Haight,  Oct.  3d,  1858,  64; 
Sarah,  wife,  1851,  59;  James  Nichols,  Dec.  12th,  1841,  63;  Daniel 
Molyneaux,  Feb.  27th,  1849,  72;  Susan,  wife,  July  15th,  1848, 
58;  Jesse  Lawrence,  May  21st,  1858,  87;  Elisha  Nelson,  April 
15th,  1852,  74;  Frances,  wife,  Dec.  26th,  1862,  81;  John  P. 
Warren,  May  14th,  1848,  66;  Isaac  Hustis,  April  10th,  1873,  72; 
Thomas  Davenport,  born  July  3d,  1796,  died  Sept.  28th,  1857, 
61;  Elizabeth  Mekeel,  wife,  May  5th,  1882,  82. 

On  June  21st,  1853,  Frederick  Philipse,  Adolph  N.  and  S.  W. 
Gouverneur  and  William  Moore  conveyed  to  the  wardens  and 
vestry  of  St.  Mary's  Church  in  the  Highlands,  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Philipstown,  the  Third  Methodist  Episcopal 


574  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Church  of  Philipstown,  and  the  First  Baptist  Church,  "  a  lot  on 
Cedar  Street,  as  a  burial  ground  for  all  persons  who  are  or 
may  be  inhabitants  of  Philipstown,  except  the  Religious  de- 
nomination called  Roman  Catholic."  This  lies  opposite  the  old 
burying  ground  before  mentioned.  The  old  burying  ground  ap- 
pears to  be  the  property  of  the  Baptist  and  Presbyterian 
churches.  The  trustees  of  these  churches  conveyed  to  Gen. 
George  P.  Morris,  February  9th,  1860,  a  small  lot  in  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  old  ground,  and  on  this  he  erected  a  tomb, 
where  his  honored  remains  now  rest. 

The  Cold  Spring  Cemetery  Company  was  organized  October 
11th,  1862,  when  Gouverneur  Kemble,  Robert  P.  Parrott, 
Gouverneur  Paulding,  Peter  B.  Lawson,  Osmond  M.  Baxter, 
Edwin  A.  Pelton,  Levi  H.  McCoy,  Charles  Boyd,  William 
Humphrys,  jr.,  and  Elisha  Nelson  were  elected  trustees.  The 
land  for  this  cemetery  was  purchased  of  John  R.  Murray,  De- 
cember 3d,  1862.  This  cemetery  is  beautifully  situated  a  short 
distance  southeast  of  the  village,  and  contains  many  elegant 
monuments  of  prominent  citizens  of  Cold  Spring.  It  was  dedi- 
cated July  1st;  1865,  at  which  time  an  address  was  delivered 
by  Rev.  Wilson  Phraner. 

To  the  east  of  the  village  of  Cold  Spring  is  Nelsonville.  This 
village  derives  its  name  from  Elisha  Nelson,  who  was  born  May 
26th,  1777,  and  died  in  1852.  For  many  years  he  was  a  tenant, 
holding  a  large  farm  under  the  Gouverneur  family.  His  house 
was  on  the  south  side  of  the  present  Main  street,  and  east  of  the 
road  to  Garrison's.  The  West  Point  Foundry  stands  on  a  part 
of  this  farm.  He  afterward  leased  a  piece  of  land  on  the  north 
side  of  the  road,  opposite  to  his  first  residence,  and  built  a  house 
on  it,  which  was  the  first  in  that  neighborhood.  He  then 
bought  three  acres  and  built  another  house  a  short  distance 
west  of  the  former  one,  and  now  owned  by  John  Lott.  The 
fourth  house,  next  west,  was  built  by  Joshua  Purdy,  the  next 
by  Miles  Brunnell  and  the  next  to  this  by  Elihu  Baxter. 
Another  house  on  the  same  side  of  the  street  was  built  by 
Lewis  Squires,  and  when  this  house  was  raised  a  speech  was 
made  by  Elihu  Baxter,  in  which  he  named  the  new  village,  ' '  Nel- 
sonville,"  a  title  which  it  has  since  retained.  The  land  owned 
by  Elisha  Nelson  extended  west  as  far  as  Pearl  street.  The 
village  grew  with  the  growth  of  Cold  Spring  and  is  now  a  thickly 
settled  neighborhood. 


TOWN    OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  i"i75 

West  Point  Iron  Compant.— The  land  on  which  the  iron 
furnace  in  Cold  Spring  stands  was  sold  by  Frederick  Philipse 
and  others,  to  Paul  S.  Forbes,  of  New  York,  September  22d, 
1862.  He  had  previously  purchased  (January  2d,  1860)  from 
Frederick  Philipse  and  the  Gouverneurs,  a  tract  of  1,061  acres 
in  Philipstown  and  Putnam  Valley,  where  the  mine  was 
opened,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Philipstown  Turnpike.  This 
tract  was  sold  to  Frederick  Philipse  by  Joseph  Parks  and 
others,  in  1817,  and  he  also  purchased  several  smaller  tracts  ad- 
joining the  same.  Mr.  Forbes  began  developing  the  mine,  and 
built  a  narrow  gauge  railroad  from  the  mine  to  a  point  on  the 
Philipstown  Turnpike,  in  the  early  part  of  1862,  the  railroad 
running  for  a  part  of  'the  way  through  the  land  of  Samuel 
Agustus  Hamilton,  formerly  belonging  to  Col.  Alexander 
Stewart.  Mr.  Forbes  sold  undivided  shares  to  Henry  W. 
Warden  and  George  Griswold,  and  the  premises  in  Cold  Spring 
were  conveyed  to  Edward  Beck,  in  1865.  The  shares  in  the 
mines  and  tracts  of  land  in  Philipstown  and  Putnam  Valley, 
which  belonged  to  Mr.  Forbes,  were  sold  by  him  to  the  Phila- 
delphia and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company,  June  4th,  1874, 
and  still  remain  in  their  possession. 

The  West  Point  Iron  Company  sold  the  premises  at  Cold 
Spring,  to  John  P.  Brock,  of  Philadelphia,  and  others,  March 
15th,  1880,  for  $105,000,  and  they  conveyed  it  to  the  "West 
Point  Furnace  Company"  May  4th  of  the  same  year. 

The  West  Point  Iron  Company  was  incorpoi'ated  in  1866,  the 
company  being  Charles  C.  Alger,  George  H.  Potts  and  Frederick 
A.  Potts;  the  object  being  to  "mine  iron  and  other  mineral  sub- 
stances, and  smelting,  manufacturing  iron,  &c.,"  the  capital 
stock  to  be  $500,000. 

The  West  Point  Furnace  Company  was  incorporated  in  1880, 
the  incorporators  being  Joseph  C.  Kent,  of  Philipsburg,  N.  J., 
J.  W.  Pullman,  Richard  George  and  others;  the  object  of  this 
company  being  the  same  as  the  former  one.  The  capital  is 
$215,000. 

A  tract  of  1,000  acres  lying  in  this  town,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Philipstown  Turnpike,  was  owned  in  the  early  part  of 
this  century  by  Col.  Alexander  Stewart,  and  was  sold  to  James 
Agustus  Hamilton.  He  sold  it  to  George  H.  Potts,  June  1st, 
1864,  and  it  was  conveyed  by  him  to  the  West  Point  Iron  Com- 
pany, in  1866. 


576  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTi'. 

Union  Chapel,  Mekeel's  Cokners.— This  chapel  was  be- 
gun in  September,  1867,  and  finished  in  the  following  No- 
vember. It  stands  on  the  site  of  an  old  blacksmith  shop  which 
had  been  there  for  many  years.  December  28th,  1867,  Thomas 
Mekeel  sold  to  Milton  Smith,  Darius  Wallace,  Thomas  Jay- 
cox,  Sylvanus  Mekeel,  Trustees  "a  piece  of  land  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  old  Post  road  and  Carmel  road,  at  Griffin's  Cor- 
ners." James  Smith  sold  a  piece,  south  of  the  above,  for  the 
same  purpose,  January  2d,  1868.  This  chapel  was  dedicated 
December  26th,  1867. 

Constitution  Island. — This  rocky  island,  which  is  separated 
from  the  main  land  by  a  wide  extent  of  marsh,  was  in  early 
times  known  as  "Martelaer's  Rock,"  and  is  said  to  have  derived 
its  name  from  a  Frenchman  named  Martelaer,  who  resided  there 
with  his  family.  Of  this,  however,  no  proof  can  be  found. 
The  island  itself  probably  includes  250  acres  of  land  or  rock, 
while  the  marsh  is  equally  extensive.  At  the  time  of  the  Revo- 
lution, this  island,  like  all  the  rest  of  the  estate  of  Philip 
Philipse,  was  the  undivided  property  of  his  widow,  Margaret 
Ogilvie,  and  her  children.  The  Continental  Congress  saw  the 
necessity  of  fortifying  this  point,  and  sent  the  following  letter 
to  Col.  Beverly  Robinson,  whom  they  evidently  supposed  to  be 
the  owner: 

"In  Committee  of  Safety  Sept.  19,  1775. 
"Sir 

"By  order  of  the  Continental  Congress,  founded  on  the  ne- 
cessity of  the  present  times,  the  Provincial  Congress  of  this 
Colony  has  undertaken  to  erect  a  fortification  on  your  land  op- 
posite to  the  West  Point  in  the  Highlands.  As  the  Provincial 
Congress  by  no  means  intend  to  invade  private  property,  this 
Committee  in  their  recess  have  thought  proper  to  request  you 
to  put  a  reasonable  price  upon  the  whole  point  of  dry  land  or 
island,  called  Martelaer's  rock  island:  which  price  if  they  ap- 
prove of  it,  they  are  ready  to  pay  you  for  it. 

"  We  are  sir  your  humble  Servants. 

"To  Beverly  Robinson,  Esq.,  at  his  seat  in  the  Highlands." 

"In  Provincial  Congress,  New  York,  6th  October,  1775.  A 
letter  from  Beverly  Robinson,  Esq.,  was  read  and  filed,  and  is 
in  the  following  words,  to  wit: 


TOWN    OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  577 

■     "  "Highlands  Oct.  2nd,  1775. 

"Sir 

"  Your  letter  of  the  nineteenth  of  September  I  received  a  few 
days  ago,  in  answer  to  which  I  must  inform  you  that  the  point 
of  land  on  which  the  fort  is  erecting  does  not  belong  to  me  but 
is  the  property  of  Mrs.  Ogilvie  and  her  children.  Was  it  mine, 
the  public  should  be  extremely  welcome  to  it.  The  building  a 
fort  there  can  be  no  disadvantage  to  the  small  quantity  of  arable 
land  on  the  island.  I  have  only  a  proportion  of  the  meadow 
land  that  lays  on  the  east  side  of  the  island. 

"  I  am  your  most  humble  Servant, 

"  Bev.  Robinson." 

The  operations  for  building  the  fortifications  were  begun  on 
the  29th  of  August,  and  a  fort  erected,  which  was  named  Con- 
stitution, and  the  island  has  ever  since  borne  the  name.  A  plan 
of  this  fort  is  given  in  Lossing's  "Field  Book  of  the  Revo- 
lution," Vol.  I.,  P.  703.  In  his  work,  Mr.  Lossing  has  fallen 
into  the  error  of  calling  Mrs.  Ogilvie  "  the  widow  of  Captain 
Ogilvie  of  the  British  army."  She  was  the  widow  of  Rev.  John 
Ogilvie,  D.  D.,  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.  The  fort  and  the  out 
works  were  quite  extensive,  and  remains  of  them  are  still  plainly 
visible.  A  strong  chain  was  stretched  across  the  river  in 
1780.  The  fortifications  were  abandoned  in  1777,  when  Forts 
Clinton  and  Montgomery  were  taken,  but  were  afterward  re- 
paired and  enlarged,  at  the  same  time  the  strong  fortifications 
were  erected  at  West  Point.  A  fine  sketch  of  the  island,  with 
the  fortifications  and  encampments,  made  by  Major  L' Enfant  in 
1780,    may  be  found  in  the  History  of  West  Point. 

Constitution  Island  continued  in  possession  of  the  Philipse 
family  till  November  3d,  1836,  when  it  was  sold  by  Samuel 
Gouverneur  and  wife  to  Henry  W.  Warner,  Esq.,  a  lawyer  from 
Long  Island,  for  the  sum  of  $4,800.  Upon  this  island  Mr. 
Warner  made  his  home,  commencing  improvements  on  an^  ex- 
tensive scale,  and  erecting  a  beautiful  country  seat,  which  he 
named  "Wood  Crag."  Constitution  Island  has  been  famous 
in  modern  times  as  the  residence  of  the  well  known  authoresses, 
Susan  B.  and  Annie  M.  Warner,  daughters  of  its  former  owner. 
In  1850  appeared  the  celebrated  novel  "The  Wide,  Wide 
World,"  and  its  popularity  has  been  exceeded  by  few  works 
written  in  America.  Over  300,000  copies  of  this  book  were  sold 
and  30  editions  were  issued  in  England. 
37 


578  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  meadow  or  marsh  which  lies  on  the  east  of  Constitution 
Island,  was  divided  into  three  parts,  among  the  owners  of 
Philipse  Patent  in  1754,  and  described  in  the  partition  deeds. 
After  the  Revolution  Martha  Wilteey  purchased  19  acres  "north 
of  Constitution  Island,"  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures, 
and  Solomon  Cornell  is  recorded  as  purchasing  8  acres  more. 
The  greater  part  now  belongs  to  the  foundry  company. 

North  Part  of  Philipstown. — The  northern  part  of  this 
town  is  embraced  in  the  limits  of  Lot  3  of  the  Philipse  Patent, 
which  was  the  property  of  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife.  The 
boundaries  of  this  lot  will  be  found  in  ther  partition  deeds  given 
in  a  former  (portion  of  this  work.  At  what  time  settlements 
were  first  made  in  this  neighborhood  is  unknown,  but  probably 
there  were  none  before  1740. 

Blake,  in  his  History  of  Putnam  County,  says:  "The  first 
settlement  in  this  part  of  Philipstown  was  made  by  David 
Hustis,  who  came  from  England  and  settled  about  half  a  mile 
north  of  the  Highland  Church,  on  the  road  from  Cold  Spring  to 
Fishkill,and  where  David  Hustis  resides  (1849).  He  settled  down 
with  the  Indians  around  him  and  procured  the  corn  which  he 
first  planted  from  them.  He  was  the  first  of  the  name  and  the 
ancestor  of  the  Hustis  family  in  this  town.  He  became  a  tenant 
at  will  of  the  patentee,  and  rented  310  acres  of  land  at  a  rent  of 
five  pounds  per  annum.  His  nearest  neighbor  was  three  miles 
distant,  to  whom  he  was  compelled  to  go  a  few  days  after  his 
arrival  to  procure  fire,  his  own,  from  neglect,  having  gone  out." 

The  families  of  Haight,  Bloomer  and  Wilson  came  shortly 
after.  David  Hustis  was  one  of  the  commissioners  for  laying 
out  the  first  roads,  in  the  south  part  of  Dutchess  <^ounty,  in 
1744. 

The  families  who  were  here  as  tenants  before  the  Revolution 
became  landlords  after  it  by  purchasing  their  farms  from  the 
commissioners  of  forfeitures.  Among  the  larger  landholders 
was  Daniel  Ter  Boss,  who  purchased  about  1,500  acres  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  lot.  Benjamin  Bloomer  had  340  acres  in 
•the  western  part,  Isaac  Springer  had  a  smaller  tract,  with  a  saw 
mill,  probably  on  the  brook  called  Margaret's  Falls,  and  this  he 
gave  to  his  son  Isaac  about  1790.  Nathaniel  Anderson  had  260 
acres.  John  Haight  had  256  acres  on  the  east  side  of  the  Post 
road  near  the  north  line  of  the  lot. 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWJST.  579 

Martin  Wiltsie  had  a  tract  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  lot, 
described  as  "beginning  at  the  mouth  of  a  brook  in  Hudson's 
River,  and  running  up  the  brook  along  Bloomer's  land,  then 
south  31  chains  to  the  south  bounds  of  Roger  Morris  Lot,  and 
along  the  said  bounds  to  the  river,  and  northward  along  the 
river  ten  chains  to  place  of  beginning."  Gilbert  Bloomer  had 
298  acres  immediately  north  of  this,  extending  along  the  river. 
Among  the  early  settlers  was  a  family  named  Jaycox,  whose 
descendants  have  been  quite  numerous.  The  reader  is  referred 
to  the  list  of  taxable  inhabitants  in  1777,  which  may  be  found 
in  the  chapter  on  population,  for  a  complete  list  of  residents 
before  the  Revolution. 

As  this  part  of  the  town  was  originally  the  property  of  Col. 
Roger  Morris  and  his  wife,  the  early  inhabitants  held  their 
lands  as  tenants  under  them.  Of  the  survey  and  division  of 
these  lands,  previous  to  the  Revolution,  we  have  no  knowledge, 
but  most  of  the  purchasers  of  farms  after  the  war  were  those 
who  had  previously  been  in  possession. 

The  general  surface  of  this  part  of  the  town  is  rough  and 
mountainous,  the  highest  elevation  being  Breakneck  Mountain, 
whose  rocky  summit  towers  to  a  lofty  height.  On  the  south 
side  of  the  peak  and  near  the  highest  point,  was  formerly  a  vast 
mass  of  rock,  which  bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  profile 
of  a  human  head  jutting  out  from  the  mountains,  and  it  was 
generally  called  "  St.  Anthony's  face",  and  seemed  to  be  gazing 
over  the  rocky  battlements  at  the  eternal  ebb  and  flow  of  the 
river  that  rolled  beneath.  Thousands  of  travellers  on  the  Hud- 
son turned  their  gaze  with  awe  and  wonder  at  this  marvellous 
curiosity  of  nature  which,  carved  as  it  was  in  the  everlasting 
rock,  miglft  seem  likely  to  last  as  long  as  the  world  should  en- 
dure. In  the  summer  of  1846  Capt.  Deering  Ayres,  who  was 
engaged  in  furnishing  stone  for  the  Harlem  High  Bridge,  at  one 
blast  detached  an  immense  block  of  granite,  weighing  nearly 
two  thousand  tons,  and  shivered  to  atoms  the  majestic  brow  and 
weather  beaten  features  of  the  stony  monarch  of  the  mountain. 
It  would  seem  as  if  nature  had  determined  to  avenge  the  de- 
struction of  her  wondrous  work,  for  some  months  afterward 
Ayres  himself  was  killed  by  the  very  means  which  had  hurled 
St.  Anthony  from  his  rocky  throne.  While  engaged  in  blasting 
rock  on  Staten  Island  he  set  fire  to  a  fuse  which  failed  to  ex- 
plode the  charge.     Upon  his  return  to  it  the  blast  went  off  un- 


580  HISTOKY   or  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

expectedly,  and  the  blaster  of  St.  Anthony's  face  was  blown 
into  a  hundred  fragments. 

As  all  this  section  of  the  town  is  included  in  the  lands  once 
owned  by  Col.  Eoger  Morris,  perhaps  no  more  suitable  place 
could  be  found  for  a  mention  of  this  celebrated  man. 

CoL.  Roger  Morris,  whose  name  must  ever  be  connected 
with  the  history  of  the  county,  was  a  descendant  from  Cadigan, 
of  Philip  Dorddw,  a  powerful  Welch  chieftain,  in  high  favor 
with  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  and  the  Earl  of  Pembroke.  His  father, 
Roger  Morris,  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  Peter  Jackson, 
Kt.,  Turkey  merchant  of  London.  He  died  January  13th,  1748. 
His  third  son  was  Col.  Roger  Morris,  who  was  born  January 
28th,  1727,  and  entering  the  British  army,  rose  to  the  rank  of 
lieutenant- colonel.  He  served  with  distinction,  and  was  with 
General  Braddock  in  the  fatal  battle  of  Monongahela,  escaping 
with  his  life,  although  severely  wounded.  Colonel  Morris  af- 
terward settled  in  New  York,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolution  was  a  member  of  the  Council  for  the  colony,  and 
continued  in  office  till  the  peace. 

His  acquaintance  with  Mary  Philipse  resulted  in  the  mar- 
riage, which  was  solemnized  at  her  father's  residence,  the  old 
Manor  House  at  Yonkers,  January  19th,  1758.  In  the  upper 
part  of  New  York  city,  at  169th  street,  and  a  little  below  High 
Bridge,  stands  an  elegant  mansion,  built  in  the  olden  time. 
This  was  the  country  residence  of  Colonel  Morris,  and  here  for 
many  years  he  and  the  partner  of  his  joys  lived  a  life  that  com- 
ported with  their  ample  means  and  high  social  station,  little 
dreaming  of  the  time  to  come, 


"rt-^ 


areaming  oi  me  iime  to  come,  ^              „ 

when  they  should  be  exiles  in  t/^^  e^  /yZ^^T-,    ^ 

a  foreign  land.      After    the  -^^ 

Revolution,      this    mansion,  (^     ^ 

like  the  rest  of  the  property  /yy/a  ^y         ^/f  y*^' 

of    Colonel    Morris   and    his  >V6^^     (LrA^Zy^t/^ 

wife,    was    confiscated     and  ^ 

afterward    passed    into    the  -                    /'">'     >« 

hands  of  Madame  Jumel,  the  ^ ..  y^r/yt/?  (jAa.^  ^  jam 

second  wife  of  Aaron  Burr,  M)M^€  .//m^^^^ 

and  as  the  "  Jumel  Mansion "  ^          ^f'^^'li' 
it  has  been  famous  to  modern  times. 
The   tale  which    has    for  many    years    been    industriously 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  581 

circulated,  and  copied  and  re-copied  in  newspaper  and 
magazine  articles  without  number,  narrating  that  no 
less  a  personage  than  Washington  was  enamoured  with 
the  beauty  of  the  i!air  daughter  of  Frederick  Philipse, 
and  oJBfered  his  heart  and  hand  in  marriage  to  the  lovely 
charmer,  an  offer  which  was  declined  on  account  of  her 
affection  having  already  been  won  by  the  companion  in  arms 
who  had  with  him  fought  on  Braddock's  fatal  field,  and  escaped 
its  dangers;  and  that  in  after  times,  she,  in  company  with  her 
brother-in-law,  Beverly  Robinson,  sought  him  in  disguise,  to 
Intercede  in  behalf  of  the  doomed  Andre,  and  when,  after  a 
vain  appeal  had  been  made  by  her  companion,  in  which  he  had 
invoked  the  sacred  claim  of  early  friendship  and  received  a 
stern  denial,  she,  throwing  off  her  disguise,  revealed  the  face 
whose  charms  had  once  moved  his  soul,  but  found  too  late  that 
her  power  was  gone  and  that  the  shadow  of  the  past  had  no 
influence  to  sway  the  mind  of  the  man  who  held  in  his  hands 
the  destinies  of  a  nation — all  this  originated  in  the  fertile  brain 
of  a  romance  writer,  and  has  no  place  in  sober  history.' 

With  the  close  of  the  war  came  the  Act  of  Attainder,  by 
which  the  vast  estate  of  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife  was  confis- 
cated, and  they  themselves  compelled  to  flee  to  England  as 
exiles,  under  pain  of  death  if  they  returned.  Of  their  life  in 
exile  but  little  is  known.  Colonel  Morris  died  in  1794.  His 
wife  survived  him  many  years  and  died  in  1825.  They  were 
buried  in  the  vault  of  St.  Saviour's  Church,  in  York,  and  a 
marble  tablet  bears  the  following  inscription: 

NEAR  THIS  SPOT  ARE  DEPOSITED   THE  REMAINS  OF 

COL.   ROGER  MORRIS 

FORMERLY  OF    HIS    MAJESTY'S    47TH    KEQIMKNT    OP    FOOT,    WHO    DEPARTED    THIS 

LIFE  ON  THE  13tH  DAY  OP  SEPTEMBER,    1794,  IN  THE  68TH  YEAR  OP  HIS  AGE. 

AND    OP 

MARY  MORRIS 

RELICT  OP  THE  SAME 

WHO   DEPARTED   THIS  LIFE   ON  THE   18TH   DAY  OP    JULY,    1825,    IN    THE   71ST  YEAR 

OP  HER  AGE. 

Colonel  Morris  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Joanna,  wife  of  Thomas  Cowper  Hincks;  Amherst,  who  died 
unmarried  in  1802;  Margaret,  who  died  in  1766,  aged  2  years; 
Maria  and  Henry  Gage. 

Henry  Gage  Morris  was  born  in  New  York  in  1770.     He  was 

'The  story  first  appeared  in  the  "Telegraph,"  printed  in  New  Jersey,  1848. 


582  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

an  officer  in  the  British  Navy,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  rear  ad- 
miral. In  1805,  he  married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  P.  Orpen,  of 
the  Church  ot  England.  He  died  in  1851,  leaving  six  sons: 
Rev.  Francis  Orpen  Morris,  Rector  of  Burholme,  Yorkshire, 
Eng. ;  Henry  Gage  Morris,  an  officer  in  the  British  Navy;  Fred- 
erick Philipse  Morris,  Barrister,  of  Lincoln  Inn;  Beverly  Rob- 
inson Morris,  M.D.,  Nottingham,  Eng.;  Rev.  Adolphu.s  Philipse 
Morris,  of  Leeds,  Eng. ;  Charles  D'  Urban  Morris. 

The  only  one  of  these  who  lived  in  America  was  Prof .  Charles 
D' Urban  Morris.  He  was  born  in  Charmouth,  Dorset,  Eng., 
February  17th,  1837,  and  received  his  collegiate  training  in  the 
University  of  Oxford.  As  a  student  of  Lincoln  College, he  was 
admitted  to  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1849,  and  three 
years  later  became  a  Master  of  Arts  and  a  Fellow  of  Oriel  Col- 
lege. He  came  to  this  cowntrj''  in  1853,  and  was  for  a  time 
rector  of  Trinity  School,  in  New  York,  and  subsequently  mas- 
ter of  a  school  at  Lake  Mohegan.  He  was  then  made  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  University  of  the  City  of  Ne^v  York,  and  in  1876 
was  called  to  the  professorship  of  Latin  and  Greek,  in  the  John 
Hopkins  University,  Baltimore.  Prof.  Morris  was  the  author 
of  a  Latin  Grammar,  and  an  Attic  Greek  Grammar,  in  which 
were  some  original  views  of  the  proper  methods  of  teaching  the 
elements  of  those  languages,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
nearly  ready  to  publish  an  edition  of  the  first  book  of 
Thncydides. 

Professor  Morris  died  at  Baltimore  February  7th,  1886,  and  is 
buried  in  St.  Paul's  grave  yard,  of  that  city.  He  married  Miss 
Jane  Webb  Shaw,  daughter  of  the  late  Oliver  Shaw,  of  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.    She  survives  her  husband.    They  had  no  children. 

Old  Highland  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.— On  the 
old  Post  road,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  is  situated  the 
Old  Highland  Methodist  Church,  which  is  the  oldest  society  of 
that  denomination  in  this  section  of  the  county.  In  the  book 
of  records  is  found  the  following  sketch,  which  is  gladly  given 
in  full.  It  seems  to  have  been  prepared  by  the  pastor  in  charge 
in  1880. 

The  land  on  which  the  old  church  stood,  and  where  the  present 
edifice  stands,  was  conveyed  by  Robert  Hustis  to  Timothy  Wood, 
Justus  Nelson  and  James  Wright  as  trustees  January  10th, 
1824,  the  church  having  been  built  upon  it  many  years  before. 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  583 

The  parsonage  house  was  originally  owned  by  Rachel  Warren, 
and  bought  by  the  church  from  Caleb  Hawkes. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  road  and  opposite  the  parsonage,  was 
in  old  times  the  house  of  John  Davenport.  Here  he  kept  a 
tavern  or  house  of  entertainment  for  many  years,  and  his  place, 
at  the  junction  of  two  important  roads,  was  a  great  resort  in 
days  gone  by,  and  the  locality  for  long  years  bore  the  name  of 
"  Davenport's  Corners." 

"A  brief  Sketch  of  North  Highlands  M.  E.  Church. 

"  As  near  as  I  can  ascertain  from  present  residents  the  old 
church  was  erected  in  1811. 

' '  Mr.  James  Cargill  came  into  this  place  in  1812,  and  the 
church  was  then  built.  The  people  worshiped  in  the  rude  struc- 
ture, which  was  without  walls,  and  slabs  for  seats.  In  1852  or 
1854,  it  was  repaired  by  Mr.  Wm.  A.  Ladue,  and  greatly  im- 
proved, and  was  made  more  pleasant  as  a  place  of  worship. 

"Mrs.  Phebe  Hill,  who  died  Jan.  31st,  1871,  was  a  great  lover 
of  the  church  and  bequeathed  to  it,  in  her  last  will  and  testament, 
One  Thousand  Dollars  to  be  placed  at  interest,  so  that  the  amount 
could  be  available,  when  the  trustees  should  desire  to  build  a 
new  church  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  old  one. 

"  In  April,  1877,  R.  M.  Robert  was  appointed  to  the  charge. 
He  found  an  old  church  dilapidated,  people  discouraged,  and 
with  little  ambition,  looking  on  the  dark  side,  with  but  little 
hope  of  ever  seeing  the  bright.  From  the  commencement  the 
Lord  seemed  to  work  with  pastor  and  people,  and  they  began 
to  hope  for  better  times,  and  sincerely  wished  they  might  see  a 
new  structure  in  place  of  the  old.  The  pastor  consulted  with 
the  stewards  and  trustees,  and  the  result  of  the  conference  was 
a  decision  that  the  pastor  should  secure  all  he  could  on  sub- 
scription. In  August,  1878,  sufficient  had  been  secured  on  sub- 
scription to  encourage  the  trustees  to  go  forward  with  the  enter- 
prise. August  30th,  the  contract  was  let  to  Mr.  William  H. 
Ladue  to  erect  church  and  sheds,  after  plans  drawn  by  himself, 
for  $5,160. 

"  The  following  composed  the  Board  of  Trustees,  who  signed 
the  contract:  Thomas  Mekeel,  John  Wallace,  James  Smith, 
Charles  B.  Warren,  William  0.  Jaycox,  Samuel  Hustis  and  Wil- 
liam J.  Meeks. 

"  September  15th  was  the  last  Sabbath  in  the  old  church,  a 
pleasant  Sabbath  and  a  pleasant  and  profitable  time.     The  Lord 


584  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

was  with  his  people.  The  week  previous,  the  old  church  had 
been  sold  at  auction  to  Mr.  Milton  Smith,  who  converted  it  into 
a  hg,y  barn.  Monday  morning,  September  16th,  bright  and 
early,  he  commenced  to  dismantle  the  old  church.  On  the  10th 
of  October,  at  2:30  P.  M.,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse 
of  people,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid  by  the 
P.  E.,  A.  K.  Sanford,  after  an  appropriate  address  by  Rev.  C. 
R.  North,  of  Poughkeepsie. 

"  Wednesday,  January  4th,  1879,  was  set  apart  as  the  Day 
of  Dedication.  The  sun  rolled  up  in  his  chariot,  surrounded 
by  dense  clouds,  and  the  face  of  the  whole  earth  was  well 
,  watered,  to  the  great  discouragement  of  the  people.  In  answer 
to  prayer,  doubtless,  the  clouds  cleared  away  before  time  for 
service,  and  the  people  filled  the  building,  and  were  satisfied 
with  the  new  and  beautiful  structure,  so  neatly  furnished:  man- 
ifest in  the  approving  looks  and  remarks  of  every  one. 

"  We  found  upon  examination,  that  it  was  necessary  to  secure 
$600  to  meet  the  indebtedness  on  the  building.  Rev.  J.  P 
Newman  preached  in  the  morning,  on  the  necessity  of  a  spiritual 
birth,-  as  set  forth  in  the  conversation  of  Christ,  with  Nico- 
demus,  John  III.  3.  In  the  evening  the  Past  Elder  preached 
and  the  people  gave  the  balance  of  the  $600,  needed  to  meet  the 
indebtedness  on  the  church.  After  the  full  amount  was  secured, 
the  church  was  dedicated  by  the  P.  Elder.  The  following  are 
the  names  of  the  contributors,  and  the  amount  given  by  each: 
Phebe  Hill's  Legacy  and  Int.,  $1300;  John  Wallace,  200;  Jas. 
Smith,  200;  Samuel  Hustis,  300;  Mrs.  E.  A.  Hustis,  100;  Marth. 
I.  Hustis,  150;  Jas.  Meeks,  100;  Tho.  Mekeel,  100;  Milton  Smith, 
100;  Wm.  G.  Hustis,  300;  W.  A.  Ladue,  300;  Mrs.  Arvis 
Haight,  100;  J.  Y.  Dykman,  25;  Lewis  Christian,  25;  Jacob 
Haight,  25;  Elizabeth  Haight,  25;  Jas.  Mekeel,  25;  Cornelius  J. 
Organ,  25;  Redmond  Ashmond,  25;  Susan  A.  Haight,  25;  J.  &A. 
Mosher,  26;  Wm.  0.  Jaycox,  25;  Wm.  H.  Jaycox,  25;  Leonard 
Ferris,  25;  Wm.  Haight,  20;  Sarah  Wright,  20;  Uriah  Mekeel, 
10;  O.  M.  Baxter,  10;  Wm.  Knapp,  100;  Jas.  E.  Jaycox,  100: 
David  MoflEatt,  100;  Tho.  W.  Jaycox,  50;  Chas.  B.  Warren,  50; 
Wm.  J.  Horton,  50;  Harvey  Hustis,  50;  Arvy  Hill,  50;  Margaret 
Knapp,  50;  A.  Healy,  50;  E.  Nelson,  50;  Sylvanus  Mekeel,  25; 
Beverly  Haight,  10;  Chloe  Barrett,  10:  Sarah  Wheeler,  10; 
David  Haight,  10;  Wm.  H.  Rich,  10;  Levi  Ladue,  10;  Albert 
Jaycox,    15;    Jas.    Smith,    5;  Charity   Haight,  3;  Deborah   N. 


TOWN   OP  PHILIPSTOWN.  585 

Haight,  2;  An  Bell.  1;  legacy,  Miss  Charity  Hustis,  90;  cash  de- 
posited in  bank,  53.75;  sale  of  old  church,  52;  Henry  Knapp,  8; 
E.  Denney,  10;  cash,  dedication,  94.07;  since  dedicated,  396.55." 
The  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  G.  Price,  was  born  in  New 
Brunswick,  of  Episcopal  parents,  and  was  converted  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  1866,  and  called  to  the  ministry.  He  was  educated  in 
this  country,  and  attended  the  following  schools:  in  1869,  the 
Lawrence  University;  1771-72,  East  Grreenwich  Academy;  1873- 
76,  in  Tillon  JST.  H.  (the  New  Hampshire  Conference  Seminary 
and  Female  College)  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1876;  entered 
Boston  the  same  year,  and  graduated  from  the  Boston  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  the  class  of  1879.  He  joined  the  Northern 
New  York  Conference  in  1880,  and  was  transferred  by  Bishop 
Henry  W.  Warren,  D.  D.,  to  the  New  York  Conference  and 
stationed  at  North  Highlands,  April  10th,  1885. 

The  northeastern  part  of  this  town  is  the  north  end  of  Lot  No. 
4  of  Philijjse  Patent,  and  generally  known  as  "Beverly  Robin- 
son's Long  Lot."  This  portion  of  the  town  is  mountainous, 
and  thinly  inhabited.  The  eastern  part  was  annexed  to  the 
town  of  Kent  a  few  years  since,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  history 
of  that  town.  A  tract  of  1,100  acres  of  woodland,  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Slenandooh  and  Wicopee  roads,  was  sold  to  the 
Fishkill  Iron  Company,  in  1838,  and  the  iron  ore  and  tract  in 
the  north  part  of  the  town  was  sold  to  the  same  company  by 
William  Bushnell,  in  1864. 

The  Fishkill  Iron  Company  was  incorporated  by  Act  of  Legis- 
lature March  24th,  1834,  and  bj'  its  provisions,  James  Emott, 
Nathaniel  P.  Talmadge,  Walter  Cunningham,  James  Hooker, 
Ira  Spooner,  Samuel  B.  Halsey,  Rufus  Fuller,  Nathaniel  P 
Perry,  Uriah  Gregory,  Solomon  V.  Frost,  Aaron  Frost,  Teumis 
Brinkerhoff,  Richard  De  Witt,  Andrew  Stockholm,  John  W 
Brinkerhoff  and  Abner  W.  Spooner,  were  made  a  corporation 
"  for  the  purpose  of  mining  and  working  ores  and  manufactur- 
ing iron  and  steel,  and  were  empowered  to  purchase  and  lease 
lands  and  all  convenient  wood,  timber  and  other  lands,  in  the 
Counties  of  Dutchess  and  Putnam." 

Abraham  Wagner,  an  old  man  80  years  of  age,  was 
murdered  by  G.  George  Denny,  a  youth  of  eighteen.  The  vic- 
tim lived  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  in  a  log  house,  on  a 
small  parcel  of  ground  which  he  cultivated.      The  murderer 


586  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

was  arrested,  and  being  tried  at  the  March  term  of  Court,  was 
convicted.  He  afterward  made  a  full  confession,  and  was  ex- 
ecuted on  the  26th  of  July  following. 

On  the  27th  of  July,  1870,  Mr.  W.  A.  Browning,  the  agent  of 
the  Fishkill  National  Bank,  was  in  the  village  of  Cold  Spring. 
While  going  to  the  railroad  station  with  a  large  amount  of 
money  in  his  possession  he  was  attacked  by  one  John  P. 
Trumpbour,  who,  knowing  that  Mr.  Browning  was  carrying  the 
money,  made  a  desperate  effort  to  rob  him.  Shaking  off  his 
assailant,  and  raising  an  alarm,  several  citizens  rushed  to  his 
assistance,  and  Mr.  Browning  retained  possession  of  the  funds 
he  was  carrying.  The  robber,  in  attempting  to  escape,  was 
seized  by  Elijah  Jones,  a  Coachman  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  H.  H. 
Munsell.  Trumpbour  drew  a  revolver  and  shot  Mr.  Jones  who 
died  the  following  day.  Trumpbour  was  arrested  and  upon 
trial  was  convicted  of  murder  in  the  second  degree,  and  was 
sentenced  to  the  State  Prison  for  life,  where  he  is  still  under- 
going the  sentence.  Elijah  Jones,  the  victim,  was  a  Pole,  a 
native  of  Warsaw.  The  officers  of  the  Fishkill  Bank,  in  recog- 
nition of  the  services,  defrayed  the  expenses  of  his  funeral,  and 
erected  a  monument  to  his  memory  in  the  Fishkill  Cemetery. 

Supervisors  of  Philipstown. — George  Lane,  1784-6;  John 
Haight,  1787-9;  Joshua  Nelson,  1790-1;  John  Haight,  1792-3; 
Johua  Horton,  1794-5;  John  Haight,  1796;  Joshua  Horton, 
1797;  Harry  Garrison,  1798;  Joshua  Horton,  1799-1800;  John 
Warren,  1801-2;  Jacob  Nelson,  1803^;  John  Warren,  1805-6; 
James  Slattery,  1807-10;  Jonathan  Ferris,  1811-12;  Harry  Gar 
rison,  1813;  Edward  Buckbee,  1814-16;  Harry  Garrison,  1817- 
18;  David  Knapp,  1819-21;  Cyrus  Horton,  1822-23;  Abm.  Smith, 
1824;  Isaac  Horton,  1825;  John  Garrison,  1828-34;  Silvenus 
Warren,  1835-40;  John  Garrison,  1841;  Silvenus  Warren,  1842; 
George  Wright,  1843;  Silvenus  Warren,  1844;  Gouverneur 
Kemble,  1845;  Caleb  Hustis,  1846-48;  Samuel  Hustis,  1849; 
Lewis  Birdsall,  1850;  John  Gari'ison,  1851;  Alfred  H.  Ladue, 
1852;  William  Birdsall,  1853-54;  Edwin  A.  vPelton,  1855-57; 
Silvenus  Warren,  1858;  Charles  T.  Brewster,  1859-60;  Charles 
Boyd.  1861-62;  Robert  Wilson,  1863;  Jeremiah  Sherwood, 
1864;  Colin  Tolmie,  1865;  Osmond  M.  Baxter,  1866;  Joshua 
H.  Perry,  1867;  George  F.  Garrison,  1868-69;  George  McCabe, 
1870-71;  Colin  Tolmie,  1872;  William  D.  Garrison,  1873;  Wil- 
liam Humphry,  jr.,  1874-75;  George  Mc-Cabe,  1876;  Gouverneur 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  587 

Paulding,  1877;  George  McCabe,  1878;  Gouverneur  Paulding, 
1879;  George  McCabe,  1880;  Gouverneur  Kemble,  1881;  Titus 
Truesdell,  1883;  Seth  Seoor,  1884-85. 

Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  LL.D.,  Secretary  of  State  of  the 
United  States  during  the  eight  years  of  President  Grant's  ad- 
ministration, was  born  in  New  York  city,  August  3d,  1808. 
His  father,  Col.  Nicholas  Fish,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the 
Revolutionary  Army,  also  a  native  of  New  York,  was  born  on 
the  28th  of  August,  1758.  Having  finished  his  classical  course 
at  Princeton,  he  began  the  study  of  law,  but  on  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle  abandoned  his  studies  and 
took  up  arms  in  defense  of  ,the  colonies.  He  served  throughout 
the  war;  partiqipat,ed  in  both  battles  of  Saratoga;  commanded 
a  corps  of  light  infantry  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth;  served  with 
General  Sullivan  in. the  expedition  against  the  Indians  in  1779; 
was  with  the  light  infantry  iinder  La  Fayette  in  1780;  and  in 
the  following  year  was  active  with  his  regiment  in  the  opera- 
tions which  resulted  in  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  He 
was  Adjutant-General  of  .the  State  of  New  York  from  1786  until 
1789,  and  in  1794  was  appointed  by  Washington  to  the  office  of 
Supervisor  of  Revenue.  Active  also  in  municipal  affairs  he 
served  as  Alderman  of  New  York  city  from  1806  to  1817.  He 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  an 
organization  composed  of  officers  of  the  Continental  Army  and 
their  male  descendants,  and  in  1797  was  elected  president  of 
the  New  York  branch  of  the  society.  He  was  active  in  religious 
and  charitable  affairs  and  a  member  of  many  local  societies, 
literary,  religious  and  beneficent.  Col.  Fish  was  also  at  one 
time  a  candidate  for  lieutenant-governor  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  Mrs.  Lamb,  in  the  second  volume  of  the  "History  of 
New  York  City,"  written  by  her,  says  of  him,  "  He  was  a  rep- 
resentative citizen  of  elegant  scholarship,  refinement  and  good 
breeding." 

Col.  Fish  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Stuyvesant,  great-great- 
granddaughter  of  Governor  Stuyvesant,  and  a  descendant, 
through  her  mother,  Margaret  Livingston,  of  the  first  Lord  of 
Livingston  Manor.  Peter  Gerard  Stuyvesant,  afterward 
president  of  the  Historical  Society,  and  Nicholas  William 
Stuyvesant  were  her  brothers,  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  Winthrop 
and  Mrs.  Dirck  Ten  Broeck  were  her  sisters. 


588  HISTORY   OP   PtJTNAM   COUNTY. 

Hamilton  Fish  enjoyed  the  best  educational  advantages  dur- 
ing his  early  years  and  was  graduated  from  Columbia  College 
in  1827,  being  then  in  his  nineteenth  year.     He  commenced  the 
study  of  law,  and  after  due  preparation  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  1830.     He  early  in  life  took  an  active  interest  in  politics, 
and,  as  a  whig,  was  repeatedly  nominated  by  his  party  as  a 
candidate  for  the  State  Legislature,  but  was  defeated,  owing  to 
the  democratic  majority  of  his  district.     He  was  elected  in  1842 
a  representative  in  Congress  from  the  Sixth  Congressional  Dis- 
trict, New  York  city.     In  1846  he  was  the  whig  candidate  for  ■ 
lieutenant-governor  on  the  ticket  with   the   Hon.  John  Young 
for  governor.     Mr.  Young  was  elected  governor,  but  Mr.  Fish 
was  defeated  for  the  second  office,  owing  to  the  opposition  of 
the  anti-renters,  whose  hostility  he  had  incurred  on  account  of 
his  earnest  and  uncompromising  denunciation  of  their  princi- 
ples.    Addison  Gardner,  his  successful  opponent,  a  democrat 
who  had  received  the  support  of  the  anti-renters,  subsequently 
became  judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeals,  and,  on  resigning  the 
office  of  lieutenant-governor  to  take  his  seat  on  the  bench,  Mr. 
Fish  was  elected  in  his  place.     He  was  elected  governor  of  the 
State  in  1848  by  a  plurality  of  nearly  100,000,  and  in  1851,  was 
chosen  United  States  Senator  to  succeed  the  Hon.  Daniel  S. 
Dickinson.     As  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate  he  op- 
posed the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise,  and  acted  with 
the   republican  party  from   its  formation  until  the  close  of 
his  term  in  1857,  in  which  year  he  went  with  his   family  to 
Europe,  and  remained  abroad  till  a  short  time  before  the  com- 
mencement of    the  Civil  War.     His   earnest   sympathies  and 
efforts  were,  of  course,  in  favor  of  the  preservation  of  the  Union, 
and  he  also  contributed  liberally  in  money  for  the  support  of 
the  government.     He  was  in  1862  appointed  by  Secretary  of 
War  Stanton,  in  conjunction  with  Bishop  Ames,  a  commissioner 
to  visit  the  Union  soldiers  imprisoned  at  Richmond  and  else- 
where, with  a  view  to  relieving  their  necessities  and  providing 
for   their  comfort.     The  Confederate   Government,  for    some 
reason,  declined  to  receive  the  commissioners  within  its   lines, 
but  expressed  a  willingness  and  readiness  at  the  same  time  to 
enter  into  negotiations  for  a  general  exchange  of   prisoners. 
This  suggestion  was  encouraged  by  the  commissioners,  and,  on 
its  approval  by   the  authorities  at  Washington,  an  equal  ex- 
change was  eventually  agreed  upon,  and  the  terms  of  the  agree- 


^ 


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Ihq^Jju  BBSalls  Sans  UmliSrh 


GLENCLIFFE." 

RESIDENCE  OF   HON.  HAMILTON   FISH, 
GARRISON'S,  PUTNAM   CO.,  N.  Y. 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWK.  589 

ment  were  substantially  carried  out  to  the  termination  of  the 
war.  Mr.  Fish  also  rendered  valuable  service  as  chairman  of 
the  Union  Defence  Committee. 

In  March,  1869,  Mr.  Fish  was  called  to  the  chief  office  in  the 
cabinet  of  President  Grant.  This  high  position  he  filled  with 
great  acceptance  to  the  president  and  people,  and,  on  the  com- 
mencement of  the  second  term  of  President  Grant  in  March, 
1873,  he  was  reappointed  secretary,  and  served  until  the  in- 
auguration of  President  Hayes  in  1877.  To  him  is  due  the 
credit  of  suggesting  the  formation  of  the  joint  high  commission 
between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  for  the  settlement 
of  the  various  difficulties  between  the  two  nations  (including 
the  Alabama  Claims),  a  proceeding  which  possibly  averted  war; 
and  on  the  9th  of  February,  1871,  he  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Grant  one  of  the  commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  to  negotiate  the  treaty  of  Washington,  which  was  signed 
by  him  on  the  8th  of  May  of  that  year.  He  also,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1873,  negotiated  with  Admiral  Polo,  the  Spanish  Minister 
at  Washington,  the  settlement  of  the  "  Virginius  "  question. 

Mr.  Fish,  as  Secretary  of  State,  conducted  the  affairs  of  that 
department  during  one  of  the  most  difficult  and  critical  periods 
in  the  history  of  our  foreign  relations,  in  a  manner  which  re- 
flected honor  upon  himself  and  upon  the  nation.  Seldom  in 
the  history  of  our  country  has  the  Department  of  State  as- 
sumed such  importance  as  during  the  years  of  his  office,  and, 
in  his  administration  of  it,  Mr.  Pish  made  a  record  of  which 
any  statesman  might  be  proud.  Mr.  Fish  is  a  man  of  large  at- 
tainments, and  is  specially  well  versed  in  foreign  affairs  and  in- 
ternational law.  In  all  the  numerous  capacities  in  which  he 
has  at  different  periods  of  his  life  served  the  country,  he  has  al- 
ways, whether  his  duties  were  legislative,  executive,  or  diplo- 
matic, displayed  a  high  order  of  statesmanship,  and  the  most 
unquestionable  probity  and  patriotism.  In  1854  he  became 
president  of  the  Order  of  the  Cincinnati;  he  is  a  leading  mem- 
ber of  the  New  York  Historical  Society  and  of  various  other 
learned  bodies,  and  is  prominently  connected  with  the  princi- 
pal literary,  social  and  benevolent  organizations  of  the  city  and 
State,  among  which  is  the  Union  League  Club  of  New  York 
city,  of  which  he  was  formerly  president. 

Mr.  Fish  is  now  well  along  in  years,  and  has  laid  off  the  bur- 
den of  public  life.     His  son,  Hamilton  Fish,  jr.,  who  inherits 


590  HISTORY    OP   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

in  a  large  degree  the  abilities  of  his  father,  has  taken  up  his 
mantle,  however. 

Mr.  Fish  married  Miss  Kean,  a  descendant  of  Peter  Van- 
burgh  Livingston  of  New  Jersey.  He  spends  most  of  his  time 
at  present  in  his  beautiful  city  residence  at  No.  251  East  17th 
street,  changing  this  during  the  summer  season  for  his  country 
home  in  Putnam  county.  Prom  these  he  continues  to  watch 
with  interest  the  progress  of  national  affairs. 

Hon.  Edwaeds  Pierrepont,  late  Envoy  Extraordinary  and 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the  United  States  at  the  Court  of 
St.  James,  is  a  direct  descendant  of  the  Rev.  James  Pierrepont, 
of  New  Haven',  and  was  born  at  North  Haven,  in  1817.  He 
graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  the  class  of  1837,  with  very  high 
honors,  having  been  prepared  in  the  Hopkins  Grammar  school, 
of  New  Haven,  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Noah  Porter,  after- 
ward the  president  of  Yale  College. 

After  completing  his  legal  studies  at  the  New  Haven  Law 
School,  under  Judge  Daggett  and  Judge  Hitchcock,  he  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in 
1840,  continuing  there  until  January,  1846,  when  he  removed  to 
New  York,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1846,  to 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  A.  Willoughby,  of  Brooklyn.  In  1857, 
he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  the  City  of  New 
York,  in  place  of  Chief- Justice  Oakley,  removed  by  death.  His 
first  public  speech  which  attracted  attention  was  delivered  on 
the  death  of  Theodore  Sedgwick,  about  a  year  and  a  half  before 
the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  in  which  Judge  Pierrepont  foreshad- 
owed the  war.  To  this  speech  the  "New  York  Herald,"  De- 
cember 15th,  1859,  called  especial  attention. 

When  he  resigned  his  seat  upon  the  Bench,  in  October,  1860, 
and  returned  to  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  attention  to 
public  affairs,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  the  governor  upon  the  ap- 
proaching corruption  in  the  government,  which  attracted  great 
attention.     From  the  letter  we  extract  the  following: 

"  The  more  intelligent  portion  of  our  citizens  give  the  subject 
of  their  government  no  united  attention;  they  are  intent  on 
wealth;  madly  hastening  to  be  rich;  leaving  justice,  order,  and 
government  to  take  care  of  themselves,  or  to  be  cared  for  by 
those  who  will  trample  them  in  the  dust.     If  the  wise,  the 


ly  EBJaJl  &  Soas.Hew-ToilL 


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tNVI^.EXl.pAOKDlNARY   ANO    Wl ;  N  1  S  I  ER  PLENI  PO  lENTIARl"  hT  TH  E  COU  RT  OF  STJAMES   1876-1817, 


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TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  591 

wealthy,  the  honest  and  the  intelligent  will  not  combine  for  good 
government,  the  wicked,  the  idle  and  the  dishonest  will  com- 
bine for  bad  government;  and  they  will  govern;  and  through 
the  forms  of  law,  in  the  shape  of  taxation  and  other  legalized 
jobbery,  they  will  strip  the  children  of  the  industrious  rich,  of 
their  carefully  conserved  estates,  leaving  them  in  jjoverty  the 
more  hopeless  from  the  very  wealth  in  which  their  childhood 
was  pampered.  Government  will  be  administered  by  somebody: 
that  may  be  relied  upon.  If  the  wise  and  good  will  not  attend 
to  it,  fools  and  knaves  will.  If  our  rich,  intelligent,  and  honest 
citizens  think  these  things  of  no  moment,  they  will  let  them 
alone,  as  they  have  heretofore  done;  but  they  may  rely  upon 
it,  these  things  will  not  let  them  alone." 

From  the  first  gun  that  was  fired  upon  Port  Sumter,  Judge 
Pierrepont  took  a  zealous  interest  in  the  Union  cause,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  famous  "  Union  Defence 
Committee  of  the  City  of  New  York."  To  this  committee  large 
sums  of  money  were  intrusted  through  private  subscriptions, 
besides  a  million  of  dollars  raised  under  the  following 

Ordinance. 

"  An  ordinance  making  an  appropriation  in  aid  of  the  defence 
of  the  National  Union,  a.nd  authorizing  the  borrowing  of  money 
for  that  purpose. 

"The  Mayor,  iildermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  New 
York,  in  Common  Council  convened,  do  ordain  as  follows: 

"  Sec.  1.  The  sum  of  one  million  dollars  is  hereby  appro- 
priated for  the  purpose  of  procuring  the  necessary  equipment 
and  outfit  of  the  military  force  of  the  City  of  New  York,  now 
engaged,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  engaged,  in  the  service  of 
the  state  of  New  York  in  pursuance  of  the  requisition  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  to  provide  for  the  aid  and 
support  of  the  families  of  such  of  the  officers  and  men  so  engaged 
as  may  require  the  same. 

"  Sec.  2.  The  money  so  appropriated  shall  be  paid  by  the 
Comptroller  upon  vouchers  to  be  approved  by  a  committee  to 
be  known  as  the  "  Union  Defence  Committee  of  the  City  of  New 
York,"  consisting  of  the  Mayor,  Comptroller,  President  of  the 
Board  of  Aldermen,  President  of  the  Board  of  Councilmen,  and 
the  following  named  citizens: 


092  HISTORY   Oi'   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Moses  Taylor,  Edwards  Pierrepont, 

Moses  H.  Grinnell,  Richard  M.  Blatchford, 

Royal  Phelps,  Alexander  T.  Stewart, 

William  E.  Dodge,  Hamilton  Fish, 

Greene  C.  Bronson,  Samuel  Sloan, 

William  M.  Evarts,  John  Jacob  Astor, 

John  J.  Cisco,  William  F.  Havemeyer, 

James  T.  Brady.  Charles  H.  Russell, 

Simeon  Draper,  Rudolph  A.  Witthaus, 

James  S.  Wadsworth,  Charles  H.  Marshall, 

Isaac  Bell,  Prosper  M.  Wetmore, 

James  Boorman,  Robert  H.  McCurdy, 

Abiel  A.  Low, 
who  were  appointed  at  a  public  meeting  held  at  Union  Square, 
on  Saturday,  the  20th  day  of  April,  instant,  to  collect  funds  and 
transact  such  other  business  in  aid  of  the  Government  as  the 
public  interest  may  require. 

"  The  vouchers  aforesaid  shall  be  certified  in  writing  by  the 
chairman  of  the  said  committee." 

The  Massachusetts  troops  having  been  attacked  in  Baltimore 
on  their  way  to  the  defense  of  the  capital,  and  all  the  usual 
communications  having  been  cut  oflE  between  New  York  and 
Washington,  the  city  sent  a  committee  9f  three  to  make  their 
way  as  best  they  might  to  the  seat  of  government,  to  confer 
with  the  president  and  cabinet.  Thurlow  Weed,  William  M. 
Evarts  and  Edwards  Pierrepont  were  selected  and  they  forth 
with  proceeded  on  their  way  toward  Washington,  but  on 
reaching  Perryville  they  found  that  no  communication  through 
Baltimore  could  be  had.  At  Perryville  they  took  a  little  gun 
boat,  and  went  down  the  river  to  Annapolis,  then  held  by  Gen- 
eral Butler.  Under  an  escort  of  troops  directed  by  General 
Butler,  they  started  for  Annapolis  Junction.  The  rails  in 
many  places  had  been  torn  up  by  the  rebels  and  had  to  be  re 
laid,  which  was  accomplished  by  General  Butler's  men,  who 
were  quite  equal  to  the  necessity.  In  that  way  the  committee 
finally  reached  Washington,  and  this  was  the  first  time  that 
Mr.  Pierrepont  had  ever  seen  Mr.  Lincoln,  but  from  that  time 
to  the  day  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  murder  the  intercourse  was  fre- 
quent and  intimate. 

In  1862,  he  was  appointed  by  the  president  to  act  as  a  commis  - 
sioner  (in  connection  with  Major  General  Dix)  to  try  the  prison- 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  593 

ers  of  State,  then  confined  in  the  various  forts  and  prisons  of  the 
United  States.  Upon  the  assassination  of  the  president,  in 
April,  1865,  he  was  one  of  a  committee  selected  to  attend  the 
funeral  of  the  lamented  Lincoln.  In  1864,  he  was  one  of  the 
most  active  in  organizing  the  War  Democrats  in  favor  of  the 
re  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  made  many  speeches  and 
was  very  active  in  that  contest.  In  April,  1867,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  convention  for  forming  a  new  Constitution  for 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  was  one  of  the  Judiciary  Commit- 
tee. In  the  spring  of  1867,  he  was  employed  by  the  Attorney 
General,  Hon.  Henry  Stanbury,  and  the  Secretary  of  State, 
Hon.  William  H.  Seward,  to  conduct  the  prosecution,  on  the 
part  of  the  government,  against  John  H.  Surrat,  indicted  for 
aiding  in  the  murder  of  President  Lincoln.  This  celebrated 
trial  commenced  before  the  United  States  District  Court,  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  on  the  6th  day  of  June,  and  lasted  until 
the  10th  day  of  August,  1867. 

He  has  been  engaged  as  counsel  in  the  trial  and  arguments  of 
very  many  celebrated  cases,  and  was  much  employed  by  rail- 
road and  other  corporations.  In  the  pi'esidential  contests  of 
1868  and  1872,  Judge  Pierrepont  was  an  ardent  supporter  of 
General  Grant,  making  numerous  speeches  on  the  republican 
side,  many  of  which  have  been  published.  Upon  his  accession  to 
the  presidency  in  1869,  General  Grant  appointed  Judge  Pierre- 
pont, Attorney  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southern  District 
of  New  York,  which  office  he  resigned  in  July,  1870. 

In  the  autumn  of  1870,  he  was  one  of  the  most  active  of  the 
"Committee  of  Seventy"  against  the  "  Ring  Frauds  "  of  New 
York. 

During  the  contest  between  General  Grant  and  Mr.  Greeley 
in  1872,  Judge  Pierrepont  was  particularly  active,  making  many 
speeches  both  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  in  support  of 
General  Grant. 

Judge  Pierrepont  received  the  honorary  degree  of  LL.D., 
June,  1871,  from  Columbia  College,  Washington,  D.  C.  (having 
in  that  year  delivered  the  oration  before  the  graduating  class  of 
the  Law  School  of  that  institution),  and  also  in  1873,  the  same 
degree  from  Yale  College. 

In  May,  1873,  Judge  Pierrepont  was  appointed  American 
Minister  at  the  Russian  Court,  an  honor  which  he  declined.  In 
June,  1874,  he  delivered  a  remarkable  oration  in    the  Center 

38 


594  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Church,  of  New  Haven,  before  the  Alumni  of  Yale  College, 
which  was  published.  In  April,  1875,  he  was  appointed  At- 
torney General  of  the  United  States,  and  remained  in  the  cabi- 
net of  President  Grant  until  May,  1876,  when  he  was  appointed 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
United  States,  at  the  Court  of  St.  James. 

While  Attorney  General  he  argued  all  the  more  important 
causes  on  the  part  of  the  government,  among  which  were  the 
noted  Union  Pacific  Railway  Case  and  the  celebrated  Arkansas 
Hot  Springs  Case.  During  his  term  of  office  he  was  called  upon 
by  the  Secretary  of  State  to  give  an  opinion  upon  a  great  ques- 
tion of  international  law,  which  gave  him  a  wide  reputation  in 
Europe. 

"  Department  of  Justice, 

"  Washington,  June  26,  1875. 

"  Sir: — The  facts  upon  which  the  Secretary  of  State  asks  the 
opinion  of  the  Attorney  General,  are  these:  Mr.  A.  Steinkaular, 
a  Prussian  subject  by  birth,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
1848,  became  naturalized  in  1854,  and  in  the  following  year  had 
a  son  born  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  Four  years  after  the  birth 
of  his  son,  Steinkanler  returned  to  Germany,  taking  his  family, 
including  the  infant  child,  and  became  domiciled  at  Weisbaden, 
where  they  have  all  continuously  resided.  Nassau,  -in  which 
Weisbaden  is  situated,  became  incorporated  into  the  North  Ger- 
man Confederation  in  1866.  This  son  has  now  reached  the  age 
of  20  years,  and  the  German  Government  has  called  upon  him 
for  military  duty.  Mr.  Steinkanler,  thereupon,  invokes  the 
intervention  of  the  Legation  of  the  United  States,  at  Berlin,  on 
the  ground  that  his  son  is  a  native-born  American  citizen. 

"  To  an  inquiry  by  Mr.  Davis,  our  minister  at  Berlin,  whether 
the  son  would  give  an  assurance  of  intention  to  return  to  this 
country,  within  some  reasonable  period — to  be  fixed  by  himself, 
and  to  reside  here  and  assume  his  duties  as  a  citizen — the  father, 
on  his  behalf,  declined  to  give  any  such  assurance. 

"  The  question  is,  whether,  upon  the  facts  stated,  it  is  the 
duty  of  the  Government  of  the  United  States  to  interfere  in  the 
matter. 

"  Opinion  of  the  Attorney  General. 

"  The  status  of  young  Steinkanler,  and  his  right  to  protec- 
tion from    the  Government  of  the    United   States,    depends 
•primarily  upon  his  nationality.     Nationality  is  either  natural 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  595 

or  acquired.  The  one  results  from  birth,  the  other  from  the 
operation  of  the  laws  of  Kingdoms  or  States. 
\  "  Nationality  by  birth  in  some  countries,  depends  upon  the 
place  of  birth;  in  others  upon  the  nationality  of  the  parents.  There 
is  no  uniform  rule  of  international  law  upon  the  subject,  nor  is 
there  any  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  North  Germany, 
or  any  statute  or  rule  of  common  law  either  in  North  Germany 
or  the  United  States  (so  far  as  I  can  find),  which  solves  the 
question  submitted.  In  North  Germany,  as  in  the  United 
States,  the  minority  of  the  child  continues  until  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years;  and  minor  children  of  naturalized  parents, 
domiciled  and  living  with  such  parents  in  North  Germany, 
though  such  minor  children  were  born  in  the  United  States,  are 
made  German  subjects  with  the  rights  of  German  citizens,  much 
the  same  as  minor  children  of  naturalized  parents,  though  the 
children  are  foreign  born,  are  rendered  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  by  the  naturalization  of  the  parents  of  such  minors. 

"  In  1868,  the  naturalization  treaty  between  North  Germany 
and  the  United  States  was  concluded.  Article  IV.  reads  as 
follows:  '  If  a  German  naturalized  in  America  renews  his  resi- 
dence in  North  Germany,  without  the  intent  to  return  to 
America,  he  shall  be  held  to  have  renounced  his  naturalization 
in  the  United  States.'  *  *  *  « The  intent  not  to  return  may 
be  held  to  exist  when  the  person  naturalized  in  the  one  country 
resides  more  than  two  years  in  the  other  country.' 

"  Section  1999,  of  the  Kevised  Statutes  of  the  United  States 
reads  as  follow:  '  Whereas  the  right  of  expatriation  is  a  natural 
and  inherent  right  of  all  people,  indispensable  to  the  enjoyment 
of  the  rights  of  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness;  and 
whereas  in  the  recognition  of  this  principle  this  Government 
has  freely  received  emigrants  from  all  nations,  and  invested 
them  with  the  rights  of  citizenship;  and  whereas  it  is  claimed 
that  such  American  citizens,  with  their  descendants,  are  sub- 
jects of  foreign  states,  owing  allegiance  to  the  governments 
thereof;  and  whereas  it  is  necessary  to  the  maintenance  of  pub- 
lic peace  that  this  claim  of  foreign  allegiance  should  be 
promptly  and  finally  disavowed:  Therefore,  any  declaration, 
instruction,  opinion,  order,  or  decision  of  any  officer  of  the 
United  States  which  denies,  restricts,  impairs  or  questions  the 
right  of  expatriation  is  declared  inconsistent  with  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  the  Republic' 


596  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  Under  the  treaty  and  in  harmony  with  the  American  doc- 
trine, it  is  clear  that  Steinkanler,  the  father,  abandoned  his 
naturalization  in  America  and  became  a  German  subject  (his 
son  being  yet  a  minor)  and  that  by  virtue  of  German  laws,  the 
son  acquired  German  nationality.  It  is  equally  clear  that  the 
son  by  birth  has  American  nationality,  and  hence  he  has  two 
nationalities — one  natural,  the  other  acquired.  Difficulties  like 
the  one  we  are  now  considering,  and  which  arise  from  double 
nationality,  have  recently  been  disposed  of  in  England  by 
Statute  33rd  Victoria,  A.  D.,  1870,  ch.  14,  sec.  10,  sub.  3. 

"  '  Where  the  father  being  a  British  subject,  or  the  mother 
being  a  British  subject  and  a  widow,  becomes  an  alien  in  pur- 
suance of  this  act,  every  child  of  such  father  or  mother  who 
during  infancy  has  become  resident  in  the  country  where  the 
father  or  mother  is  naturalized,  and  has,  according  to  the  laws 
of  such  country,  become  naturalized  therein,  shall  be  deemed  to 
be  a  subject  of  the  State  of  which  the  father  or  mother  has  be- 
come a  subject,  and  not  a  British  subject.' 

"We  have  no  such  statute,  and  we  miist,  therefore,  seek 
some  other  mode  of  solving  this  somewhat  difficult  question. 
Young  Steinkanler  is  a  native  born  American  citizen.  There 
is  no  law  of  the  United  States  under  which  his  father  or  any 
other  person  can  deprive  him  of  the  birthright.  He  can  return 
to  America  at  the  age  of  twenty  one,  and,  in  due  time,  if  the 
people  elect,  he  can  become  President  of  the  United  States;  but 
the  father  in  accordance  with  the  treaty  and  the  laws,  has  re- 
nounced his  American  citizenship  and  his  American  allegiance, 
and  has  acquired  for  himself  and  his  son,  German  citizenship 
and  the  rights  which  it  carries,  and  he  must  take  the  burdens 
as  well  as  the  advantages.  The  son  being  domiciled  with  the 
father  and  subject  to  him  under  the  law  during  his  minority, 
and  receiving  the  German  protection  where  he  has  an  acquired 
nationality,  and  declining  to  give  any  assurance  of  intention  of 
ever  returning  to  the  United  States,  and  claiming  his  American 
nationality  by  residence  here,  I  am  of  opinion  that  he  cannot 
rightfully  invoke  the  aid  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  to  relieve  him  from  military  duty  in  Germany  during  his 
minority;  but  that  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  when  he  reaches 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  he  can  then  elect  whether  he  will 
return  and  take  the  nationality  of  his  birth  with  the  duties  and 
privileges,  or  retain  the  nationality  acquired  by  the  act  of  his 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN,,  597 

father.      This  seems   to  be  right  reason,    and  I   think  it  is 
law. 

"  While  the  Government  of  the  United  States  with  zealous 
care  will  protect  its  humblest  citizen  wherever  found,  yet,  in 
the  opinion  of  the  Attorney-General,  it  is  not  our  duty  to  aid  a 
young  man  of  twenty  years  to  escape  from  military  service  in 
a  g-overnment  whose  protection  he  has  enjoyed  since  four  years 
old,  and  where  he  has  acquired  nationality  which  he  does  not 
propose  to  give  up,  and  when  interrogated  by  the  envoy  of  the 
American  Government,  declines  even  to  suggest  that  he  ever 
intends  to  return  to  the  United  States  and  reclaim  the  nation- 
ality and  assume  the  duties  of  an  American  citizen. 

"  Protection  from  a  government  involves  the  reciprocal  duty 
of  allegiance  and  service  from  the  citizen  when  needed.  In  the 
case  presented  I  see  no  occasion  for  interference  on  the  part  of 
the  American  Government. 

"Edwards  Piereepont, 

"Attorney  General. 
"'  The  Honorable  Hamilton  Fish, 

"  Secretary  of  State." 

During  the  first  year  of  his  mission  (1876)  the  question  of  the 
extradition  of  criminals  between  the  two  countries  was  largely 
discussed,  and  the  extradition  was  for  a  time  suspended,  but 
the  government  of  Great  Britain  at  last  substantially  yielded 
their  assent  to  the  construction  which  Mr.  Fish,  the  American 
Secretary  of  State,  claimed  for  the  treaty,  and  extradition  was 
resumed  the  same  as  it  was  prior  to  the  misunderstanding,  and 
so  continues. 

During  the  second  year  of  Mr.  Pierrepont's  mission  to  Eng- 
land General  Grant  visited  London  and  was  Mr.  Pierrepont's 
guest.  Apprised  of  the  intended  visit,  Mr.  Pierrepont  urged 
mpon  the  Queen's  Ministers  the  propriety  of  according  the  same 
precedence  to  General  Grant,  who  had  twice  been  elected  the 
chief  ruler  of  a  great  jjower,  holding  near  and  friendly  relations 
with  Great  Britain,  as  had  been  given  to  the  ex-ruler  of  France. 
The  Ministry  acted  with  great  delicacy  and  friendliness  in  the 
matter,  and  at  a  dinner  given  to  the  Prince  of  Wales  by  ]\Ir. 
Pierrexiont  at  his  residence,  the  German,  French,  Russian, 
Austrian,  Italian  and  Turkish  Ambassadors,  the  Queen's  Min- 
isters of  State,  the  Dukes  of  Wellington,  Richmond,  Suther- 


598  HISTORY  or  putnam  county. 

land,  Westminster  and  Argyll  were  present.     General  Grant 
was,  by  common  consent,  placed  on  the  right  of  the  Prince. 

And  everywhere  throughout  Great  Britain  ex-President 
Grant  was  treated  with  all  the  distinction  and  accorded  all  the 
precedence  which  any  American  could  desire,  and  we  are  as- 
sured that  the  General  bore  himself  with  such  dignity,  tact  and 
good  sense  as  to  command  universal  respect.  The  example  of 
England  was  largely  followed  by  other  governments. 

During  the  second  year  of  his  mission  Mr.  Pierrepont  nego- 
tiated with  Lord  Derby,  the  British  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs, 
the  trade-mark  treaty.  In  1878  the  ancient  and  renowned  Uni- 
versity of  Oxford  conferred  upon  Mr.  Pierrepont  the  degree  of 
D.C.L.,  the  highest  honor  in  their  gift. 

Mr.  Pierrepont  visited  many  parts  of  England,  Wales,  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  seeing  all  classes  of  people,  with  a  view  to 
understand  their  social  and  political  condition.  He  devoted 
large  attention  to  the  financial  system  of  England  in  order  to 
ascertain  what  had  given  her  such  a  preeminent  lead  in  the 
affairs  of  the  globe,  and  how  the  United  States,  whose  annual 
earnings  and  income  were  far  more  than  those  of  Great  Britain, 
might  make  New  York  the  money  center  of  the  world. 

On  his  return  from  England  in  1878,  Mr.  Pierrepont  at  once 
engaged  actively  in  his  profession.  He  was  the  leading  counsel 
for  the  defense  in  the  noted  case  of  the  United  States  against 
Pings  &  Pinnar.  in  which  the  government  claimed  more  than 
half  a  million  of  dollars.  He  is  counsel  for  the  United  States 
in  the  Lewis  will  case;  also  in  the  suits  for  income  tax,  in  the 
Wood  will,  and  other  heavy  cases,  and  of  late  he  has  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  financial  questions  and  has  written  upon  the 
subject. 

A  well-known  writer,  in  speaking  of  Judge  Pierrepont' s 
forensic  success,  says  : 

"Judge  Pierrepont  has  unrivalled  skill  in  the  cross-examina- 
tion of  witnesses,  and  in  arranging  his  facts  so  that  one  seems 
to  grow  out  of  the  other  in  such  logical  sequence,  that  when 
the  statement  is  made  the  argument  is  concluded.  His  remark- 
able power  in  the  lucid  statement  of  facts  and  of  adhering  to 
them  under  every  difficulty  and  counter  influence,  constitute 
the  charm  and  force  of  his  advocacy.  To  an  unprejudiced 
mind  he  generally  conveys  his  own  convictions,  because  they 
are  convictions  founded  on  truth.     And  all  this  he  has  secured 


TOWlSr   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  599 

simply  by  following  his  own  maxim  that  no  man  without  an 
upright  mind,  and  no  man  who  has  not  preserved  his  integrity, 
has  ever  died  leaving  the  reputation  of  a  great  lawyer."  And 
the  same  writer  adds:  "  Perhaps  the  secret  of  his  fearless 
course,  and  cool  and  even  temper  which  nothing  disturbs,  was 
unconsciously  revealed  by  Judge  Pierrepont  in  the  closing  para- 
graph of  the  address  to  the  law  students  at  Washington  already 
mentioned. 

"  '  A  few  more  words  and  I  have  done.  To  those  who  can  re- 
ceive them  they  are  more  important  than  all' that  I  have  said  or 
can  say.  They  will  tell  you  the  best  way  through  the  perplex- 
ing affairs  of  this  life;  give  a  calmness  to  the  judgment,  a 
cheerfulness  to  the  spirit,  and  an  even  temper;  a  courage,  se- 
renely lifted  above  all  passions,  and  which  nothing  can  daunt: 
they  will  help  to  lighten  every  disappointment,  render  duty 
pleasant,  and  make  you  satisfied  with  your  lot;  and  year  by 
year  you  may  grow  stronger,  wiser,  and  more  happy.  This  may 
come,  this  will  come,  to  him  who,  with  an  earnest  wish  seeks 
only  the  right,  and-  in  every  trouble,  in  every  joy,  in  every  im- 
portant undertaking  in  life,  and  every  day,  with  honest  heart  and 
willing  mind,  asks  enlightenment  and  guidance  from  the  Great 
Lawgiver,  our  Father  of  Heaven.'  " 

Edward  Pierrepont  lies  buried  in  St.  Philip's  church  yard, 
Putnam  county,  near  his  father's  country  seat.  The  following 
was  written  by  a  devoted  friend — Mrs.  Briinnow — the  daughter 
of  Chancellor  Tappan  and  a  granddaughter  of  Colonel  Living- 
ston, late  of  New  York. 

"  '  Whom  the  Gods  love,  die  young,'  was  said  and  believed  in 
by  the  Ancients,  and  though  it  is  so  often  quoted,  still  in  the 
present  instance  I  venture  to  repeat  this  old  saying,  which  is  so 
true  as  regards  the  earlj'^  death  of  our  beloved  and  honored 
young  friend. 

"I  feel  that  an  abler  pen  than  mine  should  write  the  memoir 
of  rhis  noble,  pure  spirit,  but  my  heart  will  not  keep  silent; 
having  known  and  loved  the  parents  and  grandparents  of  him 
who  has  left  us,  indeed  having  been  xjresent  at  the  wedding  of 
his  parents  when  still  a  child  myself,  knowing  all  intimately, 
bound  by  the  holiest  ties  of  love  and  friendship,  it  seems  but 
fitting  that  I  should  raise  my  voice  to  lament  and  honor  him 
whom  God  has  taken  to  himself  in  his  early  bloom  and  freshness. 


600  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  Edward  Pierrepont,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  born 
under  a  lucky  planet,  as  the  astrologers  would  have  said,  being 
blessed  with  parents  of  such  eminent  distinction.  His  father, 
the  Hon.  Edwards  Pierrepont,  is  so  well  known  by  fame  to  all 
Americans,  and  also  to  the  English  world  as  a  distinguished 
lawyer  and  statesman,  that  his  name  need  only  be  mentioned; 
but  although  I  well  know  his  mother's  modest,  retiring  na- 
ture, I  must  say  a  few  words  of  the  one  who  gave  birth  to  so 
rare  a  son. 

"All  great  men  are  said  to  owe  much  to  their  mothers,  and 
truly  a  good,  noble  mother  is  a  treasure  a  man  can  ever  be  proud 
of,  and  indeed  she  molds  his  young  life  for  the  future.  In  this 
case  certainly  it  was  so:  not  left  to  the  care  of  servants  and 
hirelings,  he  was  carefully  watched  over  and  tenderly  cared  for, 
both  physically  and  spiritually,  by  his  loving  mother,  who  felt 
the  trust  God  had  imposed  upon  her  in  giving  her  this  young 
soul  to  train  for  life. 

"  He  was  born  at  103  Fifth  avenue,  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
in  the  house  his  father  had  built  many  years  before,  and  little 
did  they  think  when  they  beheld  that  lovely  child  that  one  day 
he  would  write  '  From  Fifth  Avenue  to  Alaska.'  When  but  five 
years  of  age  his  mother  took  him  to  Paris  that  he  might  acquire 
the  French  language  in  an  easy  and  natural  way,  and  with  un- 
tiring devotion  remained  and  watched  over  him  for  some  two 
years.  When  ten  years  of  age  he  was  put  under  the  charge  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Coit,  the  eminent  head  of  St.  Paul's  School,  at 
Concord.  From  early  childhood,  he  was  remarkably  strong  and 
althletic,  and  as  he  grew  up  he  became  tall,  handsome  and  pol- 
ished in  manner. 

"  His  father  took  the  greatest  care  of  his  education  from  the 
beginning,  and  well  did  the  boy  repay  that  care.  His  ideal  was 
the  highest.  His  aim  was  to  do  his  duty;  to  please  the  father 
for  whom  he  cherished  the  utmost  veneration  and  love;  and 
indeed  that  father  deserved  such  affection  and  reverence;  he 
who  watched  over  and  carefully  guided  him,  and  who  ever  held 
out  a  noble  future  before  him,  giving  him  the  treasures  of  his 
own  large  and  varied  experience.  The  letter,  which  the  Hon. 
Edwards  Pierrepont  wrote  to  his  son  while  the  latter  was  at 
Oxford,  explains  more  eloquently  than  my  poor  pen  can  do,  the 
influence  exerted  by  this  devoted  father  over  his  promising  only 
son.     All  who  have  had  the  privilege  of  reading  this  letter  hope 


TOWN   OF   PUILIPSTOWN.  601 

it  may  yet  be  published  in  a  permanent  form,  so  as  to  intiuence 
other  young  men  with  as  much  success  as  it  did  the  subject  of 
this  memoir. 

"  Father  and  son  had  the  fullest  confidence  in  each  other;  the 
son's  heart  lay,  an  open,  unsullied  page,  before  the  eyes  of  his  be- 
loved guide.  Happy  the  father  and  son  so  united  and  so  sure  of 
each  other.  His  affection  for  his  mother  much  endeared  him  to  me; 
high  reverence  and  deep,  fond  love  ever  showed  themselves  when 
he  mentioned  her;  in  his  eyes,  voice,  and  manner  one  could  see 
how  he  loved  and  venerated  the  one  who  had  guided  his  young 
years  by  that  religious  light  which  he  never  ceased  to  follow. 
He  was  confirmed  while  at  Oxford  in  the  Episcopal  Church. 

"  Early  in  1876  the  Hon.  Edwards  Pierrepont,  then  a  member 
of  the  Cabinet  of  President  Grant,  was  sent  as  Envoy  Extra- 
ordinary and  Minister  Plenirjotentiary  to  England,  and  Mrs. 
Pierrepont  and  the  son  accompanied  him  as  a  matter  of  coarse. 
This  change  of  residence  altered  the  plan  which  the  father  had 
proposed  for  the  education  of  his  son  and  seemed  to  change  the 
boy's  destiny.  His  father  wished  him  to  be  educated  at  Yale 
College,  where  he  himself  had  graduated,  and  to  study  law, 
through  which  lies  the  way  to  political  eminence  in  America. 
Instead  he  was  placed  with  a  few  other  boys  for  private  instruc- 
tion at  Polme-Pierrepont  Rectory  in  the  charming  and  religious 
family  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Seymour,  where  he  was  under  the 
direct  tuition  of  the  Rev.  H.  S.  Swithenbank,  to  whom  he  al- 
ways felt  deeply  indebted.  Subsequently  he  entered  Christ 
Church  and  graduated  at  the  University  of  Oxford  in  June, 
1882.  Of  the  eminent  Dean  of  Christ  Church  he  always  spoke 
with  reverence  and  gratitude.  Wherever  Edward  Pierrepont 
resided  he  made  true  and  lasting  friends,  and  won  all  hearts  by 
his  cheerful  and  amiable  disposition,  his  noble  heart  and  his 
charming  manners. 

"He  seemed  to  have  been  endowed  with  many  of  the  char- 
acteristics of  his  eminent  and  pious  ancestor,   the  Rev.  James 
Pierrepont,  of  New  Haven,  one  of  the  founders  of  Yale  College, 
of  whom,  in  the  first  volume  of  Hollister's  History  of  Connecti 
cut,  published  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  it  is  said: 

"  'New  Haven  was  for  many  years  distinguished  for  the  wis- 
dom and  ability  of  its  clergj'men;  of  these,  Hooker,  Street,  and 
Pierrepont  are  among  the  most  eminent.  James  Pierrepont 
was  born  ur  Roxbury,  Massachusetts,  in  1659,  graduated  at  Har- 


602  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

vard  in  1681,  and  was  ordained  at  New  Haven  in  1686.  De- 
scended from  an  illustrious  family,  and  gifted  to  a  high  degree 
with  intellectual  endowments,  eloquent  speech,  a  graceful  per- 
son, handsome  features,  and  manners  the  most  courtly  and  win- 
ning, he  appears  to  have  been  from  early  youth  too  intently 
occupied  with  the  mission  of  saving  the  souls  of  his  fellow  men, 
ever  to  think  of  himself.  I  suppose,  of  all  the  clergymen  whose 
names  belong  to  the  early  history  of  New  England,  Pierrepont 
was  the  most  lofty  and  pure  in  his  aspirations,  and  of  the  most 
spiritual  temper.  With  none  of  the  sternness  of  Davenport, 
without  the  despondency  of  Wareham,  and  free  from  the  im- 
petuous moods  that  proved  such  thorns  in  the  pillow  of  Hooker, 
his  words,  like  the  live  coals  from  the  altar  in  the  hand  of  the 
angel,  touched  and  purified  the  lips  of  those  who  listened  to 
his  teachings.' 

"  He  was  of  Norman  origin  and  a  direct  descendant  of  the 
Pierrepont  family  in  Nottingham,  England.  His  beautiful 
daughter,  Sarah  Pierrepont,  became  the  wife  of  that  eminent 
divine,  the  Kev.  Jonathan  Edwards. 

"From  a  multitude  of  letters  written  both  in  England  and 
America,  I  copy  one  written  in  London  by  the  Rev.  H.  S. 
Swithenbank,  who  was  for  a  long  time  the  boy's  tutor,  residing 
in  the  same  house  and  seeing  him  at  all  hours;  who  witnessed 
his  bravery  and  pluck  in  a  fight  with  '  Nottingham  roughs,' 
they  having  insulted  the  Reverend  friend  in  whose  house  Ed- 
ward was  a  guest;  who  remained  an  intimate  acquaintance,  and 
twice  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  him  while  at  the  University  of 
Oxford,  and  who  knew  him  so  well,  and  observed  his  traits  of 
character  when  life  was  young  and  without  disguises. 

"  Mr.  Swithenbank  writes  : 

"  'The  world  little  knows  what  it  has  lost;  dear  Eddie's  nature 
was  one  which  required  to  be  knoion.  Popular  as  he  was,  none 
loved  him  as  they  who  knew  him;  to  know  him  wa-s  to  love  him. 
Since  first  T  heard  of  his  illness,  old  times  have  been  coming  up 
before  my  mind.  I  shall  dwell  much  and  lovingly  on  that 
bright  life,  and  I  doubt  not  I  shall  know  and  love  him  more 
than  ever.  It  is  a  fact  that  we  do  not  half  value  our  friends 
until  we  lose  them,  and  we  do  value  them  then.' 

"After  taking  his  degree  at  Oxford  in  June,  1882,  he  spent 
the  summer  in  travel  upon  the  Continent;  returning  to  New 
York  in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  he  entered  the  law  school  of 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  603 

Columbia  College,  under  the  charge  of  the  eminent  Professor 
D wight.  In  May,  1883,  he  started  on  a  long-  journey,  in  com- 
pany with  his  father,  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  traveled  far  into 
Alaska;  on  his  return  the  house  of  Geo.  Putnam  &  Sons  pub- 
lished his  book,  called  'From  Fifth  Avenue  to  Alaska,'  giving 
an  account  of  his  journey,  which  lasted  four  months.  This  book 
made  him  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Geographical  Society.  The 
work,  written  with  so  much  enthusiasm,  with  so  buoyant  a 
spirit,  is  filled  with  valuable  information,  which  will  be  more 
and  more  appreciated.  Read  that  vivid  description  of  his  trip 
to  the  Hoodoo  Mountains,  where  he  was  lost  for  two  days, 
but  where  his  faith  shines  forth  like  a  bright  star,  a  beacon- 
light  to  all  young  men  of  the  present  day,  many  of  whom  might 
not  like  to  own  their  child-like  faith  with  such  simple  direct- 
ness. His  kind  heart  also  is  shown  in  the  care  of  his  old  horse^ 
and  his  endurance  and  courage  were  all  supported  by  true 
Christian  faith.  lean  never  read  this  description  without  tears 
blinding  my  eyes.  The  whole  scene  lies  before  me  like  a  vision, — 
that  lonely  mountain,  the  wild  storm  and  wind  and  snow  and 
blinding  sleet,  and  there,  alone  in  that  solitude,  stands  that 
noble  form  by  his  poor  old  horse,  alone  with  his  God!  And 
his  prayer  was  heard  and  answered.  Invisible  forms  led  him 
into  the  path  of  safety;  and  we  can  all  say  with  him,  with  full 
hearts,  '  More  things  are  wrought  by  prayer  than  this  world 
dreams  of.'  His  description  of  the  scenery  of  Alaska,  and  his 
account  of  the  savages  of  that  country  where  there  was  no  gov- 
ernment or  law,  the  hanging  of  two  men  without  judicial  pro- 
ceedings, which  he  witnessed,  and  his  ascent  (alone  with  two 
Indians)  of  a  high  mountain  at  Bartlett's  Cove,  which  no  white 
man  had  ever  climbed,  are  admirably  told. 

""  A  manuscript  found  among  his  papers  at  Rome  corrobo- 
rated what  he  had  confided  lo  some  of  his  friends,  that  he  was 
writing  a  novel  intended  to  portray  the  social  characteristics 
and  subtle  distinctness  in  the  morals  and  manners  of  New  York,. 
London  and  Rome. 

"I  will  now  go  back  a  few  years.  While  still  a  student  in 
Oxford  he  visited  us  at  Bale,  where  we  then  resided.  He  re- 
minded me  of  some  rare  tropical  flower,  so  graceful  and  beauti- 
ful. Some  years  later,  in  1882,  he  came  with  his  mother  to 
Vevey,  where  we  then  resided,  and  where  they  remained  seven 
weeks.    We  saw  them  daily.    In  June,  1884,  he  left  the  charms 


604  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  London  society  for  oar  quiet  shores,  and  his  fatlier  joined 
him  a  few  weeks  later.  This  was  a  happy  time,  scarce  one  short 
year  ago,  and  we  now  recall  with  sad  pleasure  those  happy 
months,  although  my  own  life  was  saddened  by  the  severe  and 
fatal  illness  of  my  precious  mother.  Those  two  dear  friends 
were  our  consolers,  their  very  presence  helped  us  to  bear  our 
grief.  Five  months  Edward  Pierrepont  remained  here,  and  was 
with  us  daily,  with  the  exception  of  some  trips  he  made  to  Zer- 
matt  with  his  father,  and  to  Chamouni,  where  he  ascended  Mt. 
Blanc.  Plainly  do  I  see  him  in  his  mountain  gear,  a  tall, 
strong,  athletic,  graceful  youth;  no  one  would  have  dreamed 
that  he  would  be  the  first  taken  from  our  midst.  Those  lovely 
moonlight  evenings  on  our  terrace,  where  he  recited  to  us  with 
his  harmonious  voice  poems  without  end,  with  the  starry  heav- 
ens above  us,  and  the  grand  mountains  facing  us,  their  hoary 
heads  reflected  in  the  clear  waters  of  the  lake — those  evenings 
will  never  be  forgotten. 

"He  seemed  entirely  free  from  envy  and  jealousy,  and  while 
ambitious  of  success  he  enjoyed  the  success  of  others,  and  it 
was  said  of  'Young  Pierrepont'  in  Rome,  where  he  was  a 
great  favorite  in  society,  that  if  any  young  lady  of  his  ac- 
quaintance was  neglected  in  the  ball  room  he  was  sure  to  take 
her  up  in  the  dance,  and  when,  by  command  of  the  Qaeen,  he 
was  invited  to  her  Balcony  at  the  Carnival,  he  would  have  been 
glad  if  his  friends  could  have  shared  the  rare  distinction. 
These  traits,  blending  with  his  naive  sweetness  o£  temper,  a 
handsome  person,  alluring  manners  and  a  bright  and  airy  spirit, 
of  course  made  him  charming. 

"He  had  full  faith  that  our  Great  Republic,  as  its  commer- 
cial relations  with  the  great  powers  of  the  world  increased, 
would  before  long  need  a  diplomatic  service  as  distinct  from 
party  politics  as  that  of  the  legal  profession.  He  chose  that 
career,  not  unaware  of  its  risks  and  difficulties,  and  President 
Arthur  readily  furthered  his  wishes  and  gave  him  the  place 
which  exactly  suited  him.  He  enjoyed  his  work,  and  by  his 
diligence  and  fidelity  to  his  duties  so  won  the  approbation  of 
Secretary  Prelinghuysen  that  he  took  a  zealous  interest  in  hav- 
ing him  retained. 

"His  niemory  was  wonderful;  he  only  needed  to  read  a  page 
over  two  or  three  times  and  he  knew  it  forever.  Indeed,  in 
everything  he  succeeded  and  excelled;  for  him   there  was  no 


TOWN    OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  605 

failure,  only  an  ever-widening  path  leading  to  honor  and  glory. 
Here  at  Vevey  he  parted  from  his  father  for  the  last  time;  his 
father  returned  to  America,  leaving  him  here  until  the  time 
should  come  for  him  to  start  for  Rome,  to  assume  the  duties  and 
responsibilities  of  his  position  as  Secretary  of  Legation,  to  which 
post  he  had  been  appointed  by  the  president  on  the  1st  of  July. 
At  last  the  day  came  when  he  bade  farewell  to  us  and  to  the 
many  friends  he  made  while  here,  and  who  love  and  cherish  his 
memory.  We  heard  frequently  from  him ;  his  last  letter  was  tilled 
with  delight  and  interest  in  his  work;  indeed,  he  discharged  the 
unusual  duties  devolving  on  one  so  young  with  conscientious 
fidelity  and  consummate  tact.  Besides  this  he  was  there,  as  he 
everywhere  had  been,  a  great  favorite  in  society.  Of  a  com- 
manding form,  graceful  in  every  movement,  most  distinguished 
in  appearance,  with  a  countenance  beaming  with  merry  light, 
of  uncommon  beauty  of  feature  and  expression,  excelling  in  all 
athletic  sports,  a  famous  hunter,  nothing  daunted  him;  he  was 
bound  to  be  foremost  in  the  race  of  life  and  win  even  if  he  should 
drop  when  the  goal  was  reached.  Thus  his  social  qualities, 
united  with  talent  of  a  high  order,  peculiarly  fitted  him  for 
diplomatic  life.  One  of  the  oldest  ambassadors  in  Rome,  as 
also  His  Excellency,  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Affa:irs,  expressed 
the  opinion  '  that  Young  Pierrepont  had  a  great  diplomatic 
future.' 

"WHY  DID   HE   DIB   SO   SOON? 

"  '  O  life  as  futile,  then  as  frail! 

O  for  thy  voice  to  soothe  and  bless! 
What  hope  of  answer  or  redress? 
Behind  the  veil,  behind  the  veil.' 

"  We  hoped  to  clasp  his  hand  in  friendly  greeting  this  summer 
on  the  shores  of  this  lake;  but  it  was  not  to  be. 

"  Though  of  the  strongest  constitution  and  in  perfect  health, 
he  seems  to  have  had  some  prevision  of  his  early  death. 

"  In  September,  after  his  father  had  left  Vevey  en  route  for 
America,  he  said,  as  in  a  reverie,  '  I  shall  not  see  the  governor 
any  more.'  And  on  the  17th  of  October,  just  before  starting 
for  his  post  of  duty,  he  said  to  me,  with  the  look  of  one  whose 
thoughts  were  far  away,  '  I  go  to  Rome — 

"  '  If  thou  shouldst  never  see  my  face  again, 

Pray  for  my  soul.     More  things  are  wrought  by  prayer, 
Than  this  world  dreams  of  ! ' 


€06  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  Of  this  quotation  from  Tennyson,  so  dreamily  uttered,  I 
wrote  to  his  mother. 

"  We  learn  from  the  attending  nurses  that  during  his  long 
illness,  he  showed  far  more  solicitude  about  giving  them 
trouble,  and  about  the  anxieties  of  his  dear  relatives  in  New 
York,  than  about  his  recovery. 

"  He  was  stricken  down  by  that  fell  destroyer,  the  Koman 
typhoid  fever,  soon  after  he  had  been,  appointed  to  a  still 
higher  position,  that  of  Charge  (P  Affaires,  on  the  departure  of 
Mr.  Astor  from  Rome.  During  the  first  stage  of  his  illness  he 
still  attended  to  his  duties.  By  the  desire  of  his  Excellency, 
the  German  Ambassador,  he  was  removed  from  his  apartments, 
for  the  sake  of  better  air  and  attention,  to  the  bailding  con- 
nected with  the  Palace  of  the  German  Embassy.  It  is  situated 
in  the  midst  of  extensive  gardens,  reaching  to  the  celebrated 
Tarpeian  Rock,  and  commands  a  magnificent  view.  The  most 
devoted  trained  nurses  and  the  most  eminent  physicians  at- 
tended him.  But  in  spite  of  all  this  love  and  care  he  succumbed 
at  last,  after  an  illness  of  thirty-six  days.  On  a  beautiful 
sunny  morning  on  the  16th  day  of  April,  at  10:40  A.  M.,  his 
pure  and  manly  spirit,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty  five,  took  its 
flight  to  its  native  home  eternal  in  the  heavens.  He  breathed 
his  last  in  the  arms  of  his  faithful  friend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nevin, 
rector  of  St.  Paul's.  It  was  a  balmy  morning  of  early  spring 
in  Rome;  the  windows  of  his  spacious  chamber  overlooking  the 
beautiful  gardens  of  the  Capitoline  Hill  were  open,  and  on  the 
instant  that  he  closed  his  eyes  for  the  last  time,  the  little  sing- 
ing bird,  kindly  sent  to  him  by  Mrs.  Astor  to  cheer  him  during 
his  long  illness,  sang  its  last  song,  fluttered  violently  against 
the  drinking-cup  in  the  cage,  knocked  it  aside,  and  winged  its 
■way  to  realms  unknown;  no  one  ever  saw  it  more.  Its  last  song 
vras  sung  for  its  dear  master  and  it  followed  on  the  spirit's 
track,  where,  we  know  not,  nor  do  we  wish  to  rend  the  veil 
which  hides  so  much  from  our  knowledge.  Even  his  death  was 
lovely,  if  death  can  ever  be.  One  morning  near  the  last,  he 
woke  from  a  short  slumber,  and,  with  the  dawn  of  heaven  upon 
his  face,  he  said  to.  one  of  his  faithful  nurses,  I  have  had  a 
beautiful  vision.  I  have  seen  Jesus,  and  he  has  forgiven  all  my 
sins,  and  I  am  very  happy.' 

"  Those  who  were  present  all  noted  the  striking  coincidence 
of  the  simultaneous  flight  of  the  spirit  and  of  the  little  bird, 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  607 

and  they  tell  us  that,  as  he  closed  his  eyes,  the  countenance 
beamed  with  heavenly  light  and  a  smile  passed  over  his  face, 
which  did  not  fade  away.     Heaven  has  one  angel  more. 

"  The  funeral  was  a  solemn,  overwhelming  scene:  the  capa- 
cious church  was  crowded;  large  numbers  sought  to  enter  who 
could  not  get  in,  and  lingered  outside.  The  whole  American 
Colony,  the  entire  Diplomatic  Corps,  many  of  the  Italian  no- 
bility, and  numerous  other  friends  were  there. 

"  T]ie  divine  hymn  by  Cardinal  Newman— '  Lead  Kindly 
Light' — which  this  youth  so  much  loved,  and  which  I  heard 
him  repeat  but  a  few  months  before,  was  sung  at  his  funeral; 
and  in  a  rain  of  tears  the  last  lines  were  rendered: 

"  '  So  long  thy  power  hath  blessed  me,  sure  it  still  will  lead  me  on 
O'er  moor  and  fen,  o'er  crag  and  torrent  till  the  night  is  gone. 
And  with  the  morn  those  angel  faces  smile, 
Which  I  have  loved  long  since,  and  lost  awhile.' 

"The  pall-bearers,  selected  by  the  ^o?/e?i  of  the  Diplomatic 
Corps,  his  Excellency,  Baron  von  Keudell,  the  German  Ambassa- 
dor, were  as  follows: 

"  His  Excellency  the  Italian  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

' '  His  Excellency  the  Grerman  Ambassador. 

"His  Excellency  the  Russian  Ambassador. 

"  His  Excellency  the  French  Ambassador. 

"  His  Excellency  the  English  Ambassador. 

"  An  Adjutant,  the  Count  Gianotti,  representing  his  Majesty 
the  King  of  Italy. 

"  A  delegate,  the  Duke  di  Fiano,  representing  the  Mayor  of 
Rome. 

"  The  Consul-General  of  the  United  States. 

"  The  floral  offerings  were  numerous  and  magnificent.  An 
enormous  wreath  was  placed  on  the  coffin  by  the  Mayor  of 
Rome  for  the  Roman  Municipality,  with  a  broad  Roman  ribband 
embroidered  with  gold  with  this  tribute,  Senatus  Populus- 
que  Romanus,  '  The  Senate  and  Peoj)le  of  Rome,'  an  honor 
shown  to  the  old  Roman  heroes  and  men  of  renown.  A  mag- 
nificent cross  of  white  roses  was  sent  from  Paris  by  the  late 
Minister,  Hon.  Wm.  Waldorf  Astor,  Splendid  wreaths  were 
also  sent  from  the  Marchesa  Gavotti,  Conte  Malatesta,  the  Prin- 
cess di  Vicovaro,  the  Contessa  Gianotti,  from  Mr.  James  Gor- 
don Bennett,  and  from  other  American  friends  resident  in  Rome, 
too  numerous  to  name  in   this  sketch;    and    the   distinguished 


608  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

sculptor  and  poet  Story,  together  with  his  gifted  son,  were  pro- 
fuse in  their  kindness  and  contributed  also  their  charming  skill 
in  the  artistic  arrangement  of  these  fragrant  oflferings  of  sor- 
rowing admiration  and  love. 

"  What  a  scene  that  must  have  been  in  the  Church  of  St. 
Paul's  on  the  18th  of  April,  at  four  P.  M.  The  rich  casket, 
holding  the  precious  form  wrapped  in  his  country's  flag,  covered 
with  flowers  and  wreaths;  the  entire  edifice  filled.  No  eyes  were 
dry,  sobs  were  heard  on  every  side,  and  all  seemed  overcome  by 
the  affecting  service.  Rich  and  poor,  nobles  and  servants,  all 
came  to  do  him  honor.  For  this  bright  spirit,  so  trustful,  so 
happy,  so  full  of  faith  in  himself  and  others,  death  was  but  a 
transition  from  this  world,  in  which,  although  he  found  it  so 
beautiful  and  happy,  the  time  would  still  have  come  when  sor- 
row and  disappointment  must  have  overshadowed  his  cloudless 
sky — it  is  the  fate  of  each  mortal  child — to  some  it  comes  early, 
to  others  late  in  life,  to  him  it  never  came  and  now  never  can 
come.  All  smiled  on  him,  and  I  truly  believe  he  was  one  of  the 
favored  few  to  whom  God  grants  this  happy  serene  life  and 
takes  them  early  to  himself  so  as  to  spare  them  the  storms  and 
trials  awaiting  a  longer  life.  For  him  all  was  fullness  of  joy 
and  peace;  he  now  beholds  that  glory  to  which  the  apostle  re- 
fers: '  Eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered 
into  the  heart  of  man  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for 
them  that  love  him.' 

"His  remains  lie  embalmed  in  the  Mortuary  Chapel  at  Rome, 
waiting  to  be  sent  home  and  placed  in  the  rural  church jj-ard 
near  his  father's  country-seat,  on  the  beautiful  banks  of  the 
Hudson. 

"  His  father  and  mother  had  started  from  New  York  with  the 
confiding  hope  that  their  son  was  convalescent,  and  that  they 
could  take  him  away  from  Rome  to  recruit  in  a  more  bracing 
air.  Words  cannot  tell  the  grief  which  befell  them,  when,  on 
arriving  at  Southampton,  the  first  tidings  that  greeted  them 
was  the  following,  from  the  London  Times: 

"  '  Funeral  of  Mr.  Pierrepont. 

"  'Rome,  April  19. 
"  'The  funeral  services  of  Mr.  Edward  Pierrepont,  the  United 
States  Charge  rT  Affair  en  ^  was  performed  yesterday  afternoon 
at  St.  Paul's  in  the  Via  Nazionale. 


TOWN   OF  PHILXPSTOWN.  609 

"  'The  pall-bearers  were  the  Ambassadors  of  Germany,  Aus- 
tria and  Russia,  the  Duke  di  Fiano,  representing  King  Hum- 
bert, the  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs,  the  Belgian  Minister, 
the  American  Consul-General,  and  a  representative  of  the 
Roman  municipality.  The  cofRn.  completely  covered  with 
beautiful  fresh  flowers,  was  placed  on  the  chancel  floor.  The 
service  was  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  JSevin,  the  United  States 
chaplain,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jex  Blake,  Head  Master  of 
Rugby,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pickance,  British  assistant  chap- 
lain. 

"  '  The  church  was  crowded  with  American  residents  in  and 
visitors  of  Rome,  together  with  many  English  and  Italian  friends 
of  Mr.  Pierrepont,  whose  premature  death  has  created  a  deep 
impression  and  is  sincerely  lamented.  The  official  funeral 
service  ended  at  the  church,  as  there  was  to  be  no  burial  at 
the  cemetery.  The  remains  were  deposited  in  the  receiving  vault 
to  await  the  arrival  of  the  deceased's  father,  the  Honorable 
Edwards  Pierrepont,  late  United  States  Minister  in  London, 
who  is  now  at  sea,  having  sailed  for  Southampton  the  day  be- 
fore his  son  died.' 

"  On  the  sancity  of  their  grief  we  may  not  intrude.  But  how 
tenderly  is  this  grief  expressed  by  Tennyson's  lines,  which  his 
father  wrote  me  after  his  sad  journey  to  Rome: 

"  '  still  in  these  ears  till  hearing  dies, 
One  set  slow  bell  will  seem  to  toll 
The  passing  of  the  sweetest  soul 
That  ever  looked  with  human  eyes.' 

"Mrs.  M.  E.  W.  Sherwood,  a  charming  writer  from  New 
York,  having  spent  the  winter  in  Rome,  knew  young  Pierre- 
pont well,  and  published  in  the  New  York  Tribune  the  follow- 
ing account  ; 

"  'EDWARD    PIERREPONT. 

"  '  A  Lif e  of  Rare  promise  ended^The  Young  Diplomatist's 
Character  and  Career, 

"  '  7'o  the  Editor  of  the  Tribune  : 

"  '  Sir: — Long  before  this  reaches  you  your  paper  will  have 
made  the  saddest  of  all  announcements,  the  ending  in  its  bright 
morning  of  a  promising  life.  But  it  must  be  permitted  to  an 
old  friend  of  his  father  and  mother — one,  too,  deeply  indebted 
to  young  Pierrepont  for  kindly  attentions  in  Rome— to  speak 
of  the  impression  he  left  there;  of  his  many  virtues,  graces  and 

39 


610  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

accomplishments;  of  his  noble  ambitions,  of  his  tireless  unself- 
ishness, of  his  literary  promise,  of  his  amiable  disposition  and 
his  good  heart,  all  of  which  were  revealed  by  his  every  day 
life,  all  of  which  made  him  friends  who  will  not  soon 
forget  him,  all  of  which  drew  tears  from  those  who  were  not 
used  to  weep,  as  they  thought  of  the  pathetic  deathbed  where, 
calling  for  father  and  mother,  he  finally  yielded  up  his 
breath. 

" 'A  singularly  handsome  young  man,  with  all  the  accom- 
plishments of  the  salon,  with  an  Oxford  education  behind  him, 
young  Pierrepont  was  much  courted,  and  could  have  offered 
the  excuse  of  preoccupation  when  asked,  as  he  often  was,  to 
assist  his  country  people  when  they  applied  at  the  Legation 
for  certain  privileges;  but  it  was  not  the  fashion  of  his  chief  to 
refuse,  nor  was  it  ever  the  fault  of  young  Pierrepont.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Astor  never  failed  in  their  courtesy;  their  young  friend 
and  secretary  never  failed  in  his. 

"  'Young  Pierrepont  had  brave  ambitions;  he  had,  alas  !  a 
great  belief  in  his  own  future;  he  had  essayed  authorship;  he 
had  hoped  to  be  a  diplomatist;  he  craved  too  much  of  the 
world's  work;  his  ambition  was  greater  than  his  strength. 
When  there  fell  upon  his  young  shoulders  the  added  duties  of 
the  Legation,  which,  as  Charge  d'  Affaires,  he  took  upon  him- 
self after  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Astor,  he  trembled  under  the 
burden.  He,  however,  would  work  night  and  day,  and  fever, 
the  dreadful  fever  of  Rome,  came  upon  him.  He  strove  to 
rise  from  a  sick  bed  to  do  his  work,  and  fell  back  never  to 
rise  again.  It  was  a  long  and  weary  illness,  full  of  fluctuations 
of  hope  and  fear.  He  fought  bravely  for  his  young  life,  but 
he  was  destined  to  go,  leaving  his  friends  but  the  memory  of  a 
sweet  and  charming  nature,  which  shone  out  brightly  to  the 
end,  '  trailing  clouds  of  glory '  after  it,  as  does  the  death  of 
the  early  doomed.  We  who  knew  and  loved  him  now  remem- 
ber that  he  had  the  look  and  the  atmosphere  of  those  whom  the 
French  call  ^predestine.'' 

"  '  It  was  hard  to  fill  the  place  which  Mr.  Astor  left.  Himself 
a  consummate  man  of  affairs  with  knowledge  of  the  world,  an 
admirable  linguist,  with  that  power  which  comes  with  intense 
interest  in  the  doing  everything  well,  conscientious  and 
thoughtful,  few  men  have  ever  filled  the  post  of  foreign  Min- 
ister so  well  as  he  has  done.     No  wonder  that  the  duties  which 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  611 

officially  on  the  14th  of  March  he  was  obliged  to  give  over  to 
Mr.  Pierrepont  were  too  heavy  for  such  young  shoulders.  The 
anxiety  of  Mr.  Astor  for  his  young  friend  kept  him  several 
days  at  Rome,  and  as  he  traveled  northward  he  ordered  tele- 
grams to  follow  hira  twice  a  day  as  to  the  state  of  young  Pierre- 
pont's  malady.  It  would  be  impossible  to  exaggerate  the  grief 
which  has  followed  the  death  of  this  brilliant  and  promising 
young  man.  Associated  in  every  one's  mind  with  scenes  of 
gaiety,  balls,  parties,  dinners  and  receptions,  great  Court  cere- 
monials, and  all  that  comes  of  the  life  of  a  young  and 
fashionable  man,  it  is  pleasant  to  remember  that  the  law  of 
kindness  was  with  him  the  ruling  law;  he  never  forgot  his 
friends;  his  arm  was  always  at  the  service  of  those  who  needed 
it;  his  ready  sympathy  never  retarded  by  selfishness,  he  was 
the  most  thoroughbred  and  the  most  amiable  of  men;  and 
when  fatal  illness  was  known  to  have  seized  him,  daily  and 
hourly  were  the  inquiries  at  his  door.  The  faithful  rector  of 
St.  Paul's  Church,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nevin,  watched  by  his  bedside 
day  and  night,  and  three  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  sought 
to  save  him. 

"' His  funeral  services  drew  forth  all  that  was  best  in  the 
American  and  Roman  society.  All  the  Corps  Diplomatique  at- 
tended in  a  body.  The  Count  Gianotti  represented  the  King; 
the  Honorable  old  Minister  Mancini  held  the  cords  of  his  pall, 
which  was  borne  by  the  German,  Russian,  French  and  English 
Ambassadors  and  the  Belgian  Minister;  the  noblest  members  of 
the  Roman  aristocracy  were  present,  showing  great  feeling.  Dr. 
Nevin,  his  faithful  friend,  conducted  the  services.  His  body 
was  wrapped  in  the  American  flag  and  enclosed  in  three  coffins; 
a  guard  of  honor  was  sent  by  the  King;  the  American  Colony, 
in  deep  grief  and  silent  tears',  followed  him  to  the  temporary 
resting-place  in  the  English  cemetery.  And  so  from  the  most 
hopeful  destiny,  from  the  highest  position,  in  his  young  prime, 
with  all  before  him  to  live  for,  Edward  Pierrepont  went,  nobly 
escorted,  to  his  early  grave.  He  unconsciously  pronounced  his 
own  epitaph.  In  speaking  to  a  lady,  who  told  him  that  she  had 
written  to  his  parents  of  his  kindness  and  of  his  successful  social 
and  diplomatic  career,  he  uttered  gratefnl  thanks,  and  with  his 
warm,  boyish,  cordial  smile  (which  all  who  have  ever  seen  him 
will  remember),  he  spoke  these  modest  words:  '  I  hope  that  you 
impressed  upon  my  father  that  I  am  trying  hard  to  do  my 


612  HISTORY    0¥  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

duty.'     And  there  are  few  monuments  in  Westminster  Abbey 
that  bear  a  more  satisfactory  record  of  the  best  of  all  ambitions. 

'"M.  E.  W.  S. 
"  '  Aix-les-Bains,  April  21st,  1885.' 

"  A  very  kind  letter  from  Hon.  Thomas  F.  Bayard,  Secretary 
of  State,  and  an  extract  from  the  official  dispatch  which  he 
sends,  will  end  this  sketch: 

"  'Department  of  State. 

"  'Washington,  May  11th,  1885. 
"  '  Hon.  Edwards  Pierrepont,  New  York  City: 

"  '  I  have  the  honor  to  communicate  to  you  the  enclosed  of- 
ficial information  of  the  ceremonies  at  the  American  Church  of 
St.  Paul's  in  Rome,  on  the  unusually  sad  occasion  of  the  final 
religious  services  attending  the  interment  of  the  remains  of 
Edward  Pierrepont,  late  Charge  d^  Affaires  of  the  United  States 
in  Italy,  and  to  express  to  you  not  only  my  personal  sympathy 
with  yon  in  this  severe  bereavement,  but  the  regrets  of  the  I)e- 
partment,  for  the  loss  of  so  highly  valued  an  officer. 

"' The  report  of  the  obsequies  which  I  enclose,   evinces  the 
high  degree  of  estimation  in  which  your  son  was  held  by  the 
Diplomatic  Corps  and  municipal  officers  of  Rome. 
"  '  I  am.  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

'"T.  F.  Bayard.' 

"The  official  dispatch  of  Mr.  Byers,  the  Consul  General, 
dated  April  19th,  1885,  mentioned  in  the  letter  of  the  Secretary 
of  State,  after  announcing  the  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
16th,  says: 

"  '  The  greatest  regret  is  felt  at  his  death  among  a  large  circle 
of  friends  in  Rome,  and  his  colleagues  of  the  Diplomatic  Corps. 
I  need  not  add  how  much  the  regret  is  shared  in  by  myself  and 
other  members  of  this  office,  who  have  had  the  pleasure  of 
knowing  Mr.  Pierrepont  closely  and  of  experiencing  daily  the 
fine  and  kindly  traits  of  his  character. 

"  'The  funeral  ceremonies  took  place  yesterday,  the  18th,  at 
the  American  Church  of  St.  Paul's,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Nevin,  Rector 
of  the  Church,  and  the  Rev.  Jex  Blake,  Head  Master  of  Rugby 
College,  England,  officiating. 

"'The  whole  of  the  American  Colony,  with  many  Italian 
friends  of  Mr.  Pierrepont,  were  present.  There  were  also  present 
the  entire  Diplomatic  Corps,   his  Excellency  Signor  Mancini, 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWW.  613 

Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  the  representatives  of  the  different 
departments  of  the  government,  and  of  his  Majesty  the  King  of 
Italy,  and  of  the  Royal  Household. 

'"The  pall-bearers,  as  selected  by  the  Dean  of  the  Diplomatic 
Corps,  his  Excellency  Baron  von  Keudell,  the  German  Ambas- 
sador, were  as  follows: 

"  '  His  Excellency  the  Italian  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

"  'His  Excellency  the  Ambassador  of  Germany. 

"  "His  Excellency  the  Russian  Ambassador. 

"  'His  Excellency  the  Ambassador  of  Prance. 

"  '  His  Excellency  the  Ambassador  of  England. 

"  '  An  Adjutant  representing  his  Majesty  the  King  of  Italy. 

"  'A  Delegate  representing  the  Mayor  of  Rome. 

"  'The  Consul- General  of  the  United  States. 

"'The  fioral  offerings  were  many  and  splendid,  noticeably 
so,  an  enormous  wreath  placed  on  the  coffin  by  the  Mayor  of 
Rome. 

"  '  A  guard  of  honor  was  sent  by  the  King.' 

"This  humble  tribute  is  dedicated  to  the  memory  of  a  young 

friend,  ■ 

"  '  Long  loved 
And  lost  awhile.' 

"  Chalet  Beauval, 

"Vevey,  September,  1885. 

"R.  L.  L.  Brunnow." 

Hon.  Daniel  P.  Ingraham  and  Arthur  iNGRAHAM.^Mr. 
Arthur  Ingraham  is  a  son  of  the  late  Hon.  Daniel  P.  Ingraham, 
whose  services  as  a  New  York  jurist  and  judge  won  for  him 
such  a  distinguished  place  among  the  members  of  his  profes- 
sion and  in  the  community  at  large. 

"  A  native  of  the  city  of  New  York  and  a  graduate  of  Colum- 
bia College  in  the  year  1817,  Judge  Ingraham  commenced  the 
study  of  his  profession  in  the  office  of  Richard  Riker,  jr.,  for 
many  years  recorder  of  the  city,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  the  year  1821,  and  subse- 
quently in  due  course  in  the  other  courts  of  the  State.  He  en- 
tered upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  which  he  very  soon 
attained  eminent  success,  and  early  secured  the  confidence  of  his 
fellow  citizens  by  whom  he  was  repeatedly  elected  to  represent 
them  in  the  Board  of  Aldermen. 


614  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"While  an  Alderman  Judge  Ingraham  was  frequently  called 
upon  to  officiate  as  associate  justice  in  the  Court  of  Oyer  and 
Terminer,  and  in  the  other  criminal  courts  of  the  city.  In  the 
year  1838,  being  at  that  time  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  he  was 
appointed  by  Grovernor  Marcy  and  then  entered  upon  that  ex-. 
tended  judicial  career  which  only  terminated  with  his  retire- 
ment from  the  Bench,  on  the  31st  of  December,  1873,  when,  in 
consequence  of  the  constitutional  prohibition,  he  was  no  longer 
eligible  for  re-election,  having  thus  remained  in  uninterrupted 
judicial  service  for  thirty-five  years,  a  longer  period,  it  is  be- 
lieved, than  that  of  any  other  judicial  officer  in  the  history  of 
the  State  up  to  that  time. 

"  Judge  Ingraham  possessed  mental  qualities  of  a  high  order, 
and  united  with  these,  habits  of  close  study  and  application 
which  were  maintained  throughout  his  long  career.  The  an- 
nals of  our  jurisprudence  are  illustrated  by  the  judgments 
rendered  by  him  in  various  causes,  which  came  before  him  for 
adjudication,  the  records  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  volumes 
of  the  reports  of  the  various  courts  of  which  he  was  from  time 
to  time  a  member. 

"  With  a  native  dignity  of  manner  and  judicial  temperament 
of  a  high  order,  there  was  also  united  in  Judge  Ingraham  a 
courtesy  and  a  kindness  of  manner  that  made  his  intercourse 
with  the  members  of  the  Bar  always  pleasant  and  agreeable. 
His  later  years  of  retirement  were  passed  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
domestic  life  which  was  of  rare  attractiveness  and  beauty,  and 
in  intercourse  with  his  professional  and  other  friends.  On  the 
12th  day  of  December,  1881,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-one, 
he  passed  away  from  the  scene  of  a  long  and  useful  life  on  earth 
to  enter  upon  the  life  immortal  in  the  Heavens'." 

Arthur,  son  of  Judge  Ingraham,  of  whom  we  write,  was  born 
in  New  York  city,  September  26th,  1849.  After  a  preparatory 
course  of  study  in  the  school  of  the  well  known  Professor 
Benjamin  Dwight,  he  entered  Columbia  College  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1870.  Soon  afterward  he  entered  the  office  of  the 
famous  bankers,  J.  Cook  &  Co.,  remaining  with  them  till  their 
failure  in  1873.  Since  then  Mr.  Ingraham  has  lived  a  retired 
life,  his  summers  being  spent  in  Philipstown,  Putnam  county, 
and  his  winters  in  New  York  city. 

'The  above  is  an  extract  from  a  Memorial  Volume  published  shortly  after  Judge, 
Ingi-aham's  death,  by  judges  and  members  of  the  Bar  of  New  York  city. 


Ary^ 


fr 


'Er^^hLj   HB.Ec'ils  Sans  A"y~ 


TOWN  -OF   PIIILIPSTOWN.  615 

His  zeal  in  bebalf  of  the  democratic  party  led  to  his  nomina- 
tion in  1883  for  Assemblyman  from  Pntnam.  He  failed  of  elec- 
tion, however,  being  beaten  by  the  republican  candidate. 

Mr.  Ingraham  has  travelled  extensively  and  is  widely  known 
in  business  and  social  circles.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
both  the  Manhattan  and  St.  Nicholas  Clubs  in  New  York  city, 
and  is  greatly  esteemed  for  his  liberal  spirit  and  cordial  dis- 
position. 

GrOUVERNEUR  Kemble'  was  born  January  25th,  1786,  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  being  the  eldest  son  of  Peter  Kemble,  Esq., 
then  the  head  of  one  of  the  old  English  families  of  that  city. 
Its  members  had  for  several  generations  been  conspicuous  in 
commercial  pursuits,  Mr.  Peter  Kemble  being  himself  a  mer- 
chant in  the  foreign  trade. 

Gouverneur  Kemble  was  educated  in  New  York  and  graduated 
from  Columbia  College  in  1803.  As  a  young  man  he  was  a 
familiar  associate  (and,  indeed,  the  intimacy,  for  the  most  part, 
continued  during  their  respective  lives)  of  Washington  Irving, 
Peter  Irving,  James  R.  Paulding,  Henry  Brevoort,  Henry  Og- 
den  and  others,  who  formed  a  coterie  prominent  in  the  society 
of  that  time  in  New  York;  and  whose  frolics  at  Cockloft  Hall 
(an  old  family  mansion  on  the  Passaic,  inherited  by  Kemble) 
and  elsewhere  formed  material  for  many  of  the  whimwJiams  of 
Salmagundi. 

Early  in  life  he  was  appointed  United  States  Consul  at  Cadiz, 
and  during  his  residence  there  his  attention  was  attracted  to 
the  process  of  casting  cannon  as  practised  by  the  Spanish 
government,  at  that  time  well  advanced  in  this  art  as  compared 
with  the  other  European  countries. 

He  acquainted  himself  with  all  its  details  with  the  view  of 
introducing  the  art  into  his  own  country,  and,  on  his  return 
home,  he  established,  in  connection  with  several  other  gentle- 
men, about  the  year  1814,  at  Cold  Spring,  nearly  opposite  the 
military  post  of  West  Point,  a  gun  foundry,  under  patronage 
of  the  United  States  Government,  the  need  of  such  an  establish- 
ment having  been  demonstrated  by  the  recent  war  of  1812,  a 
charter  having  been  obtained  from  the  State  of  New  York, 
under  the  title  of  the  West  Point  Foundry  Association. 

The  obstacles  to  success  were  many,  skilled  artisans  being 
'By  J.  ^.  Paulding. 


616  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM.  COUNTY. 

difficult  to  procure,  especially  as  little  aid  could  be  obtained 
from  England,  our  natural  source  of  supply,  by  reason  of  the 
severe  penalties  against  the  emigration  of  mechanics  and  artisans 
then  rigidly  enforced  by  the  British  Government. 

Nevertheless  the  experiment  was  successful,  and  in  course  of 
time  the  gun  foundry  was  not  only  extended  and  perfected,  but 
the  establishment  became  one  of  the  largest  general  foundries 
and  machine  works  in  the  country. 

Mr.  Kemble  continued  to  be  president  of  the  association  until 
the  expiration  of  its  charter. 

Mr.  Kemble  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  being  a  strong 
adherent  of  the  democratic  party.  He  was  elected  member  of 
Congress  for  the  district  comprising  Westchester  and  Putnam 
counties,  and  served  two  terms  during  the  administration  of 
President  Van  Buren. 

He  was  also  elected  a  delegate  to  the  convention  for  the  re- 
vising of  the  constiJ;ution  of  the  State  of  New  York  in  1846, 
which  perfected  the  system  of  government  now  in  force. 

Mr.  Kemble  was  a  gentleman  of  cultivated  tastes,  particularly 
as  regards  paintings,  of  which  he  collected,  during  his  life,  a 
considerable  gallery,  containing  many  choice  specimens  of  the 
work  of  various  artists,  including  some  of  the  productions  of 
the  great  masters  of  the  Italian  and  Spanish  schools. 

His  hospitality  was  of  the  old-fashioned  open-house  order, 
and,  for  many  years  he  kept  up  the  habit  of  providing,  every 
Saturday,  a  dinner  for  a  large  company  in  his  residence  at  Cold 
Spring,  to  which  the  professors  and  principal  officers  of  the  Mil- 
itary Academy  of  West  Point  had  a  standing  invitation  for 
themselves  and  for  any  persons  of  note  who  might  be  sojourning 
at  the  post.  At  this  table  many  of  the  most  distinguished  men 
of  the  country  of  all  civil  professsions  as  well  as  military  and 
naval,  and  all  the  political  parties  during  nearly  half  a  century, 
have  taken  their  places  at  one  time  or  another,  together  with 
many  foreigners  of  note;  and,  probably,  at  few  other  private 
boards  have  been  present  so  brilliant  assemblies  of  talent  and 
learning  of  all  kinds,  and  where  the  absence  of  formality  and  os- 
tentation put  the  guests  so  much  at  their  ease  as  to  give  play  to 
their  respective  characteristics. 

Mr.  Kemble  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  89,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 18th,  1875,  greatly  regretted  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWK.  617 

by  the  entire  community  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  he 
lived,  who  regarded  him  as  the  father  as  well  as  founder  of  the 
village. 

William  D.  Garrison,  one  of  the  most  prominent  represen- 
tatives of  the  Garrison  family,  so  long  identified  with  the  life 
and  growth  of  Putnam  county,  and  the  present  well  known 
manager  of  the  "  Grand  Union  Hotel,"  in  New  York  city,  is 
descended  from  Gerret  Gerretsen,  who  came  to  Staten  Island  in 
the  "Gilded  Beaver,"  in  1660.  Of  this  original  settler  little  is 
known  except  that  he  was  an  honest  and  God  fearing  man. 
This  is  clearly  shown  by  a  certificate  of  character,  written  in 
the  Dutch  language,  and  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Hartman 
Van  Wagenen,  South  Bergen,  N.  J.,  of  which  the  following  is 
a  correct  translation: 

"We  Bergomasters,  Schehens,  and  Councillors  of  city  of 
Wagennin  Declare:  by  these  presents,  that  there  appeared  be- 
fore us,  Hendrick  Glissen  and  Jordiz  Sparers,  citizens  of  this 
city,  at  the  request  of  Gerret  Gerretsen  and  Anna  Hermansse, 
his  wife.  They  have  testified  and  certified,  as  they  do  by  these 
presents,  that  they  have  good  knowledge  of  the  above  named 
Gerret  Gerretsen  and  Anna  Hermansse,  his  wife,  as  to  their  life 
and  conversation,  and  that  thej'^  have  always  been  considered 
and  esteemed  as  pious  and  honest  people,  and  that  no  complaint 
of  any  evil  or  disorderly  conduct  has  ever  reached  their  ears; 
on  the  contrary,  they  have  always  led  quiet,  pious  and  honest 
lives,  as  it  becomes  pious  and  honest  persons.  They  especially 
testify  that  they  govern  their  family  well,  and  bring  up  their 
children  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  all  modesty  and  respecta- 
bility. As  the  above  named  persons  have  resolved  to  remove 
and  proceed  to  the  New  Netherlands  in  order  to  find  a  greater 
convenience,  they  give  this  attestation,  grounded  on  their 
knowledge  of  them,  having  known  them  intimately,  and  having 
been  in  continual  intercourse  with  them  for  many  years,  living 
in  the  same  neighborhood. 

"In  testimony  of  the  truth,  we,  the  Bergomasters  of  the 
city  have  caused  the  secret  seal  of  the  city  to  be  imprinted  on 
thi-s  paper. 

"  Done  at  Wagennin  27th  November,  1660. 

"By  the  ordinance  of  the  same. 

(Seal)  (Signatures)." 


618  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  first  member  of  the  family  in  Pntnam  county  was  Harry 
Garrison,  who  came  to  what  is  now  known  as  "Gai-rison's  "  in 
the  year  1786,  purchased  land  there,  and  engaged  as  a  farmer. 
He  married  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Nelson,  who  was  also  a  grand- 
daughter of  Jacob  Mandeville,  the  purchaser  of  a  portion  of 
the  Beverly  Robinson  property,  famous  as  the  scene  of  Arnold's 
treason.  Mr.  Mandeville  is  well  known  throughout  Putnam 
county  as  the  builder  of  '•  Red  House,"  now  standing,  and 
recognized  as  one  of  the  historic  buildings  of  the  county.  Harry 
Garrison  became  in  time  an  important  character  in  Putnam  and 
his  name  is  preserved  in  many  of  its  documents.  He  was  greatly 
respected  by  the  people  among  whom  he  led  an  exemplary  and 
straightforward  life. 

Hon.  John  Garrison,  father  of  William  D.  Garrison,  and  the 
only  son  of  Harry  Garrison  who  lived  to  grow  up  and  marry, 
was  also  a  man  of  much  prominence.  He  was  born  at  Garrison 
in  1795,  and  died  there  in  1867.  He  was  Judge  of  Putna  m 
county,  and  for  two  terms  represented  the  county  in  the  State 
Legislature.  He  also  served  as  surrogate,  sheriff  and  justice  of 
the  peace,  holding  the  latter  office  for  forty  consecutive  years. 
In  1829,  he  established  the  ferry  to  West  Point  which  eighteen 
years  later,  gave  his  name  to  the  east  landing.  After  the  con- 
struction of  the  Hudson  River  Road,  a  station  was  placed  here 
and  the  name  was  changed  from  Garrison  Landing  to  Garrison 
Station,  being  again  altered  upon  the  establishment  of  the  Post 
Office  to  Garrison's,  by  which  it  is  at  present  known. 

Mr.  Garrison  maiTied  Miss  Martha  Dominick,  daughter  of 
James  W.  Dominick,  of  New  York  city.  He  had  nine  chil- 
dren, of  whom  William  D.  was  the  eighth. 

William  D.  was  born  at  Highland  Home  (so  named  when  the 
house  was  built  in  1819),  Garrison's,  September  10th,  1838.  Till 
1853  he  attended  the  district  school,  which  he  left  at  that  time 
to  enter  the  Greenwich  Academy,  Conn.,  then  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  Elisha  Howe.  After  finishing  his  education  at 
Greenwich  Mr.  Garrison,  in  February,  1856,  Journeyed  to  Chi- 
cago, HI.,  where  he  became  clerk  in  a  hardware  store,  remain- 
ing thus  employed  till  obliged  by  the  breaking  down  of  his 
health  to  return  east.  In  November,  1859,  together  with  his 
brother,  he  started  a  country  store  at  Garrison's,  the  firm  be- 
ing known  as  G.  F.  &  W.  D.  Garrison.  This  partnership 
continued  till  November,  1862,  when  Mr.  Garrison  sold  his  share 


TOWN   OF  PHIIIPSTOWN.  619 

of  the  business,  purchasing  a  farm  at  Plainfield,  N.  J.,  upon 
which  he  settled,  in  1864,  after  marrying  February  10th,  1863, 
Mrs.  Emma  Louise  Taylor,  widow  of  Joseph  J.  Taylor. 

In  the  spring  of  1866,  he  returned  again  to  his  birthplace,  and 
in  connection  with  his  brother,  opened  the  "Highland  House," 
one  of  the  best  known  summer  resorts  on  the  Hudson,  the  firm 
being  as  before,  G.  F.  &  W.  D.  Grarrison.  Under  the  efiicient 
management  of  these  brothers,  the  hotel  reached  a  degree  of 
success  and  popularity  hitherto  unthought  of  and  they  soon 
attained  a  reputation  as  hotel  managers,  which  finally  resulted 
in  the  calling  of  Mr.  William  D.  Garrison,  in  1873,  to  the  man- 
agement of  the  then  struggling  Grand  Union  Hotel,  in  New 
York  city.  The  following,  with  slight  alteration,  is  from  a  New 
York  journal,  issued  in  1880.  Speaking  in  relation  to  the  Grand 
Union  Hotel,  it  says:  "The  hotel  had  been  opened,  a  few  years 
previously— to  Mr.  Garrison's  coming — bat  had  not  prospered, 
and  the  owner  was  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  do.  From  the 
commencement  of  Mr.  Garrison's  administration  at  the  Grand 
Union,  the  hotel  seemed  to  take  new  lease  of  life  and  prosper- 
ity, and  the  fact  that  it  is  to  day  one  of  the  most  popular  and 
successful  hotels  in  the  United  States  is  wholly  due  to  his  un- 
tiring efforts  and  superior  executive  ability.  In  some  respects, 
to  quote  from  a  recent  article  in  an  exchange,  Mr.  Garrison  is  a 
remarkable  man. 

"Aside  from  all  the  duties  of  his  position,  he  is  one  of  the  offi- 
cers of  the  Hotel  Association,  of  New  York,  of  which  he  was 
the  organizer;  a  member  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  Veteran 
Corps;  a  mason  in  very  high  standing;  and  is  connected  with  a 
number  of  mutual  benefit  organizations,  prominent  among  which 
are  the  Hotel  Men's  Mutual  Benefit  Association  of  the  United 
States,  of  which  he  is  now  president;  U.  S.  Benevolent  Frater- 
nity, of  which  he  is  also  president  of  a  council;  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen;  Knights  of  Honor;  Horticultural  Society 
of  New  York  City;  and  the  American  Institute  also  of  New 
York.  He  is  a  member  of  the  following  Masonic  lodges:  Kane 
Lodge,  No.  454,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Jerusalem  Chapter,  No.  8.  R. 
A.  M. ;  Adelphic  Council,  No.  7,  R.  &  S.  M. ;  Coeur  de  Lion 
Commandery,  No.  23,  K.  T. ;  Lodge  of  Perfection,  council; 
Princes  Jerusalem;  Chapter  Rose  Croix;  Consistory  of  New 
York  City,  and  the  Supreme  Council  of  the  Northern  Jurisdic- 
tion of  the  United  States  of  the  38d  and  last  degree.     Noted  for 


620  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COTJNTy. 

promptness,  he  never  missed  a  meeting,  lodge,  or  session,  and 
at  the  same  time  is  ubiquitous  at  the  Grand  Union,  keeps  every- 
thing up  to  the  highest  notch  of  discipline  and  order,  allowing 
nothing  to  escape  him,  and  yet  ever  seemingly  at  leisure  to 
pause,  shake  hands  and  say  a  few  pleasant  words. 

"  Mr.  Garrison,  besides  being  a  successful  hotel  man,  is  an  in- 
ventor and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  matters  and  things  scien- 
tific. His  method  for  testing  wines  and  liquors,  milk,  oils  and 
other  things  largely  used  by  hotels  are  original  and  have  met 
the  approval  of  the  most  eminent  scientists  of  the  day.  Mr. 
Garrison  is  well  informed  on  all  political,  local  and  social  ques- 
tions of  the  period  and  employs  his  leisure  hours  in  reading 
and  study." 

He  is  yet  in  possession  of  his  beautiful  residence  at  Gai-rison's, 
and  is  still  a  member  of  St.  Philips  Church  in  the  Highlands 
there,  in  the  Sabbath  School  of  which  he  served  for  many  years 
as  superintendent.  Harry  Garrison  was  vestryman  and  warden 
of  this  church  as  was  his  son,  John  Garrison.  William  D.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  held  the  same  office  for  many  years. 
There  are  biiried  in  the  churchyard  of  this  church  five  genera- 
tions of  the  Garrison  family. 

Like  his  ancestors  in  Putnam  county,  he  has  done  much  for 
its  welfare,  and  has,  as  the  generations  did  that  proceeded  him, 
kept  the  name  which  he  bears  free  from  stain,  and  an  honor  in 
the  community. 

James  H.  Haldane  was  born  in  Cold  Spring,  his  present 
place  of  residence,  October  4th,  1818;  his  father,  Henry  Hal- 
dane,  who  died  in  1862,  was  one  of  the  earliest  inhabitants  of 
that  village.  After  leaving  school,  Mr.  Haldane  entered  upon 
a  business  career  in  New  York,  obtaining  first  a  position  in  a 
wholesale  dry  goods  house.  During  the  period  from  1841  to 
1848  he  was  in  the  employ  of  a  firm  engaged  in  the  importation 
and  manufacture  of  iron.  In  the  latter  year  he  continued  in 
the  same  business  on  his  own  account,  and  was  soon  afterward 
joined  by  his  brother,  John  H.  Haldane,  the  business  being 
conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Haldane  &  Co.  They  acted 
as  representatives  of  some  of  the  principal  mills  in  Pennsylvania 
and  in  connection  with  similar  representation  of  English  and 
Scotch  manufacturers  they  became  one  of  the  best  known  houses 
in  this  country  in  the  iron  trade. 


Aif^ti/  ASJatchJ.!^ 


TOWN  OF  PHILIPSTOWN.  621 

Mr.  Haldane  retired  from  active  business  in  1875,  and  he  has 
since  spent  a  considerable  portion  of  his  time  abroad.  In 
politics  he  is  prominently  identified  with  the  democratic  party, 
serving  as  presidential  elector  in  1876,  and  again  in  1884. 
Although  solicited  to  accept  public  office  he  has  invariably  de- 
clined. 

John  H.  Haldane,  who  died  in  1874,  was  a  man  of  retiring 
disposition  and  quiet  tastes;  he  was  greatly  interested  in  the 
affairs  of  his  native  place  and  was  instrumental  in  the  forma- 
tioQ  of  the  Reformed  Church  at  Cold  Spring,  contributing 
largely  to  its  support  and  serving  for  many  years  as  "one  of  its 
officers. 

Robert  Parker  Parrott  was  born  October  4th,  1804,  at 
Lee,  N.  H.,  and  died  December  24th,  1877,  at  Cold  Spring,  N.  Y. 
He  entered  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy  at  West  Point  July  1st, 
1820,  and  was  graduated  with  honors  July  1st,  1824.  He  was 
appointed  second  lieutenant  in  the  Third  Regiment  of  Artillery, 
and  remained  attached  to  that  regiment  till  1834,  doing  duty  at 
several  posts,  having  been  promoted  to  a  first  lieutenancy  in 
1831. 

In  1834  he  was  assigned  to  ordnance  duty  and  in  1836  was  ap- 
pointed captain  of  ordnance. 

The  same  year  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  inspector  of  ord- 
nance in  construction  at  the  West  Point  Foundry.  Mr.  Gouver- 
neur  Kemble,  then  president  of  the  West  Point  Foundry 
Association,  appreciating  the  ability  of  Captain  Parrott,  in- 
duced him  to  resign  his  commission  in  the  army  and  assume 
the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  foundry;  and  some  three 
years  later  he  became  more  closely  connected  with  Mr.  Kemble 
by  marriage  with  the  latter' s  sister,  Miss  Mary  Kemble. 

He  continued  to  superintend  the  West  Point  Foundry  during 
the  remainder  of  the  time  it  was  operated  by  the  Association^ 
and  afterward,  during  the  period  it  was  carried  on  by  Mr. 
Kemble  under  lease  from  the  other  associates;  and  on  the  re- 
tirement of  Mr.  Kemble  from  business,  succeeded  him  as  lessee 
of  the  works,  carrying  on  the  business  until  1867,  when  he  also 
withdrew  from  its  active  prosecution. 

While  in  the  army  Captain  Parrott  had  applied  himself  a 
great  deal  to  the  subject  of  ordnance  which  had  especial  attrac- 


622  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

tion  for  him,  and  after  taking  charge  of  the  West  Point  Foundry- 
he  continued  to  give  much  time  and  thought  to  its  development, 
studying  all  publications  on  the  subject,  including  the  official 
records  of  the  practice  and  experiments  of  foreign  governments, 
and  prosecuting  a  course  of  research  and  experiment  of  his  own 
which,  indeed,  was  prolonged  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Of  the  great  success  of  the  "  Parrott"  guns  and  projectiles  it 
is  unnecessary  to  speak.  Many  thousands  were  made  for  the 
United  States  government,  and  throughout  the  protracted 
struggle  of  the  Rebellion  they  never  ceased  to  speak  for  them- 
selves in  the  most  convincing  terms. 

When  the  war,  so  long  protracted,  came  to  a  close,  he  had 
not  long  before  concluded  with  the  Ordnance  Department  a  con- 
tract for  a  large  number  of  guns  and  projectiles.  Knowing 
that  the  government  would  now  no  longer  require  them,  and 
having  no  wish  to  profit  by  furnishing  what  would  be  of  no  use 
to  it,  he  made  known  to  the  Department  that  although  he  was 
of  course  ready  to  fill  the  contract,  if  it  were  desired,  yet,  if  it 
were  considered  to  the  interest  of  the  government  to  annul  it, 
he  was  content  that  it  should  be  done.  The  contract  was  ac- 
cordingly canceled. 

Self-reliant  and  self-contained,  looking  to  none  for  advice  or 
assistance — rarely  offering  advice  unasked,  whilst  freely  giving 
his  assistance  to  all  in  need  of  it,  preferring  to  listen  rather 
than  to  talk,  although  often  more  instructed  in  the  subject  dis- 
cussed than  those  who  spoke  the  most,  he  doubtless  passed  un- 
marked by  those  who  did  not  know  him  well,  and  he  was  con- 
tent that  it  should  be  so.  Modest  and  unassuming,  he  did  not 
seek  nor  care  for  public  consideration.  His  aim  was  to  do  his 
duty  for  that  duty's  sake.  This  was  his  character,  and  the 
foundation  of  this  character  was  his  military  education  at  West 
Point.  There  were  immovably  rooted  in  his  being  those  prin- 
ciples of  unalterable  devotio'n  to  duty  and  high  honor  which 
are  characteristic  of  the  complete  modern  soldier — still  "  jealous 
in  honor"  in  its  highest  sense,  though  happily  no  longer 
"  sudden  and  quick  in  quarrel."  And  these  were  the  principles 
which  actuated  his  conduct  throughout  his  life,  as  well  in  the 
every-day  affairs  of  money-seeking  business,  as  when  he  sat  a 
judge  upon  the  bench,  and  in  the  other  higher  walks  of 
his  life. 


TOWN   OF  PHILIPSTOWlSr.  623 

Col.  Thomas  Boyle  Aeden,  second  son  of  Richard  D.  Arden 
and  Jane  De  Peyster,  was  born  in  New  York  city,  May  27tli, 
1813.  His  early  education  was  gained  from  private  tutors  and 
subsequently  at  the  school  of  Rev.  William  Powell,  "Union 
Hill,"  near  West  Farms. 

Receiving  an  appointment  to  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy  at 
West  Point,  he  entered  that  institution,  July  1st,  1830,  and 
graduated  with  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  July  1st,  1835. 
Joining  the  7th  Regiment,  U.  S.  Infantry,  he  was  stationed  at 
Port  Gibson,  Indian  Territory,  and  at  various  frontier  posts. 
Returning  as  aid-de-camp  to  General  Arbuckle,  he  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  instructor  in  the  U.  S.  Military  Academy, 
from  1837  to  September,  1841.  He  was  afterward  promoted  to 
a  first  lieii tenant  and  served  in  the  Florida  War,  and  in  garri- 
son at  New  Orleans  Barracks.  In  December,  1842,  he  resigned 
his  position  in  the  army,  and  retired  to  his  estate,  "  Ardenia," 
in  Philipstown,  and  which  included  the  old  homestead  of  Col. 
Beverly  Robinson,  and  known  as  "  Beverly  Farm." 

Since  then  Colonel  Arden  has  pursued  the  quiet  life  of  an 
agriculturalist;  a  business  in  which  he  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest.  From  1851  to  1853  he  was  president  of  the 
Putnam  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  took  a  lively  and 
active  interest  in  its  welfare. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  he  served  as  aid-decamp 
to  General  Sandford,  in  the  defense  of  Washington,  and  after- 
ward as  aid  to  General  Morgan,  with  rank  of  colonel,  and  was 
military  agent  of  the  New  York  troops  in  the  field  from  1861 
to  1863. 

Colonel  Arden  is  well  known  as  a  liberal  promoter  of  all 
religious  and  educational  institutions,  and  no  act  of  his  life  has 
been  unworthy  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman. 

Heistky  W.  Belcher. — Among  the  prominent  citizens  of 
Philipstown,  few  are  better  known  than  Henry  W.  Belcher, 
who  was  born  at  Sawpits  (now  Portohester),  July  8th,  1820. 
His  father.  Doctor  Elisha  R.  Belcher,  was  a  prominent  physi- 
cian of  New  York  city,  and  his  grandfather  was  a  surgeon  in 
the  army  of  the  Revolution,  and  a  descendant  of  Gregory 
Belcher,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Essex  county,  Eng- 
land, in  1834,  and  settled  in  Braintree,  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  Belcher's  early  days  were  passed  in  his  native  place,  and 


624  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY.  , 

in  1827  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  New  York  city.  Soon 
after  becoming  of  age,  he  entered  extensively  into  the  wholesale 
grocery  business,  and  continued  in  it  with  success  till  he  retired 
in  1858. 

In  1843,  Mr.  Belcher  married  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  Hon. 
John  Garrison,  of  Grarrison's,  N.  Y.,  and  a  few  yeai's  afterward 
purchased  the  old  homestead  of  Henry  Garrison,  from  the  exec- 
utors of  the  estate.  Mrs.  Belcher  died  in  1855,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  Mr.  Belcher  was  again  married  to  Eliza  K.,  daugh- 
ter of  Hon.  William  King,  of  Malone,  N.  Y. 

By  his  first  marriage,  he  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are 
now  Jiving  and  are  residents  of  Topeka,  Kan.,  viz.:  James  H. 
Belcher,  and  Anna  L.,  wife  of  James  Moore.  By  the  second 
marriage  he  has  two  children,  Mary  E.  and  Henry  E. 

In  1854,  Mr.  Belcher,  in  company  with  Hon.  John  Garrison 
and  others,  established  a  steam  ferry  between  Garrison's  and 
West  Point.  This  feri-y  was  first  established  by  Harry  Garri- 
son, under  a  special  Act  of  Legislature,  and  it  was  operated 
by  row  boats  and  scows,  till  the  date  mentioned  above,  when 
Mr.  Belcher  and  his  associates  obtained  a  new  charter  under  the 
general  law. 

During  his  connections  with  business  affairs  in  New  York, 
Mr.  Belcher  was  a  director  and  vice-president  of  the  Chatham 
National  Bank,  also  vice-president  of  the  Relief  Fire  Insurance 
Company.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  latter  company, 
in  1865,  and  assisted  in  closing  its  affairs,  in  1885.  He  was  a 
director  in  several  insurance  companies  and  other  corporations, 
and  from  1877  to  1885  he  held  at  different  times  the  position  of 
assistant  auditor  and  auditor  in  the  New  York  Custom  House. 

From  early  manhood  Mr.  Belcher  has  been  connected  with 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  for  several  years  one 
of  the  vestry  of  the  Church  of  the  Epiphany,  in  New  York. 
He  has  been  connected,  officially,  with  St.  Philips  Church,  in 
the  Highlands,  since  1850,  during  which  time  his  efforts  to  ad- 
vance its  welfare  have  been  unceasing. 

Taking  an  active  interest  in  educational  matters,  Mr.  Belcher 
became  a  trustee  of  the  school  at  Garrison's  in  1858,  and  has 
continued  such  to  this  date.  He  has  always  closely  identified 
himself  with  every  movement  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his 
locality. 


Enj'ly  SB  Salts  Sons,  Mtr  IBtK 


TOWN    OF  PHILIP8T0WN.  625 

Osmond  M.  Baxter.— From  an  entry  in  an  old  Bible,  we 
learn  that  Thomas  Baxter  came  from  England  at  the  close  of  the 
17th  century.  His  son,  Thomas,  jr.,  was  born  about  1700,  and 
he  in  tnrn  had  a  son,  Thomas,  born  about  1735,  and  who  lived 
at  Throggs  Neck,  on  Long  Island  Sound.  He  married  Phebe, 
daughter  of  Abraham  Mabie,  and  their  son,  Thaddeus  Baxter, 
who  was  born  July  7th,  1771,  removed  to  Putnam  county  and 
settled  in  Carmel.  He  married  Hannah  Cole,  daughter  of  Elisha 
Cole,  2d,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Jeddediah 
P.,  who  died  in  Nelsonville  a  few  years  since;  Elisha,  who  was 
for  many  years  a  merchant  in  that  village;  Beulah  (Bunnell) 
who  moved  west  many  years  ago;  Sarah  (Nelson)  who  lived  and 
died  at  Nelsonville;  Thomas,  who  died  in  Westchester  about 
two  years  since;  Orrin,  who  moved  to  Florida  and  died  in  that 
State;  and  Osmond  M.,  the  subject  of  this  article. 

Osmond  M.  Baxter  was  born  May  27th,  1813,  in  the  town  of 
Carmel.  His  father  was  well  known  as  a  teacher  in  many  of  the 
villages  of  this  county  and  removing  to  Cold  Spring,  he,  with 
the  aid  of  his  sons,  who  were  several  of  them  expert  carpenters, 
built  the  house  on  the  Carmel  road,  lately  owned  by  James 
Smith.  Upon  arriving  at  a  suitable  age,  Osmond  was  appren- 
ticed to  the  West  Point  Foundry,  and  learned  the  trade  of  pat- 
tern maker.  He  served  his  full  time  and  became  a  skillful 
workman,  and  was  soon  promoted  to  be  superintendent  of  the 
department  in  which  he  worked,  and  remained  in  that  position 
till  1853.  During  the  time  in  which  he  was  connected  with  this 
establishment,  some  of  its  largest  contracts  were  executed. 
Among  them  were  the  Croton  water  pipes  and  the  engines  of 
the  United  States  Steamer  "Missouri."  About  1853,  Mr. 
Baxter  left  the  foundry  and  purchased  the  lumber  and  coal 
business  of  John  Simonson,  which  business  he  conducted  with 
ability  and  success  till  the  time  of  his  death,  and  it  is  still  con- 
tinued by  his  son,  Charles  Judson. 

Mr.  Baxter  was  also  prominently  connected  with  public 
affairs  and  was  supervisor  of  Philipstown  in  1866,  and  has  been 
president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Cold  Spring.  His  family 
residence  was  on  Banks  street,  which  house  he  built,  and  which 
now  belongs  to  the  estate  of  the  late  Peter  King.  He  after- 
ward built  on  Main  street  the  commodious  residence  which  was 
his  home  during  the  remainddi"  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Baxter  was  a  member  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  Ba  p- 

39 


626  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

tist  Church  of  Cold  Spring  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  was 
trustee  of  the  society  and  deacon  of  the  church.  The  follow- 
ing selection  is  from  an  obituary  notice,  written  by  one  who 
knew  him  well. 

"We  always  found  him  ready  to  assist  every  worthy  man, 
and  to  further  every  worthy  object.  We  have  sat  with  him  in 
church,  in  the  Masonic  Lodge;  at  his  fireside  with  his  family, 
at  his  desk  in  his  office;  and  we  cannot  forbear  to  extend,  at 
this  sad  time,  the  tribute  of  respect  and  love  which  we  owe  to 
his  character  and  his  kindness. 

"  Not  only  as  an  individual,  but  as  a  citizen  do  we  consider 
it  incumbent  upon  us  to  bear  testimony  to  the  worth  of  our  de- 
parted friend.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  village  from  its 
infancy,  himself  prospering  with  its  growth  until  he  was  able 
to  assist  its  greatest  industries  at  moments  when  such  aid  was 
almost  indispensable.  The  community  sustains  a  loss,  as  well 
as  the  family;  and  with  the  relatives  we  mourn  the  removal  of 
a  pillar  in  the  church,  a  responsible  man  of  business,  and  a 
representative  of  the  olden  time  which  '  tried  men's  souls.'  " 

In  1837,  Mr.' Baxter  received  a  commission  as  captain  in  the 
State  Militia,  from  Gov.  William  S.  Marcy.  In  1883,  he  was 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  West  Point  Foundry  and  was  for 
many  years  a  prominent  officer  of  the  Masonic  Order. 

He  married  Miss  Sarah  A.  Merrick,  whose  death  occurred  in 
1852.  Subsequently  he  married  Mrs.  Jane  Armstrong,  who  died 
in  1881.  His  surviving  children  are  three  sons:  Charles  Jud- 
son,  Edward,  and  Henry  C,  all  of  whom  are  residents  of  Cold 
Spring. 

After  a  life  of  usefialness  and  honor,  during  which  he  merited 
and  received  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
Mr.  Baxter  died  December  29th,  1885,  in  the  73d  year  of  his 
age. 

Hon.  Geoege  McCabe. — Among  the  business  men  of  the 
county,  there  are  few  who  are  better  known  or  more  deservedly 
popular  than  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Matthew  McCabe,  the  ancestor  of  the  family,  came  from  the 
northern  part  of  Ireland  and  was  an  early  settler  in  Putnam 
Valley.  He  left  two  sons,  Benjamin  and  States.  The  latter  re- 
moved to  Steuben  county,  and  the  former  purchased  a  farm  on 
Oscawana  Lake  where  he  lived  and  died,  leaving  a  family  of 
ten  children:  Rhoda,  wife  of  Elam  Garrett;  Stephen,  Reuben, 


/7yyj^fhu<(^ 


TOWN   OF   PHILIPSTOWN.  627 

Daniel,  John,  James,  Susan,  wife  of  Aaron  Christian;  Fannie, 
wife  of  Wright  Wixon;  Lewis  and  William.  Benjamin  McCabe 
was  one  of  the  captains  of  the  State  Militia  in  1798,  in  the 
county  of  Dutchess,  and  received  his  commission  from  John 
Jay,  the  governor  of  New  York.  Of  his  children,  James  Mc- 
Cabe married  Mary,  daughter  of  Justus  Nelson,  a  representative 
of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  coUnty.  His  homestead  was 
situated  near  Nelson's  Mills,  on  the  Highland  Turnpike,  and  is 
now  in  possession  of  his  sons,  Justus  and  John  McCabe.  James 
McCabe  was  well  known  during  his  life  as  a  thorough  and  skill- 
ful practical  farmer.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children:  Justus, 
Cornelius,  who  removed  to  Minnesota;  John,  Mary  H.,  George, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Benjamin  and  Cyrus.  Of  this  fam- 
ily, two  sons,  Justus  and  John,  are  living  with  their  sister  on 
the  old  homestead. 

Q-eorge  McCabe  was  born  in  Philipstown,  July  6th,  1838. 
His  early  life  was  passed  on  the  farm  and  his  education  was 
received  at  public  and  private  schools  in  his  native  town.  On 
arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  entered  business  life  as  a 
clerk  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  William  H.  Wells,  who  was  one  of 
the  most  successful  merchants  in  the  village  of  Cold  Spring. 
In  this  position  he  remained  till  1866,  when  Mr.  Wells  removed 
to  Wisconsin,  and  Mr.  McCabe  purchased  the  store  and  suc- 
ceeded to  the  business  in  which  he  has  continued  till  the  present 
time  with  well  merited  success. 

The  reputation  which  Mr.  McCabe  had  gained  as  a  man  of 
business,  led  his  fellow  citizens  to  select  him  as  a  candidate  for 
official  honors,  and  in  1870,  he  was  elected  supervisor  of  Philips- 
town  and  held  the  same  position  in  1871-77-78-80.  In  1880,  he 
received  the  republican  nomination  for  member  of  Assembly, 
and  was  elected  by  an  unprecedented  majority.  His  duties  as 
a  Legislator  were  discharged  with  credit  to  himself  and  his  con- 
stituents. Mr.  McCabe  was  a  member  of  the  State  convention 
of  1880,  and  was  among  the  strongest  supporters  of  Hon.  James 
Q.  Blaine  of  whom  he  is  an  ardent  admirer. 

In  all  the  affairs  of  business  and  as  a  private  citizen,  the  in- 
tegrity and  honor  which  have  characterized  his  dealings  are  well 
known  and  fully  recognized.  In  political  life  he  is  fearless  in 
the  expressions  of  his  sentiments,  leaving  no  doubt  as  to  his 
position  or  opinion  upon  the  leading  questions  of  the  day, 
while  his  popularity  is  fully  shown  by  the  majorities  he  has  won 


628  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

in  the  various  elections.  As  a  member  and  supporter  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  is  well  known  in  the  religious 
community. 

In  few  words,  Mr.  McCabe  may  be  considered  as  a  type  of 
the  self  made  man  whose  success  is  due  to  earnest  energy,  sup- 
ported by  honest  principles.* 

He  married  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Dennis  Bates,  October 
18th,  1871.     They  have  two  children,  Lewis  B.  and  Lilian  C. 


/■■>cj^ 


V'itj  AKJttiaiit. 


Tn.'S^/^^ 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


TOWN  OF  PATTERSON. 


Incorporation. — Early  Records.— Settlement. — Paterson  Family. — Roads.— Early 
Inhabitants  and  their  residences. — Civil  List. — Change  of  Name. — Schools. — 
Franklin  Union  Library.— Pendergrast's  Rebellion.— Presbyterian  Church.— 
Baptist  Church.- Christ  Church.— Quaker  Meeting  House.— Roman  Catholic 
Church,  Towner's  Station.— Methodist  Chapel,  Haviland  Hollow.— Revo- 
lutionary Items.— North  Line  of  Lot  7.— Sylvester  Mabie. 


THE  town  of  Patterson  includes  the  north  half  of  Lot  No.  8 
of  Philipse  Patent,  the  greater  part  of  Lot  No.  7,  and  that 
portion  of  the  Oblong  which  is  in  this  county,  and  lies  north  of 
the  north  line  of  the  town  of  Southeast.  This  town,  which  was 
originally  a  part  of  the  Fredericksburg  Precinct,  and  afterward 
of  Fredericks  town,  was  reduced  to  its  present  dimensions  and 
established  as  the  town  of  Franklin  by  an  Act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture passed  March  17th,  1795.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held 
at  the  house  of  James  Phillips,  and  the  following  is  a  record  of 
the  proceedings : 

"  At  a  town  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of 
Franklin  Town,  held  at  the  house  of  James  Phillips,  on  Tues- 
day, 7th  day  of  April,  1795.  Voted,  Samuel  Cornwall,  Town 
Clerk;  Samuel  Towner,  Supervisor;  Benjamin  Haviland,  Nehe- 
miah  Jones,  Stephen  Hayt,  Assessors;  David  Hecock,  Sen., 
Jabez  Blwell,  Overseers  of  Poor;  Solomon  Crane,  Elisha  Brown, 
Abner  Crosby,  Commissioners  of  Highways;  Abel  Hodge,  Col- 
lector and  Constable;  David  Barnum,  Constable. 

"Path  Masters:  George  Burtch,  Esq.,  Benjamin  Lane,  James 
Birdsall,  Jabez  Elwell,  Daniel  Haines,  John  McLean,  Joseph 
Eogers,  Stephen  Yale,  Abel  Hodge,  Isaac  Crosby,  Blackleaoh 
Jessup,  Elisha  Brown,  Samuel  Colwell,  Abraham  Mabie,  Sen., 
Solomon  Fowler,  Abner  Crosby,  Jacob  Reed,  Elisha  Gififord. 

"Fence  Viewers:  Jabez  Elwell,  Jr.,  John  Tweedy,  Zachariah 


630  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Hinman,  Thomas  Birdsall,  Abijah  Starr,  Elijah  Stone,  Roswell 
Wilcox,  David  Hecock,  Peter  Terry,  Enos  Ambler,  Simeon 
Perry,  Nathaniel  Foster. 

"Pound  Masters  :  John  Tweedy,  Silas  Bartch,  Roswell  Wil- 
cox, Amos  Rogers. 

"  Voted  that  every  Ram  shall  be  confined  from  the  20th  of 
August  to  the  first  day  of  November,  under  forfeiture  of  the 
Ram. 

"Voted  that  the  next  town  meeting  shall  be  held  at  the 
Presbyterian  meeting  house. 

"Voted  that  the  sum  of  sixty  pounds  be  raised  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  poor  of  the  town." 

"At  a  special  town  meeting  held  at  the  Presbyterian  meeting* 
house,  on  the  23d  of  April,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  a  dele- 
gate to  meet  the  delegates  chosen  by  the  different  towns  of 
Southeast.  Carmel  and  Fredericks,  to  establish  the  division  line 
between  the  above  towns.  Voted  that  Alexander  Kidd  be 
Moderator.  James  Philips,  Clerk  P.  T.  Samuel  Towner,  dele- 
gate, with  powers  to  establish  the  line  above  mentioned  agree- 
able to  Law." 

Following  the  above  is  the  annexed  certificate: 

"This  certifies  that  a  certain  Female  slave  belonging  to 
Roswell  Wilcox  of  the  Town  of  Franklin,  named  Dinah,  ap- 
pears to  be  under  the  age  of  fifty,  and  of  sufficient  ability  to 
provide  for  herself.  Given  under  our  hands,  this  28th  day  of 
March,  1796. 

"Matthew  Paterson,  Jabez  Elwell, 

"Samuel  Augustus  Baker,  David  Hecock, 

"  Justices  of  the  Peace.  Overseers  of  Poor." 

For  many  years  resolutions  like  the  following  were  regularly 
voted  at  the  town  meetings. 

"Voted  that  every  hog  that  runs  in  the  road,  shall  be  ringed 
with  a  good  sufficient  ring  under  the  penalty  of  one  shilling  t(p 
be  paid  to  the  person  who  takes  him  up  and  returns  him  to  the 
owner,  with  a  good  ring  in  his  nose." 

It  might  be  doubtful  if  many  persons  would  care  to  earn  a 
shilling  in  this  manner  at  the  present  day,  and,  fortunately, 
the  practice  of  allowing  swine  to  run  at  large  is  no  longer 
in  vogue. 

"  We,  the  subscribers  promise  to  pay  to  Maj.  Jonathan  Crane, 
the  sums  annext  to  each  of  our  names  for  the  Consideration  of 


TOWN   OP   PATTKRSON.  631 

his  Presenting  a  Petition  to  the  Assembly,  for  the  Division  of 
the  towns  of  Fredericks  town  and  Southeast.  Witness  our 
hands,  this  4th  day  of  February,  1795:  Wm.  Lovelace,  2  shil- 
lings; Samuel  Robins,  2s.;  Joseph  Tillit,  Is.  6d. ;  Josiah  Rusco, 
2s. ;  Jeremiah  Mead,  4s. ;  Isaac  Seeley,  4s. ;  John  Daun,  Is. ;  Sam- 
uel Hayt,  2s.;  Timothy  Delavan,  Is.;  Solomon  Field,  Is.  6d. ; 
Jedediah  Wood',  2s. ;  Benjamin  Ellis,  3s. ;  Josiah  Foster  Ellis,  2s. ; 
Moses  Fowler,  4s.  5d. ;  Samuel  Pardee,  1  s.  6d. ;  Major  Fowler, 
Is.;  Matthew  Beale,  2s.;  Samuel  Townse'nd,  2s.;  Samuel  Howes, 
2s.;  Solomon  Byington,  Is.;  John  Jane,  2s.;  John  Byington,  3s.; 
James  Neal,  Is. ;  Abraham  Delavan,  3s. ;  J.  D.  Delavan,  3s. ;  John 
Byington,  2s. ;  James  Bloomer,  2s. ;  Samuel  Ackerly,  Is. ;  John 
Howes,  Is.;  Peleg  Baily,  Is.  4d.;  Elijah  Townsend,  2s.;  Nehe- 
raiah  Wood,  Is.;  Caleb  Fowler,  Is.  6d. ;  Heman  King,  Is.  6d.; 
Benoni  Stokeins,  Is.  6d. ;  Joseph  Stokeins,  2s." 

"  At  a  special  town  meeting  held  at  the  Presbyterian  meeting 
house,  on  Thursday  the  26th  day  of  January,  1798.  Voted  that 
Dutchess  County  remain  in  its  present  situation  withoat  any 
Division,  Unanimous. 

"Voted  that  the  Town  Clerk  send  the  proceedings  of  this 
meeting  to  Samuel  Towner  to  lay  before  the  Legislature  when 
most  convenient.'" 

At  another  special  town  meeting  held  January  28th,  1799,  it 
was  ''Voted  unanimously  that  Dutchess  County  remain  in  its 
present  situation  without  any  division.  Voted  that  Elijah  Stone 
carry  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  and  deliver  the  same  to 
Wm.  Pearce  Esq.  and  the  other  member  from  Dutchess." 

Some  years  afterward,  the  town  voted  in  favor  of  the  division 
and  any  who  were  opposed  quietly  accepted  the  situation.  At  the 
time  when  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature  for  divid- 
ing the  towns  of  Frederick  and  Southeast,  a  vigorous  protest 
was  entered  by  Matthew  Paterson,  Alexander  Kidd,  David 
Beebee,  Samuel  Townsend,  David  Hecock,  Roswell  Wilcox, 
Nemiah  Jones,  John  Townsend,  Samuel  Cornwall,  Andrew 
Eraser,  John  Palmer,  and  Samuel  Towner  denouncing  the  pro- 
ceedings as  a  "  Clandestine  Act." 

It  is  probable  that  the  iirst  settlement  in  this  town  was  on  the 
Oblong.  The  oldest  deed  which  we  have  found,  for  land  within 
the  limits  of  Putnam  county,  is  a  venerablg  document,  now  in 
possession  of  Mr.  David  Wing,  on  Quaker  Hill,  in  the  town  of 
Pawling.     This  deed  recites  that  of   the   tract   on   the   Oblong 


632  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

granted  to  Thomas  Hawley  and  his  partners,  44,250  acres  were 
released  to  Adam  Ireland,  Jolin  Thomas  and  Benjamin  Birdsall, 
June  15th,  1731,  and  that  the  deed  is  recorded  in  the  clerk's 
office  of  Dutchess  county,  in  Liber  N.,  page  302.  The  parties 
named  above  conveyed  by  this  deed  to  Jacob  Haviland,  jr..  Lots 
16  and  23,  June  16th,  1731. 

Lot  16  is  thus  described:  "  Beginning  at  the  Northeast  corner 
of  Lot  13  and  from  thence  runs  along  the  east  bounds  of  Lots 
14  and  15,  145  chains.  Thence  South  77  degrees  30  minutes 
East,  43  chains  2  rods.  Thence  South  19  degrees  West  144 
chains  2  rods.  Thence  North  77  degrees  30  minutes  West,  30 
chains  to  the  beginning,  containing  500  acres." 

Lot  23  is  described  as  "Beginning  in  the  Western  bounds  of 
the  Oblong,  at  a  place  which  is  2  chains  and  2  rods  south  from 
the  18  mile  monument,  and  thence  runs  S.  12  degrees  30  min- 
utes W.  72^  chains.  Thence  S.  77  degrees  30  minutes  West  72^ 
chains.  Thence  North  12  degrees  30  minutes  East  72^  chains. 
Thence  North  72  degrees  30  minutes  West  724-  chains  to  begin- 
ning containing  500  jacres." 

Lot  23  is  in  the  town  of  Pawling,  and  lies  to  the  east  of  the 
farm  and  homestead  of  Isaac  Aikin,  and  a  large  part  of  it  is 
now  owned  by  David  Wing.  The  northeast  corner  of  the 
Philipse  Patent  is  near  the  south  line. 

Lot  16  runs  across,  and  includes,  a  large  portion  of  the  val- 
ley which  forms  so  important  a  part  of  the  geography  of  the 
town,  and  has  borne  from  the  earliest  days  the  name  of  "  Hav- 
iland Hollow."  It  is  on  this  tract  that  the  descendants  of 
Jacob  Haviland  have  lived  down  to  the  present.  Benjamin  Hav- 
iland, who  was  probably  a  son  of  Jacob,  settled  here.  The 
north  line  of  this  tract  is  the  present  north  line  of  the  farm  of 
Thomas  State,  while  its  south  boundary  is  on  the  farm  of  Wil- 
liam C.  Haviland,  south  of  the  Quaker  meeting  house.  Ben- 
jamin Haviland  had  brothers,  Thomas,  Solomon,  Daniel, 
Isaac  and  Roger,  and  a  sister  Sophia,  who  married  Jesse  Lane. 
The  sons  of  Benjamin  Haviland  (Elijah,  Benjamin,  David,  John 
and  Samuel)  settled  around  him,  on  the  ancestral  heritage. 
Elijah  Haviland  lived  on  what  is  now  the  farm  of  Thomas  State, 
and  the  old  house  yet  stands,  a  relic  of  earlj'^  days.  Benja- 
min was  born  September  9th,  1763,  and  lived  where  Benjamin 
Haviland,  his  nephew,  now  resides.  He  removed  to  Athens, 
Greene  county,  N.  Y.,  where  his  descendants   are  numerous. 


TOWN   OF  PATTERSON.  633 

David,  another  son,  lived  on  the  sonth  side  of  the  road,  a  little 
west  of  Benjamin.  John  had  the  old  homestead  of  his  father, 
which  was  where  Mr.  Stephen  Whitehead  now  lives.  Just  east 
of  the  school  house.  Samuel  bought  the  farm  and  house  of  his 
brother,  Benjamin,  when  the  latter  removed  to  Athens,  and  his 
son,  Benjamin,  who  is  now  the  oldest  representative  of  the 
family,  inhabits  his  father's  home. 

Of  the  brothers  of  the  first  Benjamin  Haviland,  Daniel  lived 
south  of  the  Quaker  meeting  house  (for  which  he  gave  the 
land),  while  Roger  lived  in  Connecticut,  near  the  State  line, 
Solomon  lived  in  Harrison,  and  Isaac  lived  on  the  bank  of  the 
Croton  River,  in  the  town  of  Pawling.  For  want  of  any  contra- 
dictory, evidence  we  conclude  that  the  Havilands  were  the  first 
settlers  in  the  town.  The  settlers  on  Lot  7  of  Philipse  Patent, 
were  of  course  tenants  under  Beverly  Robinson.  Who  the  first 
settlers  were  on  this  tract  is  not  known.  The  following  brief 
list  of  tenants  was  found  among  the  Philipse  papers,  and  doubt- 
less was  made  about  1760: 

"A  List  of  tenants  on  Mr.  Robinson's  Lot  No.  7:  Samuel 
Terry,  5i  acres;  B.  Gifford,  14^;  Judah  Smith  &  others,  319i; 
Jonathan  Hungerford,  195;  Peter  Eastman,  177;  Jno.  Covey, 
112;  Noah  Lee,  139;  Isaac  Utter,  200;  Samuel  Hallock,  119; 
Fred.  Baker,  97^." 

Thomas  Lee  had  a  lease  of  120  acres  on  the  west  side  of  Cro- 
ton swamp  in  1752. 

For  a  long  time  there  were  disputes  as  to  the  true  ownership 
of  the  lands  bordering  on  the  Oblong,  and  farms  were  taken  up 
and  improved  by  persons  whose  titles  (on  paper  at  least)  dated 
back  prior  to  the  establishment  of  the  Oblong  line. 

It  seems  that  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  at  their 
session  in  New  Haven  in  October,  1707,  granted  to  Capt.  Na- 
than Gold  and  others,  certain  lands  which  lay  to  the  west  of  the 
Oblong,  and  these  lands  were  claimed,  in  1765,  by  William 
Willet  of  Flushing,  L.  I.;  Jonathan  Brown,  of  Westchester; 
Joseph  Sackett,  Jamaica,  L.  T. ;  William  Hooker  Smith,  of 
White  Plains,  "  surgeon;"  Matthias  Marsh,  of  Dutchess  county, 
and  John  Thomas,  of  Westchester;  and  they  were  also  claimed 
by  Philip  Philipse,  Roger  Morris  and  Beverly  Robinson,  by 
virtue  of  the  patent  to  Adolph  Philipse,  and  also  by  virtue  of 
the  patent  for  the  two  tracts  next  to  the  Oblong,  granted  to 
them,  March  27th,  1761.     This  tract  in  dispute  was  divided  into 


634  HISTORY   O'B'  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

farms,  which  were  in  possession  of  William  Gray,  Isaac  Chap- 
man, Sylvanus  Cole,  Josiah  Robbitts,  Samuel  Munroe,  Noah 
Smith,  David  Aikins  and  Christopher  Dickenson,  who  held  un- 
der the  parties,  holding  the  grant  from  Connecticut,  and  there 
were  other  farms,  in  possession  of  Thomas  Maggott,  Nathaniel 
Porter,  Josiah  Swift,  William  Palmer  and  Nathan  Taylor,  who 
held  under  the  Philipse  title.  In  order  to  settle  the  matter  all 
the  parties  united  in  giving  a  deed  in  trust  to  William  Alex- 
ander, Earl  of  Stirling.  John  Watts,  Oliver  De  Lancey,  Walter 
Rutherford,  and  Henry  Cruger  for  the  premises  in  dispute,  and 
they  were  to  convey  to  the  parties  they  should  adjudge  to  be 
the  true  owners  of  the  same,  all  the  lands  in  dispute.  This  deed 
was  duly  executed  May  25th,  1765,  amd  the  said  William,  Earl 
of  Stirling,  and  the  rest,  having  considered  the  matter,  ad- 
judged that  the  true  title  was  in  Philip  Philipse,  Beverly  Rob- 
inson and  Roger  Morris,  and  accordingly,  by  a  deed  of  award 
(which  is  endorsed  upon  the  original  deed,  mentioned  above), 
they  conveyed  to  them  all  the  premises  in  question,  March  11th, 
1766. 

The  original  deeds  are  now  in  .possession  of  the  Philipse 
family,  at  Garrison's.  The  lands  lie  along  the  Oblong,  in  the 
northeast  part  of  the  patent  and  most  of  them  are  east  of  Cro- 
ton  River,  and  include  the  farm  lying  north  of  Cowl's  Corners, 
as  far  as  the  patent  line. 

Among  the  old  documents  which  are  remaining,  as  relics  of 
the  past,  is  a  lease,  written  and  signed  by  Beverly  Robinson,  the 
original  owner  in  the  right  of  his  wife,  Susannah  Philipse,  of 
all  the  north  part  of  the  present  town  of  Patterson.  This  lease, 
dated  December  30th,  1769,  granted  to  Dennis  Wright,  of 
Fredericksburg,  "  All  that  certain  farm  situate  in  Fredericks- 
burg, being  part  of  a  farm  described  in  a  map  and  Return  Book 
made  by  Jonathan  Hampton,  as  Farm  Number  8  of  Lot  No.  7, 
Beginning  at  a  white  oak  tree,  standing  on  the  Oblong  line,  and 
is  James  Calkins  southeast  corner.  From  thence  west  9  chains 
to  a  stake,  then  south  70  degrees  west,  11  chains  to  a  stake, 
then  north  14  degrees  east,  9  chains  to  a  stake,  thence  North 
28  degrees  East  4  chains,  then  North  37  degrees  East,  15  chains, 
then  North  7  degrees  30  minutes  East,  17  chains  to  a  stake  in 
Benjamin  Chase's  line,  then  along  Chase's  line  west  49  chains 
69  links  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Benjamin  Gilford's,  then 
along  Gilford's,  and  Alexander  Grant's  line  south  6  degrees  30 


TOWN   OF  PATTERSON.  635 

minntes  west,  34  chains  90  links,  then  south  24  degrees  30 
minutes  west  25  chains  49  links,  to  a  stake  which  is  a  corner  of 
David  Calkins,  then  south  68  degrees  East  33  chains  70  links  t» 
a  beech  sapling  standing  on  the  west  side  of  a  saw  mill  brook, 
and  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  then  running  along  David 
Calkins  and  Eeuben  Close's  line,  to  the  said  Close's  Corner,  in 
David  Aiken's  line,  then  east  along  said  Aikin's  line  to  the 
Oblong  line,  and  then  along  the  Oblong  line  to  the  beginnings 
Containing  426  acres." 

The  lease  reserved  all  mines  and  minerals,  and  all  mill  priv- 
ileges. The  term  of  the  lease  was  during  the  life  of  Dennis 
Wright,  who  was  at  the  time  68  years  old,  and  for  the  lives  of 
his  two  children,  Dennis,  Jr.,  aged  8  years,  and  Barsheba, 
aged  5.  The  annual  rent  was  to  be  "113  Spanish  milled  pieces 
of  eight,"  and  the  tenant  was  to  set  out  three  hundred  apple 
trees  "of  good  fruit."  This  place  appears  to  have  passed, 
after  the  Revolution,  into  the  possession  of  Asa  Haynes,  and 
was  generally  known  as  the  "  old  Asa  Haynes  place."  It  was- 
purchased  from  his  heirs  by  Murray  Aiken,  who  married  his 
daughter,  Lucy,  and  it  is  now  owned  by  his  descendants.  The 
original  north  boundary  is  now  the  south  line  of  the  farm  of 
Gilbert  Tabor  (whidh  is  generally  considered  the  county  line), 
and  whose  farm  was  the  "  land  of  James  Calkins  "  at  the  time 
of  the  lease.  The  old  homestead  of  the  Aiken  family  stands 
near  the  brook,  close  to  the  Oblong  line. 

"  General  List  of  all  Dwelling  Houses,  which  with  the  out 
houses  appurtenances  thereto  and  the  Lots  on  which  the  same  are 
erected  (not  exceeding  two  acres  in  any  case)  were  owned,  pos- 
sessed or  occupied  on  the  first  day  of  Oct.,  1798,  in  the  town  of 
Franklin,  Sixth  subdivision  being  within  the  first  assessment 
District,  in  the  fourth  Division,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  ex- 
ceeding in  value  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars: 

"Daniel  Aiken,  John  Ambler,  Enoch  Ambler,  Benj.  Bene- 
dict, John  Birdsall,  Phineas  Baker,  Avery  Baker,  Dr.  Richard 
S.  Bryan,  Elisha  Brown,  Stephen  Barnum,  Gideon  Baxter,  Wra. 
Burnes,  Jacob  Bustick,  Isaac  Beech,  Augur  Beech,  David  Bar- 
num, Joseph  Boughton,  James  Baker,  George  Bustick,  Lewis 
Burtin,  Thomas  Birdsall,  Silas  Burch,  Daniel  Burch,  James- 
Birdsall,  David  Burch,  Joel  W.  Church,  Reuben  Crosby,  Abner 
Crosby,  Eli  Crosby,  Moses  Crosby,  James  Crosby  Isaac  Crosby, 
Edward  Crosby,  Benj.  Cowl,  Aaron  Coe,  Thomas  Crosby,  Samuel 


636  HISTORY   OF  PtXTNAM   COUNTY. 

Colwell,  Solomon  Crane,  Stephen  Crosby,  Samuel  Cornwall, 
Alexander  Douglass,  John  Douglass,  Elijah  Dean,  Reuben 
Dean,  Nathaniel  Delavan,  Jabez  Elwell,  Abner  Elwell,  Jabez 
El  well,  Jr.,  Elijah  Pairchild,  Charity  Foster,  Edmond  Foster, 
Lydia  Foster,  Jonathan  Fowler,  Andrew  Frasier,  John  Fowler, 
Jane  Fisher,  Samuel  Aikins,  Darius  Aikins,  Nathaniel  Baker, 
Jacob  Burch,  James  Burton,  Silas  Burton,  Michael  Bowsems, 
John  Bradshaw,  Azariah  Bolt,  Joel  Ohurch,  Peter  Delavan, 
Daniel  Flynn,  James  Fairchild,  ElishaGifford,  Wm.  McGilland, 
Abraham  Hill,  Asabel  Hamilton,  Josiah  Hinckley,  James  Hays, 
Jr.,  Nehemiah  Jones,  Sarah  Jones  Elizabeth  Jones,  Eli  Jones, 
Simon  Jennings,  Benj.  Isaias,  Wm.  Merritt,  John  Mulinix, 
Edward  Mooney,  James  Grant,  Thomas  Hinckley,  Samuel  Hic- 
kock,  David  Hill,  David  Hickock,  Asa  Hanes,  John  Hinckley, 
Zebulon  Homan,  Abel  Hodges,  Stephen  Hurlburt,  Stephen 
Hayt,  John  Hayt,  Samuel  Hayt,  David  Haviland,  Ferris  Hill, 
Gamaliel  Hickock,  David  Hickock,  Jr.,  Obadiah  Howland, 
Nath.  Haviland,  Benj.  Haviland,  Daniel  Haviland,  Daniel  Havi- 
land, Jr.,  Timothy  Haviland,  Thomas  Haviland,  Moses  Havi- 
land, Zach.  Hinman,  Peter  Hepburn,  Samuel  Haviland,  Jr., 
Birdsall  Haviland,  John  Hubbard,  James  Hartwell,  Benj. 
Isaacs,  Nehemiah  Jones,  Nathaniel  Jones,  Joseph  Jones, 
Blackleach  Jessup,  Ezra  Jennings,  James  Kellogg,  Enoch 
Lewis,  Elisha  Lewis,  Stephen  Lawrence,  Amos  Leech,  Amos 
Leech,  Jr.,  Jesse  Lane,  John  McLane,  Daniel  McLane,  Gilbert 
Merritt,  Violet  Morrison,  Higham  Mabee,  Martha  Newman, 
Seth  Nickerson,  Joshua  Newbery,  Edg.  I^ewbery,  Eli  Northrup, 
Isaac  Northrup,  Seth  Nickerson,  Jr.,  Joshua  Nickerson,  John 
Olmstead,  Benj.  Ogden,  Medad  Palmer,  Ebenezer  Palmer, 
Phillips,  James  Phillips,  Matthew  Paterson,  John  Pater- 
son,  Simeon  Perry,  Pat.  Stiles,  James  Parrott,  Nath.  Richards, 
Joseph  Rogers,  Joseph  Robertson,  Lewis  Robertson,  Amos 
Rogers,  Martin  Robertson,  John  Sunderland,  Jeheiel  Stephens, 
Abijah  Starr,  Elijah  Stone,  Uriah  Sills,  John  Stewart,  Darius 
Stone,  Mary  Sturgis,  Jonathan  Squires,  John  Tweedy,  Samuel 
Towner,  Peter  Terry,  Joseph  Truesdale,  Henry  Thomas, 
Ebenezer  Truesdale,  James  Wright,  Elizabeth  Watts,  Justice 
Weed,  David  Mooney,  John  Miller,  Abm.  Maybee,  Elijah  Moor- 
house,  Isachar  Nickerson,  Wm.  Palmer,  Nathan  Palmer, 
Ebenezer  Palmer,  Abner  Philips,  Stiles  Peet,  John  Robinson, 
Peter  Scot,   John  Stephens,   Wm.  Stow,   Darias  Stone,   John 


TOWN   OF   PATTERSON.  637 

Toger,    Gilbert  Turner,   Henry   Thomas,    Hezekiah    Wheeley, 
Jane  Watts,  Zebulon  Washburn,  Elijah  Wixon,  Stephen  Yale." 

A  few  years  before  the  Revolution,  a  number  of  Scotch  fami- 
lies settled  in  this  vicinity  and  the  names — Paterson,  Grant, 
McLean,  Fraser  and  others  frequently  appear,  but  the  greater 
portion  of  the  settlers  came  from  the  eastern  part  of  New  Eng- 
land, and  a  few  came  from  Westchester  county.  Fredericks- 
burg village  was  considered  a  place  of  some  importance  during 
the  Revolution,  though  there  were  but  few  houses  there.  Tte 
story  goes  that  several  persons  whom  the  war  had  driven  from 
New  York  came  to  this  place.  On  one  occasion  they  took  a 
fancy  to  elect  a  mayor  and  aldermen,  and  went  through  the 
ceremony  of  establishing  Fredericksburg  as  a  "City."  The 
name  seemed  to  "^a/te"  and  it  was  for  a  long  time  generally 
known  by  that  title,  and  is  even  now  occasionally  mentioned  as 
"the  City." 

Matthew  Paterson,  after  whom  the  town  was  named,  was  a 
native  of  Scotland,  and  came  to  this  country  about  1752.  He 
was  an  officer  in  the  French  war,  and  served  under  General 
Abercrombie.  After  the  war,  he  returned  to  New  York,  where 
he  engaged  extensively  in  business.  He  had  intimate  business 
connections  with  Beverly  Robinson,  and  this  was  probably  the 
reason  of  his  coming,  in  1770,  to  Fredericksburg,  where  he  held 
a  farm  for  some  years,  as  a  tenant.  It  is  supposed  that  it  was 
his  influence  which  induced  many  other  Scotch  families  to  settle 
here.  During  the  whole  of  his  life  in  this  town  he  was  one  of 
its  most  prominent  citizens;  and  was  for  many  years  justice  of 
the  peace.  During  the  Revolution  he  was  of  great  service  to  the 
government  in  many  ways,  though  he  took  no  active  part  in  the 
war.  From  1782  to  1789,  he  was  member  of  Assembly  for 
Dutchess  county.  After  a  long  life  of  usefulness,  Mr.  Paterson 
died  February  18th,  1817,  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age,  and  his 
,  remains  rest  in  the  village  burying  ground,  by  the  Presbyterian, 
church,  of  which  he  was  an  active  member.  Mr.  Paterson  mar- 
ried Sarah  Thorpe,  December  27th,  1761.  Their  children  were: 
John,  born  October  3d,  1763,  married  Sarah  Livingston;  Martha, 
born  February  28th,  1765,  married  Samuel  Cornwall;  James  B.,^ 
born  April  17th,  1767;  Jean  McLean,  born  January  22d,  1769, 
married  Harry  Livingston;  Susannah  Philipse,  born  November 
20th,  1770,  married  David  McLean;  Alexander  Kidd,  born 
March  18th,   1773;  Matthew,  born  November  18th,  1775,  died 


638  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

October  9th,  1799;  Peter  N.,  born  JSToveinber  5th,  1777,  died 
April  8th,  1778;  Margaret,  born  June  1st,  1779,  married  Stephen 
Mitchell. 

Of  these  children,  John  Paterson,  the  oldest  son,  was  a  prom- 
inent citizen,  holding  the  office  of  supervisor  for  many  years. 
He  was  sheriff  of  the  county  in  1820,  and  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature in  1804.  He  died  at  his  residence  in  the  town  of  Patter- 
son, November  2:3d,  1821,  in  the  58th  year  of  his  age.  His  child- 
ren removed  to  the  Western  States. 

Alexander  Kidd  Paterson  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Ebenezer  Palmer.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  was  passed  in 
bis  native  town,  but  in  his  old  age  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  his 
■children  resided,  and  died  there. 

James  Bard  Paterson  was  a  prominent  business  man  in  New 
York,  where  his  life  was  spent.  He  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Col.  Charles  Wright.  Tlieir  children  were:  Matthew  C,  Robert 
H.  L.,  James,  Alexander  H.,  and  Edward  S. 

The  Paterson  farm  and  homestead  is  one  of  the  few  which 
have  continued  in  the  possession  of  the  same  family  since  the 
Colonial  times.  It  was  originally  held  by  Matthew  Paterson,  as 
a  tenant  of  Beverly  Robinson.  After  the  Revolution,  when  the 
estate  of  Beverly  Robinson  was  confiscated,  the  commissioners 
of  forfeitures,  Samuel  Dodge  and  John  Hathorn,  sold  to  Mat- 
thew Patterson,  December  26th,  1781,  "All  that  certain  tract 
of  land  in  Fredericksburg  late  the  property  of  Beverly  Robin- 
son and  Susannah  his  wife,  and  now  in  possession  of  Matthew 
Paterson.  Beginning  at  a  black  ash  tree,  standing  on  the  bank 
of  Croton  river  being  the  Southeast  corner  of  the  farm.  From 
thence  running  South  85  degrees  west  36  chains  75  links,  to  a 
stake.  Thence  North  19  degrees  East  26  chains  13  links  to  a  stake. 
Thence  South  76  degrees  East  31  chains  2  links.  Thence  S.  2 
degrees  East  8  chains  17  links  thence  South  82  degrees  East  63 
chains  8  links  to  Croton  river,  and  thence  down  the  river  to  the 
place  of  beginning,  Containing  157  acres." 

The  homestead,  with  the  greater  part  of  the  farm,  is  now 
owned  by  the  children  of  Robert  H.  L.  Paterson,  who  are  the 
present  representatives  of  the  family  in  this  town. 

The  principal  roads  in  the  northern  portion  of  the  town  are  : 
first,  the  main  street  of  Patterson  village,  or  what  was  formerly 
known  as  the  "City  Street";  second,  the  highway  running 
south  from  the  east  end  of  this  street,  under  the  hills  which 


TOWN   OF   PATTEKSOK.  639 

form  the  eastern  bounds  of  the  valley;  third,  the  road  running 
southwesterly  from  the  west  end  of  the  street,  by  the  mill,  and 
which  is  the  main  road  to  Carmel.  The  mill  site  and  land  ad- 
joining are  probably  the  same  which  were  in  occupation  of 
Malcom  Morrison  at  the  time  of  the  Eevolution.  In  1777,  a 
committee,  appointed  by  the  Provincial  Convention,  reported 
that  "  as  a  very  considerable  lodgment  of  stores  in  the  quarter 
master's  department  is  formed  at  Morrison's  Mills  in  Freder- 
icksburg, to  and  from  which  there  will  be  much  carriage,  a 
proper  farm  in  its  vicinity,  for  supporting  the  cattle  that  may 
from  time  to  time  be  employed  will  be  absolutely  necessary, 
and  that  the'farm  lately  in  the  occupation  of  Beverly  Eobin- 
son,  Jr.,  will  be  very  convenient  for  that  purpose." 

They  further  suggested  that  the  commissioners  of  sequestra- 
tion be  directed  to  lease  the  farm  to  the  quartermaster  general 
for  that  purpose.  The  report  was  agreed  to  by  the  con- 
vention. The  stream  the  mill  stands  on  has  ever  been  known 
as  the  Mill  Brook,  and  runs  into  Muddy  Brook,  which  is  the 
outlet  of  Hinckley  Pond,  and  thence  into  Croton  River.  The 
mill,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century,  was  owned  by 
Stephen  Hayt.  On  the  corner,  opposite  the  mill,  on  the  road 
to  Carmel,  stood  a  block  house  during  the  Revolution.  East  of 
the  mill  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  is  a  house  now  owned 
by  Mrs.  David  Kent.  This  was  in  the  early  part  of  this  century 
the  residence  of  Epenetus  Crosby,  who  kept  an  inn,  and  the 
swinging  sign,  with  its  legend,  "Accommodation  for  Man  and 
Beast,"  was  a  welcome  sight  to  the  weary  traveller.  On  the 
south  side  of  the  road,  and  next  to  the  Mill  Brook,  was  a  piece 
of  land  owned  by  Peter  Carley,  and  bought  by  him  from  the 
commissioners  of  forfeitures.  This  piece  he  sold  to  John  Hayt, 
the  ancestor  of  the  family  of  that  name,  who  came  to  this  town 
in  1785,  and  bought  this  piece  on  the  8th  of  May,  and  set  up  a 
tannery  by  the  side  of  the  brook. 

On  the  corner  ol  the  road  was  a  store,  kept  in  1793  by  Joseph 
and  James  Rogers,  and  east  of  this  was  a  farm,  part  of  which 
was  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  which  was  owned  in  1785 
by  Humphry  Ogden,  and  sold  by  him  to  John  Townsend  in 
1787.  This  farm  was  sold  by  Thomas  Townsend  to  John  Hayt 
April  29th,  1793.  It  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  farm  of 
Matthew  Paterson,  and  extended  east  "to  the  land  of  the 
Presbyterian  Society."     The  house  stood  on  the  part  north  of 


640  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

.  the  road,  and  is  now  the  home  of  Mr.  Richard  S.  Hayt.  The 
western  end  of  the  house  is  the  same  that  was  standing  on  the 
place  when  purchased  in  1793,  Dr.  Richard  S.  Bryant  was  an- 
other early  resident,  and  was  living  in  1790  where  the  present 
residence  of  William  Merritt  stands.  North  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  was  the  house  of  Ebenezsr  Weed.  Tradition  says  that 
this  was  the  first  frame  house  built  in  this  neighborhood.  The 
house  of  Jacob  Stahl  now  stands  on  its  site.  On  the  south  side 
of  the  street,  a  few  rods  east  of  the  railroad,  was  the  house  of 
Ezra  Ayres,  who  owned  a  large  farm  lying  on  both  sides  of  the 
road.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  supervisor  of  the  town 
for  several  terms.  The  house  of  Mr.  Edson  Sloat  is  on  the  site 
of  the  old  one. 

About  80  rods  east  of  the  railroad,  and  on  the  north  side  of 
the  street,  was  the  house  of  Capt.  Alexander  Kidd,  who  was  a 
resident  here  before  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  Scotchman  and 
an  intimate  friend  of  Matthew  Paterson,  who  named  one  of  his 
children  after  him.  He  was  also  a  magistrate  and  a  man  of 
means  and  importance.  The  house  of  Lewis  G.  Pugsley  stands 
on  the  site  of  his  residence,  which  was  torn  down  many  years 
ago.  In  the  village  burying  ground  stands  the  tombstone  of 
Capt.  Kidd.  Upon  it  is  the  representation  of  a  full-rigged  ship, 
and  an  inscription  which  records  his  death  in  1806,  at  the  age 
of  78.     Also  the  following  verses  : 

"  By  Boreas'  blasts  and  Neptune's  waves 

We  were  tossed  to  and  fro, 

Now  well  escaped  from  all  their  rage, 

We  anchor  here  below. 
"  Safely  we  ride  in  triumph  here 

With  many  of  our  fleet; 

Till  the  signal  calls  to  weigh  again, 

Our  Admiral  Christ  to  meet." 

The  Delavans,  a  Huguenot  family,  lived  north  of  the  ceme- 
tery on  a  place  now  owned  by  Miss  Julia  Paterson. 

The  Grant  family  lived  north  of  Patterson,  in  the  town  of 
Pawling.  The  head  of  the  family  was  an  officer  in  the  British 
army  and  fell  at  the  storming  of  Fort  Montgomery.  The 
tombstones  of  some  of  this  family  are  in  the  village  church- 
yard at  Patterson. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  street,  on  the  road  running  south  to 
Cowl's  Corners,  is  a  place  which  is  quite  noted  in  local  history. 
This  place  was  originally  owned  by  Elijah  Hawley,.wh6  sold  it 


TOWN    OF    PATTERSON.  641 

to  Samuel  Haviland  May  6th,  1795.  The  place  was  described 
as  "50  acres  of  land  bounded  west  by  Croton  River,  north  by 
the  farm  of  Samuel  Augustus  Barker,  and  east  and  south  by 
the  road,"  also  50  acres  on  the  east  side  of  the  road.  Here 
Samuel  Haviland,  and  his  son  David  after  him,  kept  a  tavern, 
which  was  a  noted  resort  for  many  years.  A  tract  of  three  or 
four  acres  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  was  bought  of  Ezra 
Jennings,  who  owned  a  large  farm  and  whose  dwelling  house  is 
still  standing  (though  in  the  last  stages  of  dilapidation  and 
long  since  abandoned),  about  one-eighth  of  a  mile  south  of  the 
corner.  Upon  this  tract  the  "  General  trainings  "  were  held  in 
the  old  days  of  militia  companies,  and  here  at  stated  times, 
troops  of  home  made  soldiers,  arrayed  in  motley  garb  and  bear- 
ing weapons  which  might  have  seen  service  in  the  Revolution, 
appeared  and  were  duly  "trained"  by  officers  who  enjoyed 
the  happiness  of  a  little  brief  authority.  The  day  concluded 
with  horse  racing,  and  not  unfrequently  the  ceremonies  were 
diversified  by  tights,  brought  on  through  the  influence  of  New 
England  or  West  India  rum,  obtained  at  the  neighboring 
tavern,  and  which  was  quite  as  potent  in  its  effects  as  the 
whisky  of  more  modern  times.  The  place  was  afterward  sold 
to  Elisha  Aikin,  whose  son,  Anthony  Aldrich  Aikin,  is  its 
present  owner.  It  is  now  generally  known  as  "Aikin's  Cor- 
ners," and  only  fond  memories  remain  of  the  time  when  the 
tavern  sign  swung  to  and  fro  and  good  cheer  awaited  the 
traveller. 

The  road  at  this  place,  which  runs  north  to  Pawling,  and 
south  to  Cowl's  Corners  and  beyond,  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the 
country.  It  was  laid  out  in  1745,  and  described  as  running 
from  Col.  Beekman's  Patent  to  Westchester.  The  farms 
through  which  this  road  runs  were  all  laid  out,  bounded  on  the 
west  by  Croton  River  and  on  the  east  by  the  Oblong.  At  the 
time  when  settlements  were  first  made  here  (which  was  at  a 
period  when  the  boundary  between  New  York  and  Connecticut 
was  not  clearly  defined),  the  land  in  the  valley  was  low  and 
swampy,  and  covered  with  a  thick  growth  of  bushes  and  trees. 
For  this  reason,  the  first  settlers  built  their  houses  on  the  high 
land  to  the  east,  and  in  walks  over  these  hills,  it  is  no  un- 
common thing  to  find  the  foundation  stones  of  dwellings,  the 
memory  of  which  has  long  since  perished,  and  these  and  a  few 
bunches    of  tansy   and  yellow  lilies,  perennial  plants  which 

41 


642  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

have  long  survived  the  hands  that  planted  them,  are  all  that  is 
left  to  tell  vrliere  the  mansion  stood  and 

"  Where  once  a  garden  smiled." 

The  farm  now  the  homestead  of  Hon.  Henry  Mabie,  about 
a  mile  south  of  Aikin's  Corners,  was  at  the  time  of  the  Revo- 
lution, and  for  many  years^previous,  the  farm  of  Thomas  Men- 
zies,  a  magistrate  and  prominent  man  in  his  day,  and  one  of  the 
magnates  of  the  old  "  South  Precinct  of  Dutchess  County."  He 
adhered  to  the  Royal  cause  during  the  war  and  lost  his  prop- 
erty like  many  others.  To  the  north  of  this  was  the  farm  of 
David  Hill,  which  was  sold  to  him  by  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feitures December  2d,  1780.  In  the  deed  it  is  thus  described: 
"Farm  No.  13  on  the  map  of  Benjamin  Morgan,  beginning  at 
the  Southwest  corner  of  farm  12,  now  or  late  in  possession  of 
David  Aikin  and  running  east  123  chains,  to  the  Oblong,  being 
in  breadth  north  and  south  16  chains  and  30  links  bounded 
E.  by  the  Oblong,  West  by  Croton  river,  North  by  farm  12, 
South  by  farm  now  or  late  of  Thomas  Menzies,  containing  195 
acres  except  34  acres  leased  to  Isaiah  Aikin."  David  Hill  sold 
it  to  Ebenezer  Palmer,  and  it  is  now  owned  by  his  grand- 
daughter. Miss  Caroline  Palmer.  The  farm  No.  12  is  now  owned 
by  the  heirs  of  Henry  A.  Stejjhens. 

The  road  that  runs  up  the  mountain  to  the  east  of  the  school 
house  runs  through  the  large  farm  which  was  leased  in  1762  to 
Dennis  Wright  as  stated  before,  and  seems  to  have  been  in  pos- 
session of  the  Aiken  family  from  very  early  times.  The  old 
homestead  of  this  family  is  near  the  Oblong  line,  and  to  the 
east  of  a  small  brook.  From  the  summit  of  a  hill  near  this  place 
a  person  has  a  most  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding  region, 
embracing  the  valley  which  forms  so  important  a  portion  of  the 
town,  and  the  hills  which  surround  it,  forming  a  vast  amphi- 
theatre, while  to  the  north  the  eye  wanders  far  up  into  Dutchess 
county.  Near  the  Aiken  homestead  is  a  family  burying  ground, 
where  many  of  the  past  generations  rest. 

North  of  the  Aiken  farm  is  the  one  now  belonging  to  Gilbert 
Tabor  and  formerly  owned  by  Comfort  Field.  The  south  line 
■of  this  farm  is  considered  the  county  line,  and  consequently  the 
farm  is  in  Dutchess  county.  The  road  that  runs  to  the 
mortheast,  up  the  hill  from  Aiken's  Corners,'  is  part  of  the  old 
Philipstown  Turnpike,  and  the  portion  of  the  turnpike  which 
was  first  abandoned.     The  Gilbert  Tabor  farm  runs  north  along 


TOWN   OF   PATTERSON.  643 

the  Oblong  for  some  distance,  and  its  north  line  is  not  far  from 
the  original  north  bounds  of  the  old  Philipse  Patent. 

Two  miles  south  of  Aiken's  Corners,  and  at  the  entrance  to 
Haviland  Hollow,  is  the  locality  known  as  "Cowl's  Corners." 
This  was  where  Uriah  Sill  formerly  had  his  residence,  and  the 
old  house  is  yet  standing  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  which 
runs  east  through  the  hollow.  To  the  east  of  him  lived  James 
Birdsall,  and  still  further  east  was  the  farm  of  Oliver  Yale. 
Benjamin  Cowl  came  to  this  town  from  Providence,  R.  I.,  and 
as  early  as  1802  had  a  tannery  near  the  bridge,  at  this  locality, 
over  Croton  River.  He  also  kept  a  store,  and  by  industry  and 
good  calculation  accumulated  a  fortune.  Uriah  Sill  also  had  a 
tannery  here,  and  also  a  store  on  the  corner,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  road.  The  store,  with  land  on  both  sides  of  the  road, 
was  sold  by  Benjamin  Sill  (son  of  Uriah)  to  Benjamin  and  Henry 
Cowl  January  28th,  1835. 

The  house  of  Benjamin  Cowl,  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of 
William  H.  Cowl,  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  and  about 
thirty  rods  south  of  the  road  running  east  of  Haviland  Hollow. 
This  house  stands  on  the  site  of  a  house  which  was  owned  by 
Nathan  Burcham  at  the  time  when  the  Philipse  Patent  was  sur- 
veyed in  1754.  At  a  point  in  the  road  where  the  Oblong  line 
crosses  it,  and  which  is  about  eight  rods  south  of  the  house,  is 
the  southeast  corner  of  Lot  No.  7  of  Philipse  Patent  and  the 
northeast  corner  of  Lot  No.  8.  The  original  survey  states  that 
the  corner  is  "at  a  rock  and  heap  of  stones  on  the  Oblong  line, 
in  a  road,  two  chains  south  of  Nathan  Burcham's  house."  The 
Oblong  line  runs  from  this  point  north,  and  crosses  the  road  at 
Haviland  Hollow,  just  west  of  the  Methodist  chapel,  and  runs 
up  the  mountain.  On  the  top  of  the  mountain  is  a  heap  of 
stones  which  is  the  14  mile  monument  on  the  Oblong.  From 
the  corner  of  Lot  7,  mentioned  above,  the  Oblong  line  runs 
south  and  crosses  the  swamp.  A  large  willow  tree  and  an  elm 
tree  stand  on  the  line. 

Prom  the  east  corner  on  the  Oblong  line,  the  line  between  Lots 
7  and  8  runs  west  and  is  the  north  line  of  the  land  of  George  W. 
Kinner.  West  of  the  swamp  it  is  the  north  line  of  the  farm  o£ 
John  Haines  and  the  south  line  of  the  farm  of  Alanson  Palmer. 
It  runs  near  the  house  of  Alanson  Palmer  and  over  the  hill  to 
the  west  of  his  house,  a  stone  wall  stands  on  the  line.  At  the 
west  end  of  this  it  crosses  a  road  and  runs  a  few  feet  soiith  of 


644  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  barn  south  of  the  house  of  Dennis  Palmer.  West  from  this 
it  is  plainly  marked  by  a  stone  wall  running  over  a  high  hill. 
This  line  crosses  the  Harlem  Railroad  at  Towner's  Station,  ex- 
actly at  the  south  end  of  the  covered  bridge,  where  the  New 
York  and  New  England  Railroad  and  the  Harlem  Railroad 
cross  each  other.  To  the  east  of  this,  in  the  swamp  and  beyond 
it,  is  the  boundary  between  the  farms  of  Mrs.  Carrie  P.  Haines, 
on  the  north,  and  the  farm  of  Herman  Rogers  on  the  south. 
West  of  the  railroad  it  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  farm  of 
Charles  Towner  on  the  north,  and  the  land  of  Michael  Orman 
and  George  W.  Dykemau  on  the  south.  Passing  over  the  hill 
still  further  to  the  west,  it  passes  a  short  distance  south  of  the 
house  of  Edson  Smith  and  was  formerly  the  south  boundary  of 
the  farm  of  Peter  S.  Kent,  which  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Smith. 
The  line  crosses  the  road  about  thirty  rods  west  of  Mr.  Smith's 
house,  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  forms,  for  a  short  dis- 
tance, the  southerly  boundary  of  an  orchard;  while  on  the 
north  side  of  the  road  a  line  of  stonewall  stretches  unbroken  to 
the  west  to  a  point  where  it  again  crosses  the  road.  To  the  west 
of  this  last  point  the  line  of  fence  is  broken  and  the  line  for  a 
long  distance  is  obliterated.  The  west  end  of  the  line  which  is 
the  southwest  corner  of  Lot  No.  7  and  the  northwest  corner  of 
Lot  No.  8,  is  on  the  line  between  the  towns  of  Kent  and  Patter- 
son, about  80  rods  south  of  the  house  of  Lewis  G.  Robinson, 
and  is  at  the  point  where  the  town  line  approaches  nearest  to 
the  middle  branch  of  Croton  River.  At  this  place  a  stone  wall 
on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Robinson  (and  which  is  on  the  town  line) 
terminates,  and  another  wall  runs  to  the  east,  which  is  the 
original  lot  line. 

The  southern  part  of  the  town  of  Patterson  is  the  north  half 
of  Lot  8  of  Philipse  Patent,  and  the  early  inhabitants  of  this 
portion  were  tenants  of  Mrs.  Margaret  Ogilvie,  widow  of  Philip 
Philipse,  and  her  children.  A  list  of  the  owners  of  farms  on 
this  lot  will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of  the  town  of  Southeast, 
and  it  only  remains  to  notice  a  few  of  the  most  important 
places. 

On  the  road  running  north  from  Doansburg,  and  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  road  leading  to  De  Forest's  Corners,  is  the  dwelling 
house  and  farm  of  Dr.  Jonathan  F.  Seeley.  This  farm  also  be- 
longed to  his  father,  Abijah  Seeley,  to  whom  it  was  sold  by 
Frederick  Philipse.     This  farm  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  the 


TOWN    OF   PATTERSON.  645 

Oblong  line,  which  is  here  very  plainly  marked  by  a  line  of 
stone  wall  extending  for  a  long  distance.  About  half  a  mile 
east  of  the  junction  of  the  two  roads  is  another  tract,  belong  • 
ing  to  Dr.  Seeley,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Oblong  line,  which 
here  forms  the  boundary  between  his  land  and  the  farm  of  A 1- 
bert  Baker.  About  50  rods  north  of  the  road  is  a  hill,  with  a 
point  of  rocks  on  its  eastern  side,  overlooking  the  swamp  and 
low  land  by  Croton  River.  It  was  here  that  the  12  mile  monu- 
ment was  placed  on  the  Oblong  line. 

About  a  mile  north  of  Dr.  Seeley' s,  and  on  the  west  side  of 
the  road,  is  a  place  known  as  " Elm  Tree  Corners."  This  de- 
rives its  name  from  an  elm  tree,  which  is  probably  the  largest 
in  the  county.  It  was  mentioned  as  a  "great  elm  tree"  in  1812. 
This  monarch  of  the  forest  has  seen  its  best  days,  is  rapidly 
falling  into  decay,  and  in  a  few  years  will  probably  be  gone. 
The  farm  on  which  it  stands  now  belongs  to  James  H.  Haight, 
and  is  part  of  a  large  tract  which  formerly  belonged  to  Abner 
Crosby.  It  was  sold  to  Dr.  Daniel  Reed  by  James  and  Maria 
Crosby,  April  2d,  1851,  from  whom  it  passed  to  its  present 
owners. 

Next  north  of  this  is  the  elegant  residence  of  James  Crosby, 
where  in  former  days  an  inn  was  kept  by  Eber  Crosby.  The 
old  sign,  adorned  with  Masonic  symbols,  is  still  preserved  bj' 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Alfred  C.  Penney,  of  Patterson. 

In  the  northwestern  part  of  Lot  8  is  a  small  lake  which  bears 
the'name  of  Hinckley  Pond,  from  a  family  who  settled  near  it, 
about  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  On  the  east  side  of  this 
pond  was  a  large  tract  of  several  hundred  acres  which  was  held 
by  Abner  Crosby  as  a  tenant  of  the  Philipse  family.  In  the 
survey  of  the  lot  made  in  1810,  a  corner  of  one  of  the  farms, 
which  bordered  on  the  pond,  was  said  to  be  "a  rock  of  great 
size  and  eminence,  which  was  rolled  down  from  the  top  of  the 
mountain  by  some  of  the  neighboring  inhabitants,  on  Christ- 
mas day,  1785."  June  13th,  1796,  202  acres  of  the  tract  for- 
merly held  by  him,  was  sold  to  Abner  Crosby,  by  Mrs.  Margaret 
Ogilvie.  Frederick  Philipse  sold  to  Joshua  and  Samuel  Mabie, 
120  acres  of  the  same  tract  February  6th,  1813,  and  it  is  de- 
scribed as  "bounded  west  by  Hinckley  Pond  and  its  outlet. 
Muddy  brook."  This  was  sold  to  William  Merritt  by  Samuel 
Mabie,  in  1837. 

Abraham  Mabie,  father  of  Joshua  and  Samuel,  and  the  an- 


646  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

cestor  of  the  family  of  that  name  in  this  county,  removed  from 
Lake  Mahopac  and  settled  in  this  vicinity  at  the  close  of  the 
last  century. 

Hinckley  Pond  vras  purchased  by  the  National  Ice  Company, 
of  New  York,  November  8th,  1874,  from  parties  claiming  it  as 
ov^ners  of  the  adjoining  land.  The  representatives  of  the 
Philipse  family  claiming  it  as  unsold  property,  and  as  a  portion 
of  their  ancestral  domain,  have  commenced  a  suit,  which  is 
not  yet  decided,  to  obtain  possession  of  the  same. 

The  Great  Swamp  covers  a  large  extent  of  land  on  both  sides 
of  the  Croton  and  its  tributary,  Muddy  Brook,  and  a  success- 
ful effort  to  drain  it  would  result  in  the  reclamation  of  an  ex- 
tensive tract  of  valuable  and  fertile  land.  A  petition  was 
presented  to  the  Legislature  in  1792,  by  Matthew  Paterson  and 
others,  which  recited  among  other  things,  that  the  channels  of 
these  streams  were  greatly  obstructed  by  fallen  trees  and  an- 
cient beaver  dams,  and  that  if  these  obstructions  could  be  re- 
moved, and  the  channels  cleared  arid  straightened,  a  large 
amount  of  land  could  be  made  into  valuable  pasturage.  In  ac- 
cordance with  this,  an  Act  was  passed  March  7th,  1793,  by 
which  £300  were  appropriated  for  that  purpose,  to  be  repaid 
by  the  proprietors  of  the  lands  in  question.  Some  effort  ap- 
pears to  have  been  made,  but  without  much  success,  and  the 
prospect  of  draining  and  reclaiming  this  tract  is  a  work  for  f  u  - 
ture  years.  The  allusion  to  "ancient  beaver  dams  "  recalls  a 
fact,  which  few  at  present  can  realize,  that  there  was  a  time 
when  these  animals  were  very  common.  In  the  early  days  of 
the  Dutch  government  and  for  years  after,  beaver  skins  were  a 
regular  article  of  trade  and  barter,  and  were  so  valuable  and  so 
eagerly  sought  after  that  the  animals  were  completely  exter- 
minated. 

Towner's  Station,  on  the  Harlem  Railroad,  is  a  small  village, 
which  derives  its  name  from  the  Towner  family,  who  were  early 
settlers.  Among  the  rare  documents  which  yet  remain,  of  pre- 
Revolutionary  times,  is  a  lease  given  by  Beverly  Robinson  to 
Samuel  Towner.  This  lease,  which  is  printed  in  blank,  conveys 
to  Samuel  Towner,  aged  27,  his  wife  Mary,  aged  24,  and  their 
oldest  child  Hannah,  aged  5,  during  their  three  lives,  "All  that 
tract  beginning  at  a  black  oak  tree  marked,  on  the  north-west- 
erly side  of  Muddy  brook,  in  Philip  Philipse  line  and  is  the 
south-west  corner  of  farm  60.     Thence  down  the  several  courses 


TOWN   OP   PATTJiRSON.  647 

of  Muddy  brook,  to  the  upper  corner  of  farm  25,  now  in  pos- 
session of  Rowland  Piny.  Thence  S.  81  degrees  West  40  chains, 
to  the  northeast  corner  of  farm  26,  thence  South  3  degrees  15 
minutes  West,  25  chains  63  links,  to  a  stake  on  the  road,  then 
N.  61  degrees  45  minutes  W.  16  chains  24  links  along  the  road. 
Thence  S.  42  chains  32  links  to  a  chestnut  sapling  in  Philip 
Philipse'sline  and  is  the  S.  E.  corner  of  farm  23.  Then  East 
48  chains  along  Philipse  line  to  the  beginning  and  is  described 
in  a  map  and  return  book  made  by  Benjamin  Morgan,  as  farm 
61.  The  above  courses  were  run  in  April,  1761,  from  which 
time  the  variation  of  the  compass  must  be  allowed,  containing 
269  acres,  more  or  less." 

In  this  lease  the  mines  and  minerals  were  reserved,  and  also 
all  mill  privileges.  The  rent  was  to  be  "27  ounces  of  silver 
plate  of  the  value  of  Sevil  Pillar,  or  Mexico  plate,"  annually 
for  the  first  ten  years,  and  six  ounces  more  for  each  additional 
ten  years.  The  lessee  was  to  plant  200  apple  trees  and  50  other 
fruit  trees  within  five  years  and  within  ten  years  he  was  to  erect 
"  a  good  stone,  brick  or  frame  house,  30  feet  in  length  and  24 
feet  wide,  at  least."  The  lease  is  dated  November  27th,  1773, 
and  witnessed  by  John  Terrill  and  Malcom  Morrison. 

After  the  Revolution  this,  like  all  the  rest  of  the  property 
of  Beverly  Robinson,  was  confiscated  and  sold.  The  following- 
certificate  was  found  among  the  papers  of  the  Towner  family: 

"  The  Commissioners  of  Forfeitures  for  the  middle  district  do 
certify  that  they  have  sold  at  Public  Vandue  at  the  house  of 
Matthew  Paterson,  Esq.,  in  Fredericksburg  Precinct,  in  Dutch- 
ess County,  to  Samuel  Towner,  a  farm  of  land  now  in  posses- 
sion of  said  Towner,  containing  about  269  acres,  for  the  sum  of 
twelve  thousand  and  twenty  five  pounds  Continental  money. 
Said  farm  is  situated  in  the  Precinct  of  Fredericksburg,  and  is 
become  forfeited  to  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  by 
the  attainder  of  Beverly  Robinson,  late  of  said  County,  Esq., 
and  Susannah  his  wife.     As  witness  our  hands  this  23d  day  of 

August,  1780. 

"Dan.  Graham,  /     Com.  of 
"Saml.  Dodge,    j  Forfeitures." 

A  deed  was  given  to  Samuel  Towner,  by  the  commissioners, 
April  27th,  1781,  and  this  and  the  original  lease  are  now  in  pos 
session  of  the  family.     The  depreciated  value  of  Continental 
money,  at  that  time,  may  account  for  the  large  sum  paid.     The 


648  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

old  homestead  of  Samuel  Towner  and  his  dwelling,  was  on  the 
place  now  owned  by  Charles  Peck,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road, 
a  short  distance  north  of  the  Baptist  Cemetery.  The  old  house 
was  removed  some  years  since,  and  now  stands  some  rods  east 
of  the  road,  an  interesting  relic  of  the  past. 

Samuel  Towner  died  April  1st,  1814,  at  the  age  of  70.  His 
descendants  are  numerous  here  and  have  held  important  posi- 
tions in  the  town.  On  this  road,  running  to  the  village  of  Pat- 
terson, were  situated  several  houses  of  early  residents  in  this 
region.  On  the  east  side  of  the  road,  and  just  south  of  a  brook 
that  crosses  it,  is  the  residence  of  David  Peck.  This  was  for- 
merly the  homestead  of  Abijah  Starr,  and  still  farther  back,  in 
the  days  of  the  Revolution,  was  the  home  of  Roswell  Wilcox, 
who  was  a  man  of  considerable  importance  in  his  day,  and 
one  of  the  founders  and  a  first  trustee  of  the  Baptist  church. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  road,  and  on  the  north  of  the  high- 
way that  runs  to  the  west,  is  the  old  homestead  of  the  St.  John 
family.  This  was  for  many  years  later  the  home  of  Jacob  Sun- 
derland, who  was  justice  of  the  peace,  and  a  prominent  citizen. 
After  his  death,  his  widow,  Hannah  Sunderland,  continued  to 
live  in  the  same  house,  and  was  found  one  morning,  murdered, 
in  her  solitary  home.  A  colored  man,  who  was  arrested  on  sus- 
picion, was  convicted  of  the  crime,  and  is  now  serving  a  life 
sentence  for  the  deed.     This  was  in  1882. 

At  the  corner  where  the  road  turns  toward  Patterson,  is  the 
pie^ent  residence  of  Mr.  John  K.  Wyatt,  formerly  clerk  of  the 
county.  This  was  formerly  the  homestead  of  the  Beach  family. 
Guernsey  Beach,  who  was  one  of  the  last  representatives  of  this 
family,  was  a  man  of  eccentric  peculiarities.  One  of  his  requests 
was  that  he  should  be  buried  in  a  coffin  of  unplained  boards, 
and  that  his  grave  should  be  made  in  a  remote  corner  of  his 
farm.  To  this  spot  he  had  some  years  before  caused  a  large 
rock  to  be  moved,  which  he  directed  should  be  thrown  upon  his 
coffin,  after  it  was  deposited  in  its  last  resting  place.  These 
requests  were  partially  complied  with.  At  the  junction  of 
Muddy  Brook  and  Croton  River  is  a  large  farm,  which,  at  the 
time  of  the  Revolution,  was  in  possession  of  Alexander  Menzies. 
This  farm  was  sold  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  to  Samuel 
T.  Pell,  and  by  him  to  Lewis  Cornwall,  of  Queen's  county,  who 
sold  it  to  his  brother,  Samuel  Cornwall,  April  16th,  1785.  It  is 
described  as  "  Lot  57  formerly  in  possession  of  Alexander  Men- 


TOWN    OF   PATTERSON.  649 

zies,  beginning  at  an  oak  tree,  standing  on  the  east  side  of 
Muddy  Brook,  which  is  the  northwest  corner  of  the  farm  of 
Nathan  Crosby,  sold  to  Wm.  Duer,  and  runs  east  111  chains  to 
Croton  River,  from  thence  northerly  bounding  on  the  west  side 
of  Croton  River,  conforming  to  the  several  courses  of  the  same 
until  it  comes  to  where  the  muddy  brook  empties  into  Cro- 
ton River,  from  thence  runs  westerly  and  southerly  bounding 
on  the  muddy  brook  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  300 
acres."  Samuel  Cornwall,  who  came  here  from  Queen's  county, 
was  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  roof  of  a  house,  July  17th,  1800. 
The  farm  is  now  owned  by  his  grandson,  James  H.  Cornwall. 

A  return  of  the  candidates  for  Senate,  and  number  of  votes 
taken  at  the  annual  elections,  held  in  the  town  of  Franklin,  on 
the  30th  day  of  April,  and  first  and  second  days  of  May,  1799, 
as  are  hereto  annexed:  Samuel  Augustus  Barker,  40  votes; 
Isaac  Bloom,  38;  Jesse  Thompson,  36;  John  Hathorn,  26;  James 
Oliver,  24;  John  Suffern,  18. 

A  return  of  the  candidates  for  Assembly  at  the  same  election: 
Samuel  Clift,  60  votes;  Ebenezer  Mott,  70;  Jesse  Oakley,  51; 
Jacob  Brook,  41;  William  B.  Van  Planck,  47;  Richard  D.  Can- 
tillon,  49;  John  King,  40;  Stephen  Barnum,  4;  John  Crane,  36; 
Samuel  Towner,  60;  William  Tabor,  31;  John  Van  Benthuysen, 
27;  Abm.  Adriance,  36;  Joseph  C.  Field,  17;  Robert  Johnston, 
16;  William  Baker,  30;  Isaac  Sherwood,  24;  William  Emott, 
25;  Archibald  Campbell,  1. 

Samuel  Towner,  George  Burch,  Stephen  Barnum,  John  Pat- 
erson,  Samuel  Cornwall,  Inspectors. 

Supervisors  of  Patterson:  Samuel  Towner,  1795  to  1799;  John 
Paterson,  1800  to  1804;  Stephen  Hayt,  1805  to  1806;  Clapp  Ray- 
mond, 1807;  Stephen  Barnum,  1808-9;  Wm.  Watts,  1810;  John 
Hayt,  1811-13;  Elisha  Brown,  1814-16;  John  Hayt,  1816;  Elisha 
Brown,  1817;  Ezra  Ayres,  1818  to  1821;  Daniel  Kent,  1822-33; 
Abijah  Seeley,  1824-25;  Benjamin  Sills,  1826-27;  James  Towner, 
1828-29;  David  Howland,  1830;  Harry  Hayt,  1831;  James 
Towner,  1832-33;  Frederick  Stone,  1834;  Benjamin  F.  Benedict, 
1835-36;  Jacob  Sunderland,  1837-38;  Samuel  H.  Cornwall,  1839 
-40;  Benjamin  H.  Benedict,  1841;  Henry  Hayt,  1842;  James  H. 
Cornwall,  1843;  Benjamin  Cowl,  1844;  James  Paterson,  1845; 
James  Towner,  1846;  Sylvester  Mabie,  1847;  Samuel  Towner, 
1848;  Sylvester  Mabie,  1849;  James  Towner,  1850;  Sylvester 
Mabie,  1861;  Jacob  Sunderland,  1852;  Gilbert   Bailey,  1853-54; 


650  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Sylvester  Mabie,  1855;  James  H.  Cornwall,  1856-57;  Sylvester 
Mabie,  1858-60;  Wm.  Penney,  1861;  Hiram  Penney,  1862;  Daniel 
S.  Judd,  1863-64;  John.  Lawrence,  1865-67;  Sylvester  Mabie, 
1868-71;  Wm.  Green,  1872;  Wm.  Green  (resigned).  1873;  Alfred 
C.  Penney,  1878-74;  James  E.  Taylor,  1875-81 ;  Henry  Mabie, 
1882-84;  Philip  D.  Penney,  1885-86. 

By  Act  of  Legislature  passed  April  6th,  1808,  the  name  of  the 
town  was  changed,  not  from  anj^  disrespect  of  the  great  phi- 
losopher for  whom  it  had  been  named,  but.  as  the  Act  says, 
"  Whereas  considerable  inconvenience  results  from  several  of 
the  towns  in  this  State,  having  the  same  name:  for  remedy 
whereof  *  *  *  *  the  town  of  Franklin  in  the  County  of 
Dutchess,  shall  be  called  Patterson." 

When  the  proposition  was  made  to  establish  a  new  county, 
the  people  of  this  town  were  at  first  opposed  to  it,  as  ex- 
pressed by  votes  at  town  meetings  and   by  petitions  against  it. 

Schools. — The  very  best  evidence  that  the  early  settlers  were 
people  of  intelligence  and  superiority,  is  found  in  the  fact  that 
an  effort  was  made  to  establish  good  schools,  at  an  early  day. 
In  an  agreement  made  June  7th,  1787,  between  Humphry  Ogden, 
jr.,  of  Fredericksburg,  and  John  Townsend,  of  Oyster  Bay,  in 
Queen's  county,  it  is  stated  that  the  said  Hiimphry  Ogden,  jr., 
and  his  father  had  agreed  to  sell  to  John  Townsend  the  farm 
on  which  they,  "the  said  Ogdens,"  had  lately  lived,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  John  Townsend  "  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  privi- 
leges in  the  school  house,  built  on  said  farm,  that  the  said 
Ogdens  were  entitled  to,"  and  John  Townsend  agrees  "  that 
the  proprietors  of  the  school  house  shall  and  may  occupy  and 
enjoy  the  same  or  remove  it  at  their  pleasui'e,  he  being  one  of 
them,  and  when  said  Townsend  shall  request  the  removal,  the 
proprietors  shall  remove  it  within  six  months,  and  lastly  this 
agreement  shall  be  left  in  the  hand  of  Rev.  Samuel  Mills,"  who, 
with  Roswell  Wilcox,  was  a  witness. 

This  school  house  stood  near  where  the  present  public  school 
building  now  stands,  and  was,  as  it  appears,  built  by  voluntary 
subscriptions  of  the  neighbors,  on  land  the  use  qf  which  had 
been  given  by  Humphry  Ogden.  The  oldest  document  that  we 
have  seen  in  relation  to  schools,  contains  the  following: 

"  School  Rate:  Samuel  Mills,  £2  19s.  6d.;  David  Close,  1  19  8; 
Matthew    Paterson,    3  19  4;  Roswell   Wilcox,  0  19  10;  David 


TOWW   OF   PATTERSON.  651 

Hecock,  0  19  10;  Wm.  C.  Mills,  1 19  8;  Nathaniel  Foster,  0  19  10- 
Alexander  Mills,  2  19  10;  John  Douglass,  0  19  10;  Ichabod 
Shaw,  1  19  8;  Elijah  Oakley,  0  19  10;  Nathan  Sturges,  1  19  8^ 
Abm.  St.  John,  0  11  0;  Samuel  Johnston,  0  7  8;  Robert  Watts, 
0  110.     Total,  £25  5s.  lOd. 

"April  25th,  1783,  Reed,  of  Matthew  Paterson  of  the  within 
£5  10s.  2d. 

"  Charles  Ambler." 

Charles  Ambler  was,  doubtless,  the  village  pedagogue  and 
swayed  the  birch  in  this  primeval  school.  When  the  school 
district  was  increased,  we  find  the  following: 

"We  the  subscribers  being  appointed  at  the  annual  town 
meeting  Commissioners  of  the  Common  Schools,  in  the  town  of 
Paterson  have  divided  said  town  into  the  following  Districts,, 
to  wit: 

Dist.  No.  1  in  the  village. 

2  near  Isaac  Beaches. 

3  John  Haviland  2d. 

4  Abijah  Rowland. 

5  Moses  Crosby. 

6  Samuel  Mabie. 

7  James  Towner. 

8  Jonathan  Squires. 

"  We  certify  the  above  Districts  to  be  all  that  have  come  to- 
our  knowledge,  and  that  they  will  be  known  by  the  said  num- 
bers. 
"Sept.  4th,  1813. 

"Ben J.  Cowl. 
"  John  Hatt." 

In  August,  1825,  Jonathan  Fowler  sold  by  deed  to  the  trus- 
tees of  District  No.  9,  "partly  in  Kent,"  apiece  of  land  "large 
enough  to  set  the  school  house  on,  so  long  as  it  shall  be  wanted 
for  a  school  if  forever ^ 

An  academy  or  high  school  was  erected  many  years  ago,  a 
little  east  of  the  present  school  house.  This  was  burned  the 
year  after  its  erection.  An  academy  was  afterward  built,  about 
1838,  on  the  land  of  Ezra  Ay  res  and  stood  where  Seaman's- 
Hotel  now  stands,  on  the  north  side  of  the  main  street  of  Pat 
terson,  west  of  the  railroad.  One  of  the  teachers  was  Ebenezer 
Close,  a  distant  relative  of  Rev.  David  Close,  and  who  caused 
his  remains  to  be  removed  to  the  present  churchyard. 


652  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

The  town  was  at  first  divided  into  five  districts,  and  the  fol- 
lowing is  a  copy  of  the  oldest  school  report  to  be  fonnd  in  the 
town  clerk's  office  : 

"  An  account  of  the  Different  Schools  in  the  town  of  Frank- 
lin, 19th  day  of  March,  1796. 

"  Philetus  Philips,  Benjamin  Benedict  and  Richard  S.  Bryan, 
Trustees  for  the  City  district  School  No.  1,  applyed  on  the  16th 
day  of  July,  1795.  The  School  commenced  by  Tompkins 
Delavan  the  6th  day  of  July,  1795,  who  taught  4  months  at  the 
rate  of  £3  6s.  8d.  per  montli,  and  agreeably  to  the  Trustee's  re- 
turns 1581  days.  James  D.  Wallace  teacher  of  the  above  school 
for  one  quarter  at  £12  per  quarter,  agreeable  to  the  Trustee's 
returns  2174  days. 

"  Ezra  Jennings,  Uriah  Sill,  and  Darius  Stone,  Trustees  for 
the  School  District  No.  2.  Commenced  by  Bbenezer  Elwell, 
master,  9th  day  of  Nov.,  1795.  The  above  master's  wages  is 
16  pounds  for  5  months,  agreeable  to  the  trustee's  returns  is 
1783  days. 

"  Wm.  Stow  and  Jabez  Elwell,  for  the  School  District  No.  3. 
Commenced  by  Benjamin  Yentress,  the  7th  day  of  Dec,  1795, 
and  ended  the  15  th  day  of  March,  1796,  for  which  services  he 
receives  £7  7s.  6d. 

"  Blackleach  Jessup  and  Benjamin  Ogden,  Trustees  for  the 
School  District  No.  4.  Commenced  by  Daniel  Flyn,  on  the 
25th  day  of  Nov.,  1795.  Agreeable  to  theTrastee's  return  2681 
days  £27,  2,  5. 

"  Reuben  Crosby  and  Moses  Crosby,  Trustees  for  the  School 
District  No.  5.  Commenced  the  5tli.  day  of  August,  1795,  by 
Darius  Crosby,  at  the  rate  of  5  pounds  per  month,  said  Crosby 
has  teached  168  days  in  the  above  school.  Agreeable  to  the 
Trustee's  return  2772  days.     £28,  0,  1. 

"  The  names  and  number  of  days  each  Scholar  has  attended 
school  No.  3  in  the  town  of  Franklin,  began  July  9th,  1798, 
and  ended  Oct.  14th  the  same  year.  Daniel  Delavan,  master, 
wages  one  Dollar  for  each  scholar  per  quarter:  Phebe  Solomon, 
42;  Laura  Delavan,  68;  David  Haviland,  57;  Huldah  Jennings, 
63;  Samuel  Jennings,  1;  George  Stone,  52;  Jesse  Wilson,  62; 
David  Beach,  65;  Deborah  Delavan,  5;  Edward  Kellogg,  53; 
James  Aikin,  74;  Eliphalet,  negro  boy,  31;  Rebecca  Johnston, 
6;  Lydia  Kellogg,  70;  Lawrence  Stone,  4;  Jack,  negro  boy,  1; 
Jared   Stone,    62;    Delia   Delavan,    70;    Lavina   Haviland,    61; 


TOWN    OF  PATTERSON.  65B 

Thomas  Jennings,  18;  Gould  Wilson,  59;  Hannah  Stone,  71; 
Abigail  Wilson,  69;  Elijah  Beach,  73;  Sally  Delavan,  3;  Polly 
Aikin,  3;  Benjamin  Aikin,  71;  Frederick  Kellogg,  72;  Abbie 
Kellogg,  49;  Charlotte  Stone,  2;  Mary  Stone,  50;  Silva,  black 
girl,  3.     Total,  1400. 


"  Amos  Kellogg, 


Trustees 


)) 


"  Daniel  Aikin,   f 

The  oldest  citizens  of  our  town  will  remember  the  above  boys 
and  girls  as  old  men  and  women.  It  is  doubtful  if  one  is  living 
now. 

Feanklin  Union  Library. — In  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century,  a  library  bearing  the  above  name  was  established,  and 
owned  by  a  company  consisting  of  prominent  men  of  the  town. 
A  little  pamphlet,  of  which  we  have  seen  but  one  copy,  con- 
tains the  following: 

"  Rules  of  admission  into  the  Franklin  Union  Library 
Society,  for  the  promotion  of  Agriculture  and  Morality. 

"  Any  person  of  lawful  age  and  a  respectable  moral  char- 
acter, after  the  examination  and  approbation  of  the  Society, 
may  be  admitted  as  a  Member.  But  any  person  addicted  to 
drunkenness,  profane  or  obscene  language,  and  showing  bad 
example  in  his  family  or  neighborhood  shall  ever  be  deemed 
unworthy  of  admission." 

Then  follows  a  list  of  books,  beginning  with  "  Rollin's  An- 
cient History"  in  10  volumes,  the  whole  number  of  volumes 
being  1:48,  and  of  a  very  substantial  nature.  A  certificate  of 
membership  of  Matthew  Paterson  is  dated  February  4th,  1794, 
and  signed  by  Roswell  Wilcox,  president,  and  Silas  Marsh, 
secretary.  The  seal  attached  has  the  representation  of  a  house 
in  the  center,  an  ox  head  on  the  left,  above  a  sheaf  of  wheat 
and  a  plow,  and  on  the  right  a  man  reading.  This  library  ex- 
isted for  many  years  but  was  finally  sold  and  scattered.  The 
old  book  case,  which  held  the  library,  which  was  considered  a 
great  institution  in  its  day,  is  now  in  possession  of  Mr.  Richard 
Hayt. 

Pendergrast's  Rebellion. — In  the  year  1766  there  was  a 
formidable  anti-rent  rebellion  among  the  tenants  on  the 
Philipse  Patent,  and  especially  among  those  on  the  "Gore." 
During  this  there  was  quite  a  battle  near  the  bridge  at  the 
west  end  of  Patterson  village.     The  full  account  of  this  strug- 


^54  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

•gle  may  be  found  in  the  following  extracts  from  the  New  York 
newspaper  printed  at  that  time.  William  Pendergrast  was  one 
of  the  tenants  of  the  "Grore,"  and  held  a  farm  by  perpetual 
lease,  and  he  was  to  pay  for  rent  the  whole  amount  of  the 
-quit  rent  of  the  whole  patent.  He  afterward  sold  his  lease  to 
one  Humphry  Slocum,  and  moved  away  to  the  country  north 
of  Albany.  His  house  and  farm  were  southeast  of  Pawling' s 
Station.  The  following  is  from  "Holt's  Grazette,"  August 
7th,  1766  : 

"  George  Henry,  a  private  soldier  of  the  28th  Regiment,  in 
Capt.  Skene's  Company,  being  one  of  the  guard  sent  to  escort 
some  provisions  for  the  soldiers  sent  to  suppress  the  rioters  in 
Dutchess  county,  who,  as  he  was  on  the  road  near  Mr.  Robin- 
son's store  suspecting  no  danger,  was  fired  upon  by  three  men 
who  had  been  observed  to  follow  the  escort,  and  was  badly 
Tvounded  in  the  right  knee  by  a  m^^sket  ball — was  sent  down 
to  the  Hospital  at  New  York.  After  languishing  from  the  28th 
of  June  till  the  27th  of  July,  the  wound  being  mortified,  his 
leg  was  cut  off  about  six  inches  above  the  knee.  He  survived 
4:he  operation  till  the  1st  of  Aug:  and  then  died.  The  Coroner's 
inquest  brought  as  a  verdict  '  Willful  murder  by  persons  un- 
known.' " 

''  We  hear  from  Dutchess  County,  that  the  G-raud  Jury  has 
found  a  true  bill  of  indictment  against  Wm.  Pendergrast  for 
High  Treason,  and  that  he  was  to  have  his  trial  yesterday." 

"  Aug.  14th,  1766.  Letters  from  Dutchess  county  advise  that 
at  the  special  Court  then  sitting  there,  Wm.  Pendergrast  was 
found  guilty  of  High  Treason  after  a  trial  of  fv^enty-four 
hours.  Aug.  21st.  We  hear  from  Dutchess  County  that  Pen- 
dergrast has  been  condemned  for  High  Treason  and  was  to 
suffer  death  in  six  weeks.  The  usual  sentence  of  death  was 
passed  upon  him." 

The  name  of  William  Pendergrast  first  appears  in  the  register's 
office  of  Dutchess  county  as  the  lessee  of  a  farm  lease  granted  by 
Roger  Morris,  Beverly  Robinson,  John  Ogilvie,  Philipse  and 
others  in  1766.  The  farm  is  described  as  "adjoining  that  of  John 
Kane,  on  Philipse  Upper  Patent."  William  Pendergrast  was  at 
ihat  time  (1766)  39  years  of  age  and  his  wife  28.  At  that  time 
they  had  six  children.  Their  descendants  now  live  in  Chatauqua 
county. 

"Holt's  Gazette,"  July  31st,  1766:  "  A  special  commission, 


TOWN   OF   PATTEESON.  655 

we  are  told,  has  been  given  for  the  trial  of  some  of  the  rioters 
in  the  upper  counties,  and  on  Thursday  last  his  Honor  Chief 
Justice  Horsemanden  embarked  for  Dutchess  county,  accom- 
panied by  some  of  his  Majesty's  Council,  Attorney- Q-eneral, 
lawyers,  &c.,  and  on  Saturday,  Wm.  Pendergrast,  who  was 
lately  apprehended  and  brought  to  our  gaol,  as  one  of  the 
principals  for  High  Treason,  was  under  a  strong  guard  of 
Grenadiers,  removed  on  board  of  a  sloop,  to  be  carried  up  for 
trial." 

"Holt's  Gazette"  July  3d,  1766:  "We  hear  from  Freder- 
icksburg that  on  Saturday  last,  as  a  party  of  regulars  stationed 
there,  under  command  of  Maj.  Brown,  were  crossing  a  bridge, 
they  were  met  by  about  thirty  of  the  rioters,  who  were  going 
to  join  Pendergrast,  their  Chief's  party.  A  skirmish  ensued, 
wherein  two  of  the  regulars  were  wounded,  and  it  is  supposed, 
a  much  greater  number  of  the  rioters,  who  generally  dismounted 
and  fled  to  the  cornfields  and  bushes,  leaving  some  of  their 
horses  and  guns,  which  were  taken  and  one  prisoner.  Several 
more  were  taken  that  night.  The  next  evening  they  sent  a  flag 
of  truce  with  fifty  followers,  who  were  all  lodged  in  the  meet- 
ing house,  and  the  next  day  several  parties  more  came  in. 
Pendergrast' s  wife  was  gone  to  persuade  her  husband  to  accept 
the  Governor's  mercy,  as  were  many  more  wives  of  the  rioters. 
We  hear  of  no  lives  lost.  It  was  reported  that  300  of  the 
rioters  lodged  at  Quaker  Hill,  intending  to  attack  the  regulars 
on  the  30th,  Ult." 

"Sept.  4th,  1766.  Wm.  Pendergrast,  after  a  trial  of  24 
hours,  wherein  every  reasonable  indulgence  was  allowed  him, 
was  by  a  Jury  of  some  of  the  most  respectable  freeholders, 
found  guilty  of  High  Treason.  It  is  said  in  this,  they  differed 
from  the  Court  and  were  sent  back,  but  persisted  in  their  ver- 
dict. He  was  sentenced  and  ordered  to  be  executed  on  Friday, 
the  26th  of  Sept.  Several  of  the  rioters  were  fined  more  or  less, 
according  to  the  nature  of  their  offences;  two  stood  in  the 
pillory,  and  two  more  were  ordered  to  imprisonment  for  a  time. 
They  all  expressed  much  penitence,  protested  against  such 
riotous  proceedings  for  the  future,  and  exhorted  the  bystanders 
to  take  warning. 

"The  Sheriff  of  the  County,  Mr.  James  Livingston,  has  of- 
fered a  good  reward  to  any  person  inclined  to  assist  at  the  exe- 


656  HISTORY    OF   PCTTNAM   COUNTY. 

ciation  of  Pendergrast  and  has  promised  to  disguise  them  so 
they  shall  not  be  known,  and  secure  them  from  insults." 

"  Sept.  11th,  1766.  On  Mondaj'-  last,  his  excellency.  Sir 
Henry  Moore,  Bart.,  left  Albany  for  Crown  Point,  having  be- 
fore he  set  out  been  pleased  to  send  a  reprieve  to  the  Sheriff  of 
Dutchess  County,  respiting  the  execution  of  Wm.  Pendergrast, 
until  His  Majesty's  pleasure  could  be  made  known." 

A  letter  from  the  Earl  of  Sherburne  to  Gov.  George  Moore, 
dated  at  Whitehall,  Eng.,  December  11th,  1766,  contains  the 
following: 

"I  have  laid  before  the  King,  your  letter  of  the  11th  of 
October,  recommending  Wm.  Pendergrast  to  the  Royal  mercy, 
and  His  Majesty  has  been  graciously  pleased  to  grant  him  his 
pardon,  relying  that  this  instance  of  his  Royal  clemency  will 
have  a  better  effect,  in  recalling  those  mistaken  people  to  their 
duty,  than  the  most  rigorous  punishment." 

'  Presbyterian  Church. — This  church  was  founded  by  Rev. 
David  Close,  who  was  its  first  pastor.  He  came  to  this  place 
from  North  Salem  about  1775,  and  his  name,  as  "Mr.  David 
Cloose,"  occurs  in  the  tax  list  of  1777.  His  brother.  Rev. 
John  Close,  wAs  for  many  years  pastor  of  Newburgh.  After 
laboring  here  with  ardor  and  fidelity  for  several  years,  he  died 
at  a  comparatively  early  age.  The  first  church  edifice  and  the 
scene  of  his  labors,  stood  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  north  of  the 
mill,  at  the  west  end  of  Patterson  street.  A  barn  belonging  to 
Mrs.  Coleman  Haines  now  stands  on  the  spot.  By  the  side  of 
this  church  Mr.  Close  was  buried,  and  here  all  that  was  mortal 
of  him  remained  for  fifty  years,  and  was  then  removed  by  a 
relative  to  the  grave  yard  by  the  present  church,  and  here  the 
the  rude  brown  stone  monument,  which  marks  his  place  of 
burial  bears  the  following  inscription: 

"  IN  MEMORY  OF  RKV.  DAVID  CLOSE,  WHO  DIED  MABCH  19tH,  A.  D.  1783,  AGED  40 

YEARS. 

"  A  Minister  of  Jesus  Christ  lies  here. 
Dear  to  his  flock,  to  the  Great  Shepherd  dear. 
Faithful  to  God  and  to  his  sacred  trust, 
Most  strictly  and  invariably  just. 
His  Soul  was  unaffected  and  sincere, 
He  spake  but  what  he  thought,  and  void  of  fear 
Did  boldly  all  the  truths  of  God  proclaim 
Nor  courted  favor,  nor  attempted  fame." 


TOWN   OF   PATTERSON.  657 

Of  the  state  of  the  church  under  his  pastorate  or  of  its  mem- 
bers, nothing  whatever  is  known.  The  next  mention  of  any 
minister  in  the  place  occurs  June  7th,  1787,  when,  in  an  agree- 
ment made  for  a  sale  of  a  farm,  between  Humphry  Ogden  and 
John  Townsend,  Rev.  Samuel  Mills  is  mentioned  as  the  person 
in  whose  care  the  document  was  to  be  kept,  and  he  signs  it  as 
a  witness.  May  20th,  1789,  at  a  meeting  of  which  Matthew 
Paterson  and  Alexander  Kidd  were  presiding  officers,  the 
church  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Matthew  Paterson, 
Caleb  Frisbee,  Nathaniel  Newman,  Abner  Osborn,  Alexander 
Kidd,  David  Beebee,  and  Ebenezer  Palmer,  as  trustees.  The 
original  certificate  is  among  the  papers  of  the  Paterson  family, 
and  a  record  is  in  the  clerk's  office  in  Dutchess  county.  On  the 
29th  of  March,  1793,  Thomas  Townsend  sold  to  the  trustees  an 
acre  of  land  on  the  south  side  of  the  road,  where  the  chapel 
and  school  house  now  stand,  and  also  another  piece,  which  is 
described  as  "beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  burying 
ground  and  running  north  6  degrees  East  1  chain  10  links, 
thence  N.  84  degrees  West  2  chains  27  links,  then  South  6  de- 
grees West  1  chain  10  links,  then  South  84  degrees  East  2 
chains  27  links,  containing  J  of  an  acre."  The  price  was  £14. 
May  22d,  1793,  Stiles  Peet  and  wife,  Lydia,  sold  to  Henry  LiTd- 
ington,  David  Hecock,  Lewis  Stebbins,  Samuel  A.  Baker,  Na- 
thaniel Newman,  Enoch  Lewis  and  Abner  Osborn,  trustees  of 
the  church,  "All  that  certain  tract  of  land  in  Fredericktown 
beginning  at  a  stake  being  the  southwest  corner  of  the  lot 
hereby  conveyed,  and  in  the  line  of  land  belonging  to  the  Epis- 
copal Church  and  running  northerly  bounding  on  the  land 
aforesaid  and  on  land  lately  purchased  by  the  trustees  above, 
of  Thomas  Townsend  and  Sarah,  his  wife  for  a  burying  ground 
for  the  said  Presbyterian  Society,  216  feet  to  a  stake.  Thence 
easterly  bounding  on  said  Peet' s  own  land  52  feet  to  a  stake, 
then  southerly,  also  bounding  on  said  Peet  216  feet  to  a  stake 
by  the  road,  then  westerly  63  feet  to  the  place  of  beginning  be- 
ing i  of  an  acre."  The  price  was  40  shillings,  and  the  witnesses 
were  Alexander  Mills  and  Medad  Palmer. 

An  inventory  of  the  estate,  real  and  personal,  of  the  church, 
taken  April  29th,  1793,  mentions  "One  lot  of  land  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Fredericksburg,  containing  about  J  acre  of  land,  to- 
gether with  an  old  meeting  house  standing  on  the  same." 
Value  £30. 
43 


658  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

"  1^  acre  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  meeting  house  and  for 
a  burying  place,  for  said  Society,  £14." 

A  subscrijjtion  paper  was  signed  by  sundry  persons,  promising 
to  pay  certain  sums  of  money  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 
meeting  house,  and  for  the  purchase  of  the  lot,  amounting  in 
the  whole,  exclusive  of  the  purchase  money,  to  £201,  lis. 

Another  inventory,  made  December  26th,  1796,  mentions  the 
first  lot  as  "  the  one  on  which  the  old  meeting  house  formerly 
stood,"  and  the  second  lot  mentioned  "with  the  new  meeting 
house  standing  on  the  same."  This  establishes,  approximately, 
the  date  when  the  first  meeting  house  was  destroyed  and  the 
second  one  built,  which  evidently  stood  on  the  land  bought  of 
Stiles  Peet.     It  was  a  little  west  of  the  present  church. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Hudson  Presbytery,  in  September,  1794, 
Rev.  John  Close  was  appointed  to  organize  the  church  in  Fred- 
ericksburg and  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supj)er, 
which  he  performed  in  April,  1795.  At  that  time  Mr.  John 
Hayt  and  Mr.  Enoch  Lewis  were  admitted  members  of  the 
church,  and  Cordelia,  daughter  of  the  former,  was  baptized. 
In  June,  1795,  Rev.  Isaac  Orton  was  employed  to  preach  and 
continued  till  September,  1798.  Under  his  ministry,  Mrs.  Anna 
Lewis,  wife  of  Mr.  Elisha  Lewis,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Barker,  wife 
of  Gen.  Samuel  Agustus  Barker,  were  admitted  members.  At 
a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  November  18th,  1795,  in  answer  to 
certain  questions  of  the  trustees,  "  the  Presbytery  were  of  opin- 
ion that  the  Church  Corporation  was  founded  on  the  considera- 
tion of  the  existence  of  said  church,  which  was  formerly  under 
the  care  of  Rev.  David  Close,  deceased,  by  being  incorporated 
about  six  years  after  his  death.  And  although  it  appears  that 
the  Church  has  for  some  years  past  been  in  a  broken  state,  yet 
as  there  are  still  living  several  members  of  the  church  who  were 
under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Close,  therefore  the  Presbytery  did 
judge  that  the  said  church  doth  still  exist."  In  September, 
1799,  Rev.  Mr.  Judd  came  and  served  for  six  months.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Clark,  who  came  May  13th,  1800,  and 
remained  ten  months.  In  May,  1801,  the  trustees  employed 
Rev.  John  McNeice,  who  was  then  jsrincipal  of  the  academy  at 
North  Salem,  to  write  to  Rev.  William  Jackson.  Rev.  Mr. 
Philips  preached  for  three  months,  and  Mr.  Jackson  came  and 
preached  "  three  Sabbath  days."  Rev.  Jason  Perkins  came 
May  29th,  1802,  and  staid  one  year  and  six  months.    Rev.  John 


TOWN    OP   PATTERSON.  659 

McNeice  commenced  labor  here  in  November,  1803,  and 
preached  till  1808.  The  elders  at  that  time  were  Nathan  Dong- 
lass,  John  Hayt,  Elijah  Dean,  Benjamin  Benedict  and  Matthew 
Paterson. 

In  May,  1808,  Rev.  Herman  Daggett  was  invited  to  preach  for 
a  few  Sabbaths,  and  on  June  1st  he  was  engaged  for  a  year. 
March  22d,  1809,  he  was  again  engaged  "for  two  years  from 
thd  first  of  June  next."  August  25th,  1811,  Mr.  Daggett  was 
engaged  for  another  year,  and  the  record  of  his  service  here 
ends  August  9th,  1813.  For  most  of  the  facts  given  above,  we 
are  indebted  to  a  brief  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  church, 
written  by  Mr.  Daggett,  and  which  is  now  in  one  of  the  church 
books.  During  the  year  1818,  services  were  held  by  Rev.  John 
Clark  and  Rev.  Elisha  Price,  but  the  session  were  censured  by 
the  Presbytery  for  "  employing  a  minister  as  moderator  of  their 
meetings,  who  was  not  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church." 
Rev.  John  Johnston  came  here  in  Se]3tember,  1820,  and  Rev. 
E.  M.  McLaughlin  came  June  8th,  1822,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  M.  Quin,  March  2d,  1823.  In  this  case  the  session  was 
again  censured  for  employing  "  one  who  had  no  ofiice  in  the 
church." 

On  the  25th  of  January,  1827,  Rev.  Epenetus  P.  Benedict 
began  a  ministry  which  ended  only  with  his  life.  He  was  born 
at  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  and  in  early  life  was  intended  for  secular 
pursuits.  He  was  a  silversmith  by  trade,  and  went  to  one  of 
the  Southern  States  and  engaged  in  business.  His  property 
having  been  destroyed  by  fire,  he  came  north  and  studied  for 
the  ministry  and  his  first  and  only  pastorate  was  at  Patterson. 
He  purchased  the  place  east  of  the  church,  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Henry  Tucker,  and  in  addition  to  his  ministerial  duties,  he  con- 
ducted a  private  school  which  was  well  attended,  and  many  of 
the  present  generation  remember  him  as  a  teacher.  After  a  life 
of  great  usefulness  and  a  pastorate  of  forty  years,  Mr.  Bene- 
dict passed  to  his  reward,  August  15th,  1870,  aged  74.  He  was 
succeeded  in  the  pastorate  by  Rev.  Nathan  M.  Sherwood,  who 
came  to  this  place  from  Fishkill,  in  1866.  He  remained  two 
years,  and  is  now  pastor  at  Washingtonville,  near  Newburgh. 
Rev.  James  Baird  became  pastor  in  April,  1868,  and  remained 
till  November  1st,  1877.  Rev.  Isaac  L.  Kipp,  the  present  pas- 
tor, was  born  in  New  York,  and  was  educated  at  the  Reformed 
Church  Seminary,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.     He  was  ordained  in 


660  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

1861,  and  preached  at  East  Williamsburg,  L.  I.,  and  during  the 
war  was  chaplain  of  the  159th  Regiment.    He  was  subsequently 
pastor  of  the  Reformed  churches  at  Stuyvesant  Palls,  Schodac 
Landing,  and  Peekskill.     His  labors,  in  Patterson  began  in  Oc 
tober,  1879,  and  he  was  installed  pastor  in  June,  1881. 

The  second  church,  built  in  1794,  was  not  finished  till  several 
years  later,  as  appears  by  the  following: 

"Whereas  it  appears  by  the  statement  of  the  Committee  that 
superintends  the  business  of  finishing  the  meeting  house  in 
Franklin,  that  there  is  not  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  signed  to 
complete  the  said  house,  and  it  appears  necessary  to  have  the 
breast  work  and  front  seats  of  the  upper  part  of  the  meeting 
house  finished.  We,  the  young  men  of  the  town  of  Franklin, 
and  others  do  promise  to  pay  to  Elijah  Wheeler,  John  Hayt, 
Stephen  Hurlburt,  Elijah  Dean,  John  Towner,  Agur  Beach  or 
James  Phillips,  the  Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Society,  the 
several  sums  annexed.  April  20th,  1807:  Stephen  Delavan,  8s.; 
Seymour  Wolsey,  10s.;  Alex.  K.  Paterson,  12s.;  Stephen  Bene- 
dict, 12s.;  Nathan  Sturges,  12s.;  Ebenezer  Weed,  8s.;  John 
Philips,  8s.;  Charles  Burch,  8s.;  John  Jennings,  8s.;  Nathaniel 
Newman,  12s.;  Benoni  Stebbens,  8s." 

The  present  church  edifice,  which  stands  a  short  distance  east 
of  the  former  one,  was  built  in  1836,  and  is  an  elegant  and  com- 
modious building. 

List  of  early  members  of  the  Church:  Matthew  Paterson, 
John  Hayt,  Stephen  Hurlburt,  Aaron  Coe,  Enoch  Lewis,  Agur 
Beach,  Elijah  Wheeler,  Humphry  Ogden,  Prince  Howes,  Joseph 
Sherwood,  Elijah  Dean,  Lewis  Stebbens,  Nathan  Douglass,  John 
McLean,  Abijah  Starr,  Benjamin  Benedict,  Simeon  Clinton, 
Anna  Lewis,  Mary  Baker,  Sally  Osborn,  Susanna  Howes,  Mary 
Howes,  Ruth  A.  Coe,  James  Stebbins,  Elizabeth  Dayton,  Pru- 
dence Hayt,  Mary  Wheeler,  Peggy  McLean,  Mindwell  Starr, 
Mary  Hoag,  Elizabeth  Benedict,  Stiles  Peet,  LydiaPeet,  Austin 
Coe,  Enoch  Abbott,  Epenetus  Crosby,  Samuel  Hayt,  Ebenezer 
Weed,  Naomi  Burch,  Isaac  Jones,  Ebenezer  Penney,  James  B. 
Clinton,  Rufus  Fancher,  Alex.  Mooney  and  Noah  Howes. 

Number  of  Members  in  1811,  34;  in  1812,  32;  in  1814,  30;  in 
1822,  66;  in  1885,  85. 

Marriages,  1808.— Alva  Gregory,  Polly  Delavan,  July  21st; 
Seth  Abbott,  Huldah  Towner,  Nov.  18th.  1809.— Henry  Jones, 
Nancy  Lookwood,  Feb.  5th;  Samuel  Lyons,  Rosalind  Fowler, 


TOWN   OF   PATTERSON.  661 

Feb.  23d.;  Andrew  Fraser,  Grrace  A.  Lockyer,  April  23d; 
James  Burhus,  Batbsheba  Foster,  June  1st;  Ebenezer  Weed, 
Patty  Beechgood,  Dec.  7th.  1810.— John  Hinman,  Sally  Mabie, 
Oct.  4th;  John  G-.  Haviland,  Betsy  Beech,  Dec.  5th.  1812.— 
Abner  Marshall,  Sally  Burch,  March  18th;  James  Bashford, 
Sophia  Newberry,  March  19th;  Moses  Peck,  Betsy  Dean,  March 
26th;  Orrin  Cowl,  Wealthy  Roberts,  April  11th;  David  Cook, 
Mary  Ogden,  May  12th;  John  Hayt,  Polly  Towner,  May  23d; 
Thomas  Sweet,  Polly  Taylor,  July  28th;  Henry  Harrison,  Polly 
Jones,  July  29th;  William  Watts,  Sally  Brown,  Aug.  23d; 
Nicholas  Haight,  Elizabeth  Grant,  Sept.  23d;  Frederick 
Richards,  Sally  Stebbins,  Nov.  23d;  Asa  Church,  Catharine 
Hayt,  Dec.  12th.  1811.— William  Dean,  Elizabeth  Hoag,  Jan. 
1st;  Samuel  Lane,  Elizabeth  Haviland,  Feb.  7th.  1813.— Miles 
Peck,  Rebecca  Dean,  March  20th.  1814.— Joel  Norton,  Sophia 
Avery,  Jan.  24th;  Archibald  Newberry,  Dianthe  Crosby. 

Deaths  of  early  members. — James  Sturges,  July  16th,.  1808; 
Humphry  Ogden,  May  14th,  1808;  John  B.  Lawrence,  1808; 
Matthew  C.  G.  Paterson,  Nov.  23d,  1809;  Abigail  Clinton, 
March  4th,  1810;  Josiah  Jones,  Aug.  6th,  1810;  Abner  Osborn, 
May  ]9th,  1811;  Lewis  Roberts,  April  9th,  1812;  Elijah  Stone, 
April  19th,  1812;  Aaron  Coe,  April  19th,  1812;  Isaac  Crosby, 
June  5th,  1812;  Timothy  Delavan,  Jan.  19th,  1813;  Ebenezer 
Palmer,  April  10th,  1813. 

Among  the  benefactors  of  the  church,  mention  should  be 
made  of  Noah  B.  Knapp.  Mr.  Knapp,  who  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  was  extensively  engaged  in  business  in  the  South, 
but  was  accustomed  to  spend  his  summers  in  Patterson.  He 
took  a  lively  interest  in  the  welfare  of  this  church  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death  (which  occurred  January  19th,  1879,  at  the  age  of 
73)  he  bequeathed  to  it  the  sum  of  $5,000,  which  is  securely  in- 
vested by  the  trustees.  Mr.  James  B.  Paterson  also  left  a  con- 
siderable sum  of  money  to  the  church,  and  the  use  of  a  house  for 
a  parsonage  during  the  continuance  of  Rev.  Mr.  Baird  as  min- 
ister. Mr.  Paterson' s  charitable  intentions  were  frustrated  by 
a  contest  which  resulted  in  abrogating  the  will,  but  the  loss  was 
partially  made  up  through  the  liberality  of  some  members  of 
the  family  residing  in  this  place. 

The  oldest  document  which  has  been  found,  written  by  any 
minister  in  this  town,  is  the  following: 

"  These  may  certify  whom  it  may  Concern  that  Jesse  Warner, 


662  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

of  Fredericksburg,  and  Sarali  Seeley  of  the  same  Place,  were 
Lawfully  Married  by  me,  Blackleach  Burritt,  Minister  of  the 
Gospel,  in  ,the  ajbove  named  Fredericksburg,  in  the  State  of 
New  York  April  2nd,  A.  D.,  1784." 

On  the  back  of  this,  though  in  a  very  different  hand-writing, 
are  the  words  "A  Sartifekit." 

Baptist  Church. — On  Erskine's  military  map,  made  about 
1780,  the  Baptist  meeting  house  is  laid  down  near  Fredericks- 
burg. This  church,  the  date  of  whose  building  is  unknown, 
stood  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  from  Patterson  to  Carmel, 
about  half  a  mile  west  of  where  the  Mill  Brook  crosses  it  and 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  present  church  at  Towner's 
Four  Corners.  Opposite  the  site  of  this  old  church,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  road,  is  an  ancient  burying  ground,  the  sur- 
face of  which  is  thickly  studded  with  rough  stones  which  mark 
graves,  the  names  of  whose  occupants  have  long  since  passed 
into  oblivion.  This  is  beyond  doubt  the  oldest  burying  ground 
in  the  town.  It  is  on  land  now  owned  by  Mr.  Isaac  P.  Rogers, 
and  it  would  be  a  credit  to  the  village  to  have  this  spot  enclosed 
with  a  suitable  fence  and  protected  from  desecration.  A  few 
tombstones  bear  inscriptions,  from  which  are  copied  the  fol- 
lowing dates: 

Ededey  Newberry,  died  May  12th,  1818,  aged  75  years;  Ruth, 
wife.  April  18th,  1818,  aged  72;  Susannah  Warden,  Oct.  27th, 
1820,  aged. 4;  Polly  M.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Abigail  Wat- 
kins,  March  15th,  1821,  aged  15;  Nathan  Sturges,  May  18th, 
1784,  aged  38;  Eliza,  dau.  of  Moses  and  Betsy  Fisher,  April 
14th,  1828,  aged  16;  Mary,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  and  Lydia  Fisher, 
June  11th,  1828,  aged  10;  Joshua  Griffiths,  Aug.  22d,  1818,  aged 
56;  Esther,  wife  of  Jonathan  Squires,  March  22d,  1814,  aged  51; 
Jemima,  wife  of  Roswell  Wilcox,  Aug.  21st,  1773;  Margaret  C, 
dau.  of  Philip  and  Glorianna  Pell,  Nov.  22d,  1779,  aged  21; 
Mary,  wife  of  Philip  Pell,  Aug.  15th,  1781,  aged  27;  Sarah,  wife 
of  Enoch  Lewis,  Nov.  22d,  1787,  aged  40. 

Of  the  pastors  who  preached  in  this  ancient  church,  and  of 
the  people  who  assembled  there,  no  records  remain.  The  church 
was  constituted  December  1st,  1790,  as  the  Second  Baptist 
Church  of  Frederickstown,  with  30  members,  and  having  as  a 
teacher.  Elder  Enoch  Ferris,  who  remained  till  November  2Bd, 
1793,  having  baptized  23  persons.  The  church  was  incorporated 
September  15  th,  1794,  when  Heman  King,  Joseph  Truesdell,  and 


TOWN    OF   PATTERSON.  663 

Roswell  Wilcox  were  elected  trustees.  The  cliurch  appears  to 
have  been  in  a  low  state,  and  without  a  pastor  till  May,  1795, 
when  Elder  Simeon  Smith  was  called,  but  no  record  is  found  of 
his  dismissal.  In  September,  1795,  a  request  was  sent  to  the 
surrounding  churches  "  to  send  their  Elders  to  preach  as  oft  as 
they  can,"  and  on  December  21st,  1797,  Brother  Moses  Phin- 
amber  agreed  to  preach  half  the  time  during  the  winter,  and 
about  this  time  the  name  was  changed  to  "Franklin  Baptist 
Church."  Till  1806,  very  little  is  recorded,  the  church  being 
supplied  a  part  of  the  time  by  Elders  Luman  Burch,  Sturdevanfc 
and  Ferris.  A  small  manuscript  book  among  the  church  papers 
contains  notices  of  church  meetings,  held  mostly  at  the  house  of 
Heman  King,in  the  town  of  Southeast.  The  following  is  a  sample: 

"  Southeast,  Feb.  18th,  1804.  At  a  church  meeting  held  at 
the  house  of  Caleb  Fowler,  after  singing  and  prayer,  1st,  Elder 
Ferris  chosen  Moderator  and  Wm.  Townsend,  Clerk.  2rid,  the 
Church  examined  and  found  standing  fast,  in  the  Faith,  and  in 
union  one  with  another.  3rd,  Sally  Hiat  gave  a  relation  of  her 
experience  of  a  work  of  grace  in  her  heart  to  satisfaction.  4th, 
Bro.  Heman  King  appointed  to  provide  for  the  Lord's  Table,  in 
this  part  of  the  Church.     Closed  by  Prayer." 

The  following  persons  appear  to  have  been  connected  with 
the  church:  Sally  Hiat,  Heman  King,  James  Townsend,  Polly 
Hiat,  Caleb  Fowler,  Daniel  Baldwin,  Jane  Drew,  Abner  Osborn, 
Sylvester  Ferris,  Rhoda  Ferris,  Hezekiah  Rowland,  Edmund 
Fowler,  Jonathan  Fowler. 

Tradition  states  that  the  old  church  near  Patterson  was 
moved  down  to  the  place  where  the  present  church  stands,  at 
Towner's  Four  Corners,  about  1812,  and  was  enlarged.  From 
1812  to  1818,  Elders  St.  John,  Adams  and  Warren  served  at  in- 
tervals, the  church  having  no  regular  pastor.  Under  Elder 
Warren,  a  revival  largely  increased  the  membership.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1832,  Rev.  John  Mitchell  was  ordained  pastor  and  con- 
tinued one  year.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elder  N.  Robinson.  In 
1836,  the  old  meeting  house  was  replaced  by  a  new  one  on  the 
same  site,  the  church  being  dedicated  in  March,  and  a  protracted 
meeting  was  held  which  resulted  in  adding  twenty-five  per- 
sons to  the  church.  TVie  successive  pastors  were:  Elder  Higbee, 
1838:  E.  C.  Ambler,  1840;  John  C.  Hart,  1841;  Daniel  W.  Sher- 
wood, 1844;  E.  C.  Ambler,  1847.  From  1842  to  1853,  the  church 
was  not  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  few  were  added  to 


664  HISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

its  fold.  In  1850,  Elder  S.  M.  Mack  was  pastor  and  Elder  G.  F. 
Hendrickson,  in  1853.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Joseph  Bab- 
bage,  who  came  in  1858  and  staid  two  years  when  Elder  A. 
W.  Valentine  was  settled  and  remained  till  1869,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  0.  C.  Kirkham,  who  staid  seven  years.  Rev.  A. 
O.  Bronson  then  took  charge  and  remained  three  years.  The 
preeent  pastor,  Eev.  Matthew  Johnston,  came  in  1879,  having 
previously  preached  in  Dutchess  county. 

A  new  edifice,  which  stands  on  the  site  of  the  old  church, 
was  dedicated  October  16th,  1867.  It  stands  on  the  summit  of 
a  ridge,  where  a  bed  of  magnesian  limestone  comes  to  the  sur- 
face. From  this  fact  it  is  sometimes  called  the  "  Rock  Church." 
The  lot  was  probably  given  or  sold  by  Samuel  Towner,  who 
owned  all  the  land  for  a  wide  distance  round.  The  burying 
ground  lot,  opposite  the  church,  was  given  to  the  trustees  by 
John  Towner,  April  2d,  1828.  A  portion  of  it  had  been  used 
for  a  family  burying  ground  for  several  years  previous.  The 
following  dates  of  the  deaths  of  the  heads  of  families  are 
.  copied  from  tombstomes: 

Samuel  Towner,  died  April  1st,  1814,  age  70;  Mary,  wife, 
Oct.  8th,  1827,  80;  John  Towner,  Oct.  9th,  1865,  86;  Jane,  wife, 
April  22d,  1852,  68;  Benjamin  Yale,  Oct.  25th,  1854,  71;  Abigail 
D.  Crosby,  Sept.   28th,   1869,   80;    Elisha   Dykman,  May   20th, 

1881,  82;  Elisha  Dykman,  Aug.  4th,  1871,  75;  Peter  Dykman, 
May  16th,  1840,  71;  Fanny,  wife,  Jan.  8th,  1856,  71;  James 
Baldwin,  Sept.  6th,  1827,  67;  Chapman  Lee,  born  1788,  died 
1876;  Laura,  wife,  born  1800,  died  1869;  Nathaniel  Howland, 
Jan.  2d,  1840,  82;  Margaret,  wife,  Sept.  24th,  1838,  70;  Hiram 
Knapp,  Dec.  23d,  1871,  63;  Sarah  Kent,  wife,  March  10th,  1879, 
74;  John  Sunderliu,  Aug.  30th,  1817,  45;  Joshua  Mabie,  May 
30th,  1854,  84;  Elizabeth,  wife.  May  7th,  1836,  60;  Dr.  Elisha 
G.  Mabie,  April  19th,  1836,  28;  Samuel  Mabie,  Dec.  13th,  1851, 
53;  James  Baldwin,  April  13th,  1865,  71:  Elizabeth,  wife  of 
Joseph  Dykman,  1831,  87;  Samuel  Mabie,  Oct.  14th,  1856,  84; 
Ruth,  wife,  Nov.  9th,  1868,  84;  Benjamin  Haviland,  May  20th, 

1882,  77;  James  Towner,  Sept.  14th,'  1870,  87;  Mary,  wife,  Sept. 
1st,  1849,  65;  Daniel  Baldwin,  Jan.  25th,  1874,  90;  Elisha  Brown, 
July  14th,  1854,  91;  Edmund  Haines,  June  28th,  1872,  87;  Sarah 
Kent,  Feb.  9th,  1871,  84;  Moses  C.  Robinson,  June  8th,  1847, 
63;  Samuel  Towner,  Aug.  29th,  1884,  78;  Laura  Kent,  March 
11th,  1871,63;  Samuel  Kent,  Oct.  9th,  1875,64;  David  Kent,  April 


TOWN    OF    PATTERSON.  665 

9th,  1870,  77;  Daniel  Kent,  June  1st,  1860,  77;  Margaret  Kent, 
June  4th,  1869,  77;  Peter  S.  Kent,  May  24th,  1857,  81;  Elihu 
Kent,  Sept.  17th,  1807,  58;  Abigail,  wife,  May  21st,  1821,  82; 
Isaac  Dykman,  Jan.  16th,  1872,  83. 

Christ  Church.— This  church  is  said  to  have  been  founded 
in  1770,  but  its  history  previous  to  the  time  of  its  incorporation 
is  almost  a  blank.  The  land  around  it  was  sold  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  forfeitures,  in  1782,  to  one  John  Rosekrans,  but  the 
Episcopal  church,  and  one-half  acre  for  a  burying  ground  were 
reserved  "out  of  the  survey."  The  lot  was  undoubtedly  given 
or  leased  by  Beverly  Robinson,  the  original  owner  of  all  the 
country  round.  July  5th,  1797,  a  meeting  was  held,  notice 
having  been  given  by  Rev.  Robert  Gr.  Wetmore,  and  the  follow- 
ing persons  were  elected  officers:  Uriah  Mitchell  and  Darius 
Stone,  wardens;  Dr.  Richard  S.  Bryant,  James  Kellogg,  John 
Paterson,  Samuel  Cornwall,  Nathan  Palmer,  Archibald  Camp- 
bell, Jacob  Haviland  and  Benjamin  Brooks,  vestrymen.  It  was 
then  and  there  resolved  that  the  members  aforesaid,  so  elected 
and  their  successoi's,  should  be  called  and  known  forever  there- 
after by  the  name  or  style  of  the  "  Wardens  &  Vestry  of  Chiist 
Church,  Franklin,  Dutchess  County."  Elijah  Stone  was  secre- 
tary and  Uriah  Mitchell  and  Archibald  Campbell  were  chosen 
to  represent  the  church  at  the  convocation,  in  New  York. 

January  14th,  1798,  a  meeting  was  held,  "  to  propose  a  union 
with  the  church  at  Beekman's,  and  to  make  arrangements  for 
alternate  services  by  a  Clergyman  of  the  Church."  In  1803, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Presbyterian  so- 
ciety about  the  burying  ground.  This  committee  was  continued 
from  year  to  year  for  several  years.  In  1816,  a  commitree  was 
appointed  "  to  take  care  of  the  timber  of  the  old  church,  and 
of  the  land  belonging  to  the  said  church."  This  would  indi- 
cate that  a  new  church  had  been  built  a  year  or  so  previous. 

For  a  period  of  many  years  there  are  no  records  and  the  affairs 
of  the  parish  seem  to  have  been  utterly  neglected,  and  there 
appear  to  have  been  no  services  for  a  number  of  years.  About 
1809  occasional  services  were  held  by  Rev.  George  B.  Andrews, 
and  subsequently  by  Rev.  Hiram  Jeliffe.  In  1835,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  at  the  house  of  John  Jennings,  Rev.  Alexander  Eraser 
was  chairman,  and  it  was  voted  to  build  a  new  church  on  the 
site  of  the  old  one.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  procure 
subscriptions  to  the  amount  of  $1,100.     Trinitj'  Church  gave 


HISTORY   OF  PUTNA3[   COUNTY. 

a  donation  of  §750,  Frederick  Stone  $150,  Jolin  Jennings  §100, 
and  others  lesser  snms.  The  church  was  finished  and  dedi- 
cated June  16th,  1837.  In  18B6  Benjamin  Evans  came  as  a  lay- 
reader,  by  appointment  of  the  bishop.  In  1836  the  communi- 
cants were  John  Jennings  and  wife,  Cornelius  Dean,  Mrs.  Tur- 
ner, Alexander  Murray  and  wife,  Mrs.  Reed,  Abigail  Ingersoll, 
Catherine  Townsend,  Elizabeth  Hayt  and  Moses  Beach.  From 
1836  to  1840  ten  were  added,  six  I'emoved  and  one  died.  The 
rectors  from  that  time  to  1865  were:  Rev.  Sheldon  Davis, 
April  1st,  1840,  to  October  1st.  1841;  Rev.  Alfred  M.  Loutrel, 
Nov.,  1841,  to  March  28th,  1842;  Rev.  Albert  P.  Smith,  July 
16th,  1842,  to  Aug.,  1846;  Rev.  Orsimus  H.  Smith,  Aug.  6th, 
1848,  to  Dec.  1st,  1850;  Rev.  Sheldon  Davis,  April  20th,  1851, 
to  1854;  Rev.  John  Dowdney,  Nov.,  1854,  to  1855,  also  1860  to 
1862;  Rev.  William  Wood,  Missionary,  1862-3;  Rev.  John 
Dowdney,  Sept.  19th,  1864,  to  Oct.  2d,  1865. 

At  this  time  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  subscriptions 
for  the  support  of  services,  and  Richard  S.  Hayt  was  appointed 
clerk  of  the  parish.  Rev.  Benjamin  Evans  was  here  for  awhile 
and  resigned  in  October,  1870;  Rev.  Wilberforce  Wells,  1874. 
Rev.  Matthew  Bailey  of  Kent  began  services  in  1877  and  was 
chosen  rector  in  April,  1879. 

Rev.  A.  A.  Morrison,  a  lay  reader,  was  the  next  in  charge, 
and  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Frank  Hatfield,  who  officiated 
in  conjunction  with  the  church  at  Brewster.  The  present  pastor 
is  Rev.  Mr.  Sutcliffe,  rector  of  the  church  at  Brewster,  and  ser- 
vices are  held  in  the  afternoon  of  every  Sabbath. 

In  1862  a  bequest  of  $600  was  left  to  the  church  by  Mr.  John 
Jennings,  who  was  for  many  years  an  active  member. 

Dates  from  'the  tombstones  in  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian 
churchyards,  Patterson:  Thomas  Fleming,  died  Oct.  22d,  1792, 
age  47;  Helen,  wife,  Oct.  11th,  1830,  83;  James  G-rant,  April 
25th,  1796,  69;  Christina,  wife,  May  4th,  1838,  76;  Robert  Grant, 
April  27th,  1830,  40;  Asa  Hoag,  Aug.  10th,  1828,  63;  Dr.  James 
Delavan,  Nov.  10th,  1823,  57;  Mercy,  wife,  Dec.  18th,  1857,  91; 
Nathaniel  Delavan,  Aug.  9th,  1798,  52;  Andrew  Erase,  Jan.  7th, 
1835,  85;  Grace  Ann,  wife,  Nov.  14th,  1847,  72;  Jesse  Abbott, 
March  7th,  1865,  73;  Hannah,  wife,  Jan.  7th,  1863,  62;  Enoch 
Abbott,  Sept.  10th,  1823,  71;  Molly,  wife,  Sept.  18th,  1853,  95; 
Electa  H.  Delavan,  April  27th,  1877,  82;  John  N.  Vail,  Dec. 
21st,  1816,  31;  Timothy  Delavan,    Jan.   19th,  1813,   71;  Samuel 


TOWN   OF  PATTERSON.  667 

Cornwall,  July  17th,  1801,  42;  Martha,  wife,  Feb.  26th,  1846,  81; 
Matthew  Paterson,  Oct.  9th,  1799,  23;  Matthew  C.  G.  Paterson, 
Nov.  23d,  1809,  18;  Abigail  Thorpe,  March  8th,  1816,  70;  Eliza- 
beth Haight,  Jan.  25th,  1848,  68;  John  Paterson,  Nov.  21st., 
1821,  58;  Rhoda  Mooney,  Sept.,  1862,  67;  Austin  B.  Coe,  Jan. 
26th,  1836,  52;  Susan,  wife,  March  14th,  1870,  75;  Stephen 
Hayt,  Sept.  17th,  1834,  75;  Hannah,  wife,  Jan.  23d,  1843,  80; 
David  Hayt,  April  2d,  1849,  53;  Elizabeth  Hayt,  Sept.  22d,  1835, 
96;  Mary  Hayt,  April  27th,  1849,  53;  Heman  Hayt,  Feb.  11th, 
1852,  93;  John  Hayt,  July  18th,  1835,  75;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Oct. 
6th,  1845,  73;  Sarah  Hayt,  Sept.  3d,  1852,  56;  Eli  Bush,  Nov. 
11th,  1835,  79;  Edward  Turner,  May  12th,  1872,  82;  Samuel 
Hayt,  July  30th,  1850,  84;  Sarah,  wife,  Jan.  2d,  1829,  59;  Re- 
becca, wife,  April  18th,  1843,  61;  Cyrus  Boyd,  Jan.  29th,  1879, 
64;  Ruth,  wife  of  Tho.  Mitchell,  1853,  35;  John  Turner,  1814,  68; 
Abigail,  wife,  1836,  83;  Edward  Turner,  jr.,  1872,  82;  John 
Holmes,  1839,  86;  Catharine  Holmes,  1840,  90;  John  Holmes,  jr., 
1862,  79;  Rachel  Holmes,  1862,  70;  Daniel  Haines,  1854,  84; 
Ada,  wife,  1857,  69;  Sarah,  wife  of  Stephen  Hurlburt,  1797,  43; 
Eunice,  wife  of  Daniel  Cook,  1830,  61;  Benjamin  Cowl,  1851,  88; 
Elizabeth,  wife,  1843,  71;  William  Cowl,  1852,  70;  Lydia,  wife, 
1864,  70;  Hezekiah  Couch,  1864,  74:  Levi  Clinton,  1860,  68; 
Susannah,  wife,  1865,  79;  Aaron  Coe,  1812,  89;  Ruth  Ann,  wife, 
1836,  78;  Samuel  Burch,  1845,  78;  Mary,  wife,  1841,  67;  Com- 
fort Benedict,  1835,  86;  Eli  Brush,  1835,  79;  Benj.  Bowne,  1873, 
74;  Samuel  Burch,  1853,  68;  Benjamin  Benedict,  1832,  88;  Eliz- 
abeth, wife,  1839,  80;  J.  Sterling  Beach,  1874,  73;  Abram  Bird- 
sail,  1856,  60;  Elijah  Dean,  1836,  80;  Ann,  wife,  1855,  93;  El- 
kanah  Eastwood,  75;  Alfred  Ellsworth,  1879,  72;  David  C. 
Delavan,  1883,  81;  Dr.  Ebenezer  Fletcher,  1852,  72;  Mary,  wife, 
1851,  74;  Alson  Ferguson,  1879,  83;  Thomas  Gibson,  1858,  93; 
Margaret,  wife,  88;  Thankful  Hayt,  1881,  86;  John  Jennings, 
1796,  80;  Ezra  Jennings,  1802,  56;  John  Jennings,  1869,  86;  Capt. 
Alexander  Kidd,  1806,  78;  Sophia,  wife,  1802,  70;  John  B.  Law- 
rence, 1809,  26;  David  H.  Lawrence,  1872,  68;  Henry  Ludington, 
1817,  78;  Abigail,  wife,  1825,  80;  Derick  Ludington,  1840,  69; 
Sibbell  Edward  Ogden,  1839,  77;  Joseph  Merritt,  1851,  68;  Es- 
ther, wife,  1879,  80;  John  McLean,  1819,  90;  Margaret,  wife,  1816, 
77;  Locklan  McLean,  1850,  76;  Violet  Morrison,  1812,  66;  Albert 
Nickerson,  1852,  54;  Nathaniel  Newman,  1794,  71;  Martha,  wife, 
1811,  75;  Capt.  Abner  Osborn,  1811,  82;  Rebecca,  wife,  1804,  64; 


668  HISTORY    OF  PLTXAM   COUXTT. 

Nathan  Palmer,  1828,  78;  Deborah,  wife,  18-29,  78;  Matthew 
Patterson,  1817,  85;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Alex.  K.  Paterson,  1815, 
40:  Ebenezer  Palmer,  1813,  70;  Elizabeth,  wife,  104  years,  7 
months,  28  days;  Lewis  Patrick,  1871,  72\  Benjamin  Pugsley. 
1864,  80:  Polly,  wife,  1843,  56;  Stiles  Peet,  1832,  68:  Lydia, 
wife,  1817,  51;  William  St.  John,  78;  Darins  Stone,  1819,  70; 
Elijah  Stone,  1812,  58;  Frederick  Stone,  1857,  72;  Horace 
Smith,  1846,  48;  Samuel  Stephens,  1850,  88;  Abijah  Starr,  1839, 
95:  Mindwell,  wife,  1846.  88:  Josiah  Starr,  1875,  88;  Samuel 
Stebbins,  1828,  66;  Nathaniel  Warden,  1807,  72;  Sarah,  wife, 
1826,  92;  Dr.  Stephen  Warden,  1848,  68;  Justus  Weed,  1819, 
77;  Sarah,  wife,  1831,  86;  Ebenezer  Weed,  1845,  68;  Sarah,  wife, 
1864,  71;  Esther  Yale,  1876,  84. 

QrAKER  Meetixo  House.— At  an  early  period,  several  fami- 
lies belonging  to  the  Society  of  Friends  settled  on  the  Oblong- 
The  number  which  settled  in  the  town  of  Pawling,  just  north 
of  Putnam  county  line,  was  so  great  that  the  locality  soon 
gained  the  name  of  Quaker  Hill,  which  it  still  bears.  The  first 
of  this  sect,  who  made  his  home  in  this  county  was  Samuel 
Field,  who  owned  Lot  5,  on  the  Oblong,  and  settled  thereabout 
1730.  The  records  of  the  meetings  on  Quaker  Hill,  from  1757, 
are  now  in  the  care  of  Mr.  David  Wing,  in  the  town  of  Paw- 
ling, who  lives  on  the  same  lot  .on  the  Oblong,  where  his  great- 
grandfather, Jedediah  Wing,  settled  in  the  middle  of  the  last 
century.  In  looking  over  these  venerable  records,  we  see  fre- 
quent mention  of  names  that  are  familiar  to  our  older  resi- 
dents.    From  these  we  copy  the  following: 

"Friends  recommended  from  monthly  meetings  at  Hampton, 
to  our  Society,  the  19th  day  of  the  10th  month,  1758.  John 
Hoag,  Sen.,  John  Hoag,  Jr.,  Abbie  Hoag,  Benj.  Hoag,  Samuel 
Hunt,  John  Hoyt,  Samuel  Yeomans." 

1760.  "At  the  meeting  it  is  concluded  that  a  meeting  for 
worship,  shall  be  kept  one  week,  at  Samuel  Field's,  and  another 
at  David  Palmer's,  so  long  as  shall  appear  to  this  meeting,  con- 
Tenient." 

"  The  meeting  appoint  Benj.  Ferris,  David  Hoag,  Timothy 
Dakin  and  Nehemiah  Merritt,  to  visit  the  meeting  at  Peach 
Pond,  and  consider  whether  it  will  not  be  convenient  and  for 
the  love  of  truth,  to  have  a  meeting  settled  in  that  neighbor- 
hood, and  a  meeting  house  of  their  own.'" 

This  was  done  in  1760,  and  shows  at  what  time  the  Quaker 


TOWN    01'   PATTERSON.  669 

meeting  house  near  Peach  Pond  was  built.  Among  the  Quaker 
families  who  settled  on  that  portion  of  the  Oblong  which  lies 
in  Putnam  county,  were  the  Havilands,  of  Haviland  Hollow. 
Of  these,  Daniel  Haviland  was  a  preacher  of  the  sect,  and 
esteemed  as  an  able  and  worthy  man.  To  establish  a  meeting 
house  in  their  neighborhood,  Daniel  Haviland  and  his  brother 
gave  a  lot  of  land  for  the  purpose,  The  deed  is  recorded  in  the 
record  books  of  the  Friends  Society,  on  Quaker  Hill,  and  it  is 
given  in  abstract; 

"I,  David  Haviland  of  Southeast  Precinct,  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  love  and  affection  I  bear  to  my  Friends,  the 
Society  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  do  give  to  Reed  Ferris  & 
Wing  Kelly,  of  Pawlings  Precinct;  Elnathan  Sweet  &  Joseph 
Lancaster  of  Beekman  Precinct;  and  Benj.  Ferris  of  New  Fair- 
field; Joseph  Irish  and  Edward  Shoone,  as  trustees,  a  certain 
tract  or  parcel  of  land,  being  in  the  Southeast  Precinct,  being 
part  of  Lot  No.  16,  on  the  Oblong.  Butting  and  bounding  as 
follows:  Beginning  at  a  place,  by  the  west  side  of  the  house, 
where  Nathaniel  Covil  now  lives,  and  in  Roger  Haviland' s  line, 
then  running  Westerly  5  chains  72  links  in  Roger  Haviland' s 
line,  then  running  southerly  29  degrees  East  6  chains  45  links, 
to  a  stake  and  heap  of  stones,  thence  running  north  26  degrees 
East  5  chains  25  links  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Containing  1 
acre  and  70  rods."     Dated  the  12th  day  of  August,  1782. 

On  the  4th  day  of  August,  1782,  Roger  Haviland  gave  to  the 
same  persons,  as  trustees,  a  tract  of  land  "Beginning  at  a  place 
by  the  house  where  Nathaniel  Covil  now  lives,  and  in  Daniel 
Haviland' s  liije,  thence  running  North  26  degrees  East  1  chain 
to  a  heap  of  stones  on  a  flat  rock  on  the  south  side  of  the  high- 
way, thence  North  29  degrees  West,  4  chains  to  a  white  oak 
stump  and  stones  piled  to  it,  then  West  19  degrees  South,  4 
chains  25  links  to  a  small  white  oak  tree  by  the  south  side  of 
the  highway,  then  South  29  degrees  East  80  links,  then  Easterly 
in  Daniel  Haviland' s  line  5  chains  72  links,  to  the  beginning, 
containing  1  acre  and  30  rods  exclusive  of  highway."  It  is 
upon  this  tract  that  the  meeting  house  and-  burying  ground  in 
Haviland  Hollow  are  located,  and  are  on  the  road  that  runs  south 
from  Quaker  Brook,  down  the  middle  of  the  Oblong,  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  below  the  stream.  This  neighborhood 
is  always  mentioned  in  the  Quaker  records  as  "  The  Valley." 

April  14th,  1783,  "  The  Friends  appointed  as  trustees  to  build 


670 


HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 


the  meeting  house  in  the  Valley,  report  that  they  are  proceeded 
to  build  said  meeting  house,  and  have  expended  £73,  Is.  lid., 
toward  which  is  raised,  £54,  12s.,  and  it  is  concluded  that  it  will 
cost  to  finish  said  house  £120,  including  what  is  already  ex- 
pended; so  that  it  appears  there  is  wanting  £65,  8s.  to  finish 
the  house  with.     The  meeting  concurs  with  the  report." 

The  Quaker  families  have  almost  vanished  from  this  portion 
of  the  Oblong.  The  meeting  house  still  stands,  a  venerable 
relic  of  the  olden  time,  but  no  seekers  after  the  truth  and  the 
"inward  light"  gather  within  its  walls  upon  "  First  day."  A 
yearly  meeting  is  sometimes  held  by  a  few  who  come  from 
other  neighborhoods,  and  that  is  all  there  is  to  remind  us  of 
the  early  days,  of  the  garb,  and  the  manner  of  the  Friends;  and 
we  fear,  in  too  many  cases,  their  morals  as  well,  are  no  longer 
to  be  found.  It  reminds  us  of  a  pathetic  passage  in  the  journal 
of  Friend  Job  Scott. 

"  15th  of  8th,  1784.  We  were  again  at  Peach  Pond  meeting, 
where  we  found  very  little  engagement  among  those  met.  We 
labored  to  rouse  them  to  an  exercise,  but  found  very  little  room 
in  their  hearts  or  sensibility  in  their  minds.  It  would  not  be 
strange  if  that  meeting  house  should  be  left  standing  empty  as 
a  monument,  unless  a  renewed  engagement  takes  place." 

Roman  Catholic  Chuech,  Towner's  Station. — This  church 
was  built  in  1875,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Patrick  J.  Healy, 
at  an  expense  of  about  $4,500.  It  is  a  neat  and  well  built  edi- 
fice, romantically  situated  under  the  side  of  ^le  mountain, 
south  of  the  station.  Under  the  energetic  management  of  the 
present  pastor,  a  debt  which  was  necessarily  incurred,  has  been 
nearly  extinguished,  and  the  church  is  prosperous  and  capable 
of  accomplishing  great  good; 

Methodist  Chapel,  Haviland  Hollow. — This  chapel  is 
connected  with  the  church  at  New  Fairfield,  Conn.,  but  the 
parsonage  is  located  in  this  town,  near  the  chapel,  which  is  on 
the  north  side  of  the  road,  at  Cowl's  Corners,  at  the  west  end 
of  Haviland  Hollow.  The  house  and  land  were  purchased  of 
the  Cowl  family,  some  twenty  years  ago.  The  Oblong  line  runs 
between  the  parsonage  house  and  the  chapel. 


town  of  patterson.  671 

Revolutionary  Item. 
"  Matthew  Paterson,  Esq. 

"  This  is  to  certify  that  Roswell  Wilcox,  David  Hiscock, 
Robert  Watts,  John  Paterson,  and  Mr.  Maxfield  has  brought 
2000  weight  by  computation  of  Continental  clothing  from 
Fredericksburg  to  John  Halstead's,  being  10  miles,  at  seven 
shillings  lawful  money  per  mile,  for  the  use  of  Gen.  Putnam's 
Division.     March  28th,  1778.     Per  agreement  with  me. 

"  M.  Connelly. 
"  Per  order  of  Gen.  Putnam." 

"  Fredericksburg,  2  July,  1778. 
"  This  is  to  certify  that  the  within  persons  carried  in  each  of 
their  carts  2000  lbs.  or  thereabouts,  as  I  impessed  the  carts  and 
was  at  the  loading  of  them  and  present  when  the  Quarter- 
masters agreed  with  the  people,  for  7  shillings  lawful  money 
per  mile,  as  the  road  is  very  bad. 

"  Matthew  Paterson,  Justice  of  Peace." 

North  Line  of  Lot  7. — As  one  of  the  principal  objects  of 
this  work  is  to  ascertain  and  to  perpetuate  the  ancient  boundary 
lines  of  the  Philipse  Patent  and  its  various  lots,  a  few  words 
will  not  be  amiss,  in  regard  to  the  original  north  line  of  this  lot. 
The  northwest  corner  is  about  a  half  a  mile  north  of  the  rail- 
road station  at  Reynoldsville,  and  is  the  northwest  corner  of  a 
tract  of  land  belonging  to  Silas  Abbott.  -  This  tract  formerly 
belonged  to  William  Gilchrist,  who  sold  it  to  David  Dibble,  who 
left  it  to  his  son,  Ebenezer,  who  sold  it  to  Enoch  Abbott, 
whose  son,  Jesse,  left  it  to  his  son,  Silas  Abbott,  the 
present  owner.  The  hill  to  the  east  of  this  tract  is  known  as 
"  Sunday  Hill."  A  tract  of  200  acres  east  of  the  Abbott  tract, 
wassoldby  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures,  to  Alexander  Kidd 
and  others,  and  this  was  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  "  Gore 
line,"  that  is,  the  south  line  of  the  Gore,  and  the  original  north 
line  of  the  lot.  The  line  can  be  traced  to  the  top  of  a  rocky 
hill,  and  near  its  south  end,  from  which  its  course  can  be  ranged 
across  the  swamp,  and  the  land  beyond  to  the  Oblong  line. 
In  the  original  survey,  in  1754,  the  northeast  corner  of  this  lot 
and  also  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  was  stated  to  be  "a  heap  of 
stones  on  the  Oblong  line,  in  a  road  near  Justice  Haviland's. 

The  road  which  runs  from  Aikin's  Corners  (near  the  village  of 
Patterson)  to  Pawling  crosses  a  branch  of  the  Croton  River, 


672  HISTORY    OF    PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  the  former  place.  A  short 
distance  north  of  the  bridge  and  beyond  the  county  line,  a  road 
turns  and  runs  to  the  northeast,  by  Baldwin's  Mills,  and  con- 
tinuing on,  it  crosses  the  Croton  again  at  "  Aikendale,"  the 
homestead  of  Mr.  Isaac  Aikin,  in  the  town  of  Pawling.  A  short 
distance  east  of  the  bridge,  the  road  turns  abruptly  and  runs 
nearly  due  south,  for  about  half  a  mile  and'then  turns  east  and 
meets  the  old  Philipstown  Turnpike  at  the  house  of  Mahlon 
Stedwell.  This  jiart  of  the  road,  which  runs  south,  is  on  the 
west  line  of  the  Oblong,  and  near  the  middle  of  this  part  was 
the  original  northeast  corner  of  the  Philipse  Patent.  It  is  near 
a  small  house  on  the  north  bank  of  the  stream,  southwest  from 
the  bridge,  and  on  the  land  of  Isaac  Aikin  are  the  ruins  of  an 
old  house,  the  chimney  of  which  is  still  standing.  This  was 
the  house  of  Isaac  Haviland,  sen.  (who  was  doubtless  the 
"Justice  Haviland"  mentioned  above)  and  it  was  known  as 
an  old  house,  when  the  oldest  resident  of  the  vicinity  was  a  boy. 
Near  by  are  the  ruins  of  an  old  dam,  which  marks  the  place  of 
a  mill  which  s.tood  there  in  ancient  times.  The  entire  removal 
of  old  boundaries  has  made  the  exact  location  of  the  original  line 
at  this  place  a  little  doubtful,  but  it  probably  ran  just  south  of 
the  old  house. 

Sylvester  Mabie. — The  ancestor  of  the  Mabie  family  was, 
according  to  tradition,  a  native  of  Holland,  and  enlisted  in  a 
privateer  which  came  on  the  coast  of  America  aad  took  a  Span- 
ish prize  near  New  York.  He  had  sons:  Jeremiah,  Simon, 
Peter,  Casporus  and  Abraham.  The  last  is  said  to  have  married 
a  French  lady  named.Cotelate,  at  New  Rochelle,  a  member  of 
a  Huguenot  family.  They  had  three  sons:  Abraham,  Peter  and 
John;  and  a  daughter  Phebe,  who  married  Thomas  Baxter. 

Abraham  Mabie  was  born  in  1727,  and  died  August  7th,  1817. 
He  married  Sarah  Gates,  who  died  August  12th,  1816,  at  the 
age  of  87.  Their  children  were:  Stephen,  Sarah,  wife  of  George 
Cleveland;  Solomon,  Joshiia,  Samuel,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Squire 
Ellis,  and  Susan,  wife  of  Joseph  Baker.  Abraham  Mabie  came 
to  this  county  and  settled  on  a  farm  which  is  now  the  home- 
stead of  Cornelius  Dean,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of 
Lake  Mahopac.     Here  he  built  a  house  in  1765. 

Joshua  Mabie  was  born  July  18th,  1769,  and  died  in  1854. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Gifford  and  their  children  were:  Hannah, 


.-g/ /^^l^fX-6 


TOWN   OF   PATTERSON.  673 

wife  of  Abraham  Scott;  Stephen  G.,  born  in  1801;  Daniel, 
Jeremiah,  Samuel,  Elisha  G.,  Sylvester,  Edmund  P.,  Sarah, 
Nehemiah  and  Marlin.  Two  of  the  family,  Joshua  and  Samuel, 
settled  on  a  farm  on  the  west  side  of  Hinckley  Pond  in  the  town 
of  Patterson. 

Sylvester  Mabie,  whose  portrait  appears  in  this  work,  was 
born  March  29th,  1806,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was 
passed  in  Putnam  county,  of  which  he  was  a  well  known  and 
honored  citizen.  Mr.  Mabie  was  a  resident  of  Patterson,  and 
was  supervisor  of  the  town  in  1847-49-51-55-58-59-60-68-69-70- 
71,  and  held  the  office  longer  than  any  other  person. 

The  farm  and  homestead  of  Mr.  Mabie  is  on  the  road  from 
Cowl's  Corners  (or  Haviland  Hollow)  to  Patterson,  and  about 
two  miles  from  the  latter  village.  It  was  purchased  by  his 
father,  Joshua  Mabie,  from  the  heirs  of  William  Howland.  in 
1823.  This  farm  was  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution  the  property 
(as  tenant  under  Beverly  Robinson)  of  Thomas  Menzies,  Esq., 
who  was  one  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  and  a  very  prominent 
man  in  Dutchess  county,  and  a  noted  tory  during  the  war. 

After  a  long  life  of  honor,  trust  and  usefulness  Mr.  Mabie 
died  January  1st,  1886,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  he  was  president  of  the  Putnam  County  National 
Bank,  having  held  the  position  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Mabie  married  Caroline  A.  Hetherington,  who  survives 
her  husband.  Their  only  child.  Hon.  Henry  Mabie,  was  born 
at  East  Fishkill,  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y..  November  28th,  1841, 
and  educated  at  the  public  schools  of  Patterson  and  at  the 
Delaware  Literary  Institute,  Franklin,  N.  Y.  After  graduating 
he  taught  school  for  awhile,  but  for  most  of  the  time  has  been 
a  farmer  on  the  homestead  of  his  fatlier  and  engaged  to  some 
extent  in  surveying. 

He  was  clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1877-80,  and 
supervisor  of  Patterson  in  1882-84;  being  chairman  of  the  Board 
in  1882.  He  was  elected  member  of  Assembly  in  1885  by  a 
plurality  of  637,  his  opponents  being  Titus  B.  Truesdell  (Dem.), 
and  Erastus  Hopkins  (Pro'b. ) 

Samuel  Mabie  (son  of  Abraham)  was  born  in  1772,  and  died 
October  14th,  1856.  He  married  Ruth  Bolt.  Their  children 
were:  Harrison,  who  died  Tinmarried;  Polly,  wife  of  Richard 
Baker;  Nancy  M.,  wife  of  Roswell  Taylor;  Esther  J.,  wife  of 
William  Merritt;  Sarah  M.,  wife  of  Samnel  Birch;  Emeline,  wife 
43 


674  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  Daniel  Steinbeck;  Eliza  A.,  wife  of  Ira  Hopkins;  and  Loretta 
H.,  wife  of  James  Wilson. 

Peter  Mabie,  the  brother  of  Abraham  Mabie,  came  with  him 
to  Carmel,  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Ma- 
hopac.  The  village  and  the  railroad  station  at  the  lake  are  on 
this  farm.  His  house  stood  close  to  the  line  between  Lots  5  and 
6  of  Philipse  Patent,  about  half  a  mile  east  of  the  lake,  and 
where  the  house  of  Mrs.  John  B.  Ganong  now  stands,  a  little 
north  of  the  road  to  Croton  Falls.  Peter  Mabie  left  sons:  Jere- 
miah, Lebeus,  Elias,  Levi  and  Daniel.  These  all  moved  away  to 
the  West. 

Daniel  Mabie,  known  as  Elder  Daniel,  went  to  Delhi,  Dela- 
ware county,  N.  Y.,  and  from  thence  to  Genesee  county,  where 
he  died.  He  left  a  large  family,  whose  descendants  are  now  in 
Blinois. 

Jeremiah  and  Edmund  P.  Mabie  (brothers  of  Sylvester)  were 
prominent  owners  of  a  travelling  menagerie,  and  having  accu- 
mulated a  fortune,  settled  in  Delavan,  Wis.,  where  they  died  in 
1869. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

TOWN  OF  KENT. 


Settlement.— Cole's  Mills.— Boyd's  Corners.— First  Baptist  Church.— Episcopal 
Church.— Richardville  Chapel.— Boyd's  Reservoir.— Farmer's  Mills.— Baptist 
Church,  Farmer's  Mills.— Other  LooaUties.— Ludingtonville.— Col.  Henry 
Ludington.— Second  Baptist  Church  in  Kent.— Change  of  Boundary.— 
Putnam  County  Bank. — Union  Cemetery  Association. — Mines. — Super- 
visors.- David  Kent.— Daniel  R.  Nichols.— Townsend  Family.— Coleman 
Robinson. 


THIS  town  is  bounded  north  by  the  line  of  Dutchess 
county,  east  by  Patterson,  south  by  Carmel  and  west  by 
Putnam  Valley  and  Philipstown.  It  includes  the  north  half 
of  Lot  6,  of  Philipse  Patent,  which  belonged  to  Philip  Philipse; 
Lot  5,  which  belonged  to  Roger  Morris  and  his  wife,  Mary 
Philipse;  and  a  small  portion  of  Lot  4,  which  was  in  possession 
of  Beverly  Robinson.  It  was  originally  a  part  of  Fredericks- 
town,  which  was  established  March  7th,  1788,  and  was  sepa- 
rated from  it  and  made  a  new  town,  under  the  name  of  Fred- 
ericks in  1795,  and  this  name  was  changed  to  Kent  by  Act  of 
April  15th,  1817.  This  town  was  not  settled  as  early  as  the 
neighboring  towns,  as  its  rough  mountainous  lands  were  not 
attractive,  and  as  late  as  the  Revolution  the  population  did  not 
number  more  than  two  or  three  hundred.  Among  the  first  set- 
tlers of  whom  there  is  any  knowledge  was  Joseph  Merritt,  who 
was  a  tenant  of  Roger  Morris,  and  some  years  later  bought  a 
farm  of  Col.  Morris  and  his  wife,  Mary  Philipse.  This  deed  is 
dated  September  18th,  1771,  and  the  land  is  described  as  "  part 
of  farm  76,  beginning  at  a  black  oak  tree,  the  corner  of  farm  75.' 
It  included  200  acres  and  is  supposed  to  lie  a  short  distance 
west  of  the  reservoir  at  Boyd's  Corners. 

At  the  same  date  Roger  Morris  sold  to  John  Rhodes  225  acres, 
being  part  of  farm  75,  situated  on  the  west  side  of  a  branch  of 


676  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Croton  River.  This  farm  is  believed  to  be  south  of  the  farm 
sold  to  Joseph  Merritt  and  is  probably  the  homestead  of  the 
late  Dr.  Joseph  Bailey. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  was 
Peleg  Wixon,  who  came  from  Cape  Cod  probably  aboat  1754. 
He  had  a  son  Daniel,  whose  son  Reuben  died  in  June,  1828,  at 
the  age  of  60,  and  his  son,  Bently  Wixon,  is  now  living  on  the 
old  homestead,  about  a  mile  northwest  from  Boyd's  Corners. 
The  descendants  of  the  various  branches  of  this  family  are 
numerous. 

Throughout  the  northern  and  western  portions  of  the  town 
the  Highlands  are  seen  in  all  their  wildness  and  grandeur.  The 
mountains  are  steep  and  rocky,  and  the  streams  that  flow 
down  their  valleys  are  uncontaminated  and  glide  on  in  their 
crystalline  purity. 

The  lots  both  of  Roger  Morris  and  Philip  Philipse  were  sur- 
veyed and  divided  into  farms  at  an  early  day,  but,  so  far  as  the 
portions  which  lay  in  this  town  were  concerned,  did  not  readily 
And  tenants,  and  while  the  lower  lands  to  the  south  and  east 
were  beginning  to  be  settled  they  remained  with  scarcely  an  in- 
habitant. 

From  the  Field  Book  of  Survey  of  Lot  6,  made  in  1762,  by 
Benjamin  Morgan,  the  following  persons  were  living  at  that 
time  on  the  north  part  of  the  lot,  which  is  now  included  in  the 
the  town  of  Kent:  William  Colwell,  Hope  Covey,  Isaiah  Ben- 
nett, Amos  Northrop,  Joseph  Northrop,  Moses  Northrop,  Wil- 
liam Daley,  Nehemiah  Barlow,  Elisha  Calkins,  Stephen  Osborn, 
Samuel  Daley,  Aaron  Calkins,  Edward  Dolph,  Jacob  Phillips, 
Joshua  Burdox,  Samuel  Carter,  Jonathan  Tiittle,  Jonathan 
Hill,  Jonathan  Gray,  William  Borden. 

May  3d,  1767,  Philip  Philipse  gave  a  lease  to  Malcom  Mor- 
rison for  a  tract  of  688  acres  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town, 
described  as  farm  93,  bounded  north  by  Jonathan  Hill,  east  by 
Joshua  Burdox,  south  by  Moses  Northrop,  and  west  by  William 
Borden.  Malcom  Morrison  was  a  son-in-law  of  Rev.  Elisha 
Kent,  the  first  minister  in  Southeast.  As  he  was  a  Tory  during 
the  Revolution,  his  property  was  confiscated,  and  he  went  to 
England  and  died  there. 

To  locate  any  of  these  early  settlers  seems  a  diificult  task. 
The  Northrop  family  settled  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  a 
short  distance  east  of  the  present  county  farm.     Jonathan  Tut- 


TOWK   OF   KENT.  677 

tie  had  a  mill  near  the  head  spring  of  what  was  then  called 
"■  Philipse  Mill  River,"  but  now  denominated  "Whang  Brook." 
Samuel  Carter  also  had  a  mill,  on  "  Townsend  Mill  River,"  or 
the  middle  branch  of  the  Croton.  There  are  no  villages  of  any 
size  in  this  town,  and  the  few  neighborhoods,  which  are  desig- 
nated by  local  names,  we  will  describe  in  turn. 

Cole's  Mills. — In  the  southern  part  of  this  town,  on  the 
Croton  River,  about  a  mile  south  of  the  reservoir,  is  a  place 
known  as  Cole's  Mills.  It  was  here  that  the  first  settlement  was 
made  by  Elisha  Cole,  who  came  from  Cape  Cod,  in  1747.  A 
mill  was  built  on  the  outlet  of  Barrett  Pond  before  the  Revolu- 
tion. After  the  war  the  family  bought  the  farm,  which  they 
had  long  occupied,  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  and 
also  a  large  tract  adjoining.  Soon  after  the  Revolution,  two  of 
his  sons,  Daniel  and  Elisha,  built  a  mill  on  the  Croton  near  by, 
at  which  a  large  business  for  those  times  was  carried  on.  Con- 
nected with  the  grist  mill  was  a  saw  and  fulling  mill,  and  to  the 
latter,  cloth  of  the  good  honest  homespun  of  former  days  was 
brought  from  far  and  near. 

Elisha  Cole  married  Hannah  Smalley  and  they  were  the  pa- 
rents of  twelve  children:  John,  who  moved  to  the  western  part 
of  the  State;  Joseph,  born  in  1746;  Joshua,  who  went  away  and 
was  never  heard  from;  Ebenezer,  born  in  1754,  died  August 
18th,  1815;  Elisha,  2d,  born  September  3d,  1743,  died  February 
3d,  1826;  Daniel,  born  1744,  died  December  10th,  1831;  Nathan, 
born  1745,  died  February  6th,  1805;  Hannah,  wife  of  Freeman 
Hopkins;  Eunice,  wife  of  Hackaliah  Merrick;  Priscilla,  wife  of 
Gen.  James  Townsend;  Mercy,  wife  of  Tracy  Ballard:  and 
Naomi,  wife  of  Jesse  Smith.  Ebenezer,  Daniel  and  Nathan  were 
Baptist  preachers  and  were  justly  esteemed  as  good  and  worthy 
men.  Daniel  Cole  inherited  the  old  homestead  at  Cole's  Mills, 
where  Theodore  Cole  now  lives.  He  married  Susannah  Ogden, 
who,  according  to  the  tombstone  inscription  in  the  old  burying 
ground  at  Carmel,  died  November  3d,  1857,  at  the  age  of  102 
years,  4  months  and  8  days.  Their  children  were  John,  Elisha, 
Daniel  and  Jesse,  who  all  settled  near  each' other  near  Cole's 
Mills.  The  house  and  farm  is  now  owned  byjhis  son,  Hiram. 
Daniel  lived  where  the  brick  house  now  stands  near  the  mill,  now 
owned  by  Tillott  Cole,  while  the  house  of  Jesse  Cole  is  where 
Cornelius  B.  Nichols  now  lives.     The  various  branches   of  the 


678  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

family  are  numerous  and  widely  scattered,  and  include  many 
of  the  best  citizens  of  the  county. 

Elisha  Cole,  son  of  Elisha,  the  first  settler,  married  Charity, 
daughter  of  Caleb  Hazen.  His  homestead  was  a  farm  in  the 
town  of  Carmel,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  southwest  of  Cole's 
Mills,  and  now  owned  by  Henry  Cole.  A  few  tombstones  in  a 
field  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  mark  the  last  resting  place 
of  Elisha  Cole  and  some  of  his  family.  His  son,  Elisha  3d,  was 
and  born  in  1776,  died  July  19th,  1851. 

Although  the  mill  yet  stands,  the  business  of  the  place  is  no 
longer  what  it  was,  and  the  changes  produced  by  the  railroad 
have  affected  this,  as  they  have  many  other  like  localities. 
South  of  Cole's  Mills,  on  the  road  to  Carmel,  is  the  old  home- 
stead farm,  which  originally  belonged  to  the  Hopkins  family.  It 
was  here  that  Capt.  Solomon  Hopkins  lived  during  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  was  the  brother-in-law  of  Enoch  Crosby,  the  hero 
of  Cooper's  "Spy,"  and  after  the  war  he  purchased  341  acres 
of  land  in  the  Morris  Lot  No.  5  from  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feiture. The  homestead  descended  from  Solomon  Hopkins 
(who  died  September  22d,  1792,  aged  52)  to  his  son,  Jeremiah, 
who  in  turn  left  it  to  his  son,  Abraham,  who  sold  it  to  his 
brother,  Solomon,  and  it  came  to  his  son,  Addison  J.,  who  sold 
it  in  1869  to  Polly  D.  Haight,  wife  of  Joseph  Haight,  to  whom 
it  now  belongs.  It  was  in  the  old  house  which  stood  on  the 
site  of  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  Haight  that  the  murderous 
attack  was  made  upon  Enoch  Crosby,  which  came  near  ending 
his  days.  The  old  house  was  torn  down  and  the  present  resi- 
dence built  about  1874. 

It  was  on  this  farm  that  the  first  school  house  in  Kent  was 
built.  This  stood  about  eight  rods  east  of  the  present  school 
house,  and  was  torn  down  more  than  sixty  years  ago.  In  its 
place  was  built  another,  for  which  purpose  Abraham,  Nathan- 
iel, Reuben  and  Jeremiah  Hopkins  leased  "  for  one  pepper- 
corn, to  be  paid  annually  4  rods  square  of  ground,  five  rods 
north  westerly  of  the  old  school  house,  and  south  westerly  of 
Daniel  F.  Cole' s  mills  for  the  term  of  forty  years."  This  in 
turn  became  unfit  for  use  and  pretty  well  hacked  to  pieces  by 
several  generations  of  Jack  knives,  and  the  present  school  house 
was  erected,  a  few  rods  west  of  the  former  one,  on  land  bought 
from  Stephen  Townsend,  December  15th,  1865,  in  exchange  for 
the  former  site. 


TOWN   OF   KENT.  679 

Boyd's  Corners. — The  valley  which  is  now  covered  by  the 
Croton  Reservoir  was  the  best  tract  of  farming  land  in  this  por- 
tion of  the  town.  The  place  derived  its  name  from  Ebenezer 
Boyd,  who  was  of  Scotch  parentage,  and  born  about  1735.  He 
was  a  captain  in  the  Revolntion  and  a  brave  and  gallant  officer. 
About  1780,  he  removed  from  his  home  in  Westchester  county, 
came  to  Kent  and  bought  several  tracts  of  land  in  Lot  5  from 
the  commissioners  of  forfeiture.  Here  he  built  a  house,  and 
kept  a  tavern  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  June 
29th,  1792.  He  was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  which  is  now 
covered  by  the  waters  of  the  reservoir.  The  homestead  was 
left  to  his  oldest  son,  Ebenezer,  who  died  March  27th,  1848,  at 
the  age  of  82,  after  which  it  fell  to  his  sons,  Ebenezer  and  Still- 
man.  The  latter  sold  it  in  1853,  and  moved  to  Jefferson  Valley 
where  he  now  resides.  The  place  now  belongs  to  John  Bennett 
and  his  house  stands  on  the  site  of  the  old  mansion. 

At  this  place  is  located  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Kent. 
This  church  was  constituted  October  4th,  1810,  by  a  Council 
called  by  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Philipstown,  and  held  at 
the  house  of  Isaac  Drew.  Of  this  meeting,  Elder  Ebenezer 
Cole  was  moderator  and  among  the  members  present  were  Elders 
Job  Foss,  Jonathan  Sturdevant,  and  Simeon  Barrett.  The  new 
societj' was  known  as  the  "Second  Baptist  Church  in  Pred- 
ericktown."  Elder  Moseman  Barrett  was  the  first  pastor,  and 
Abijah  Yeomans,  clerk.  From  July,  1818,  to  February,  1819, 
58  members  were  added  to  the  church.  November  30th,  1826, 
Peter  Robinson  was  ordained  deacon  in  the  church.  By  a  re- 
vival in  1828,  50  more  members  were  added  to  the  church  by 
baptism,  and  another  large  addition  was  made  in  1836.  March 
2d,  1844,  Elder  John  Warren  was  engaged  as  pastor  and  Novem- 
ber 30th  of  the  same  year  the  church  dismissed  a  number  of  the 
members  to  form  the  Second  Baptist  Church  of  Kent.  Up 
to  1831  the  meetings  had  been  held  in  school  houses  or  private 
dwellings,  and  in  that  year  the  first  meeting  house  was  built  on 
land  said  to  have  been  given  by  Ebenezer  Boyd,  jr.  This  build- 
ing stood  on  the  old  road,  across  the  Croton  and  directly  east, 
of  the  present  church',  and  near  it  was  the  old  burying  ground. 
In  February  1846,  another  revival  increased  the  membership  and 
on  August  4th,  1849,  the  church  voted  to  unite  with  the  Union 
Bax)tist  Association.     Rev.  John  J.  Eberle  was  ordained  pastor 

'  This  church  was  dedicated  November  16th,  1831. 


680  HISTORY   or   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

March  13th,  1850,  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder  David  James  July 
5th,  1851.  Eev.  James  C.  Smalley  was  licensed  to  preached  the 
gospel  July  31st,  1852,  and  on  the  13th  of  December,  1854,  he 
was  ordained  pastor.  James  J.  Townsend  was  licensed  to 
preach.  May  1st,  1858,  and  in  January  of  the  same  year  a  new 
revival  added  40  members  to  the  church.  February  5th,  1859, 
Allen  Barrett  and  Charles  Patrick  were  elected  deacons.  Henry 
Light  and  Allen  Light  were  elected  deacons  February  4th,  1865. 
Rev.  Jame,s  C.  Smalley  resigned  the  pastorship  February  6th, 
1869.  The  construction  of  the  new  reservoir  rendered  the  re- 
moval of  the  church  necessary  and  a  new  meeting  house  was 
built  and  dedicated  on  the  29th  of  September,  1869.  This  build- 
ing stands  directly  west  of  the  former  church  on  land  given  by 
Piatt  Parker. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  1870,  Rev.  Allen  E.  Light  was  licensed 
to  preach  the  gospel.  In  January,  1874,  Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp  was 
invited  to  act  as  pastor  and  accepted  but  preached  there  only 
twice  a  month.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  present  pastor.  Rev. 
Henry  Light,  who  was  ordained  January  26th,  1876,  and  still 
continues  to  labor  in  this  place.  During  his  term  of  service  he 
has  baptized  129  persons.  At  the  present  time  he  also  supplies 
the  church  at  Dykeman's  Station  and  his  labors,  though  arduous, 
are  crowned  vj^ith  success. 

West  of  the  church  is  a  new  burying  ground,  to  which  the 
remains  were  moved  from  the  old  one  now  covered  by  the  reser- 
voir. From  the  oldest  stones  we  give  the  following  names  and 
dates:  Sarah,  wife  of  Jacob  Knapp,  died  Jan.  2d,  1878,  age  78; 
Solomon  Williams,  Jan.  1st,  1873,  77;  Rachel,  wife,  April  11th, 
1872,  79;  Josephine  Townsend,  Nov.  9th,  1858,  71;  Stephen 
Brown,  April  20th,  1852,  73;  Jane,  wife,  April  2d,  1856,  70; 
Nathaniel  Nichols,  April  8th,  186],  60;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Oct.  3d, 
1855*  53;  Moses  Adams,  May  2()th,  1851,  82;  Phebe,  wife,  Aug. 
19th,  1849,  71;  John  Mead,  March  4th,  1826,  77;  John  S.  Mead, 
Aug.  22d,  1840,  66;  Hannah,  wife,  Sept.  6th,  1830,  69. 

"In  Memory  of  Isaiah  Smalley,  who  died  July  7th,  1856, 
aged  100  years  three  months  and  14 days." 

On  the  .west  side  of  the  reservoir  and  at  the  corner  of 
the  road  running  down  Peekskill  Hollow,  is  the  old 
homestead  of  the  Bailey  family.  Rowland  Bailey,  who  came 
to  this  part  of  the  country  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century, 
was  the  county  clerk  in  1820.     He  purchased  several  tracts  of 


TOWN   OF   KENT.  681 

land,  and  was  a  very  extensive  owner  of  real  estate.  He  died 
in  the  summer  of  1839.  The  homestead  was  the  residence  of 
his  son,  Dr.  Joseph  H.  Bailey,  during  his  whole  life,  and  few 
of  the  citizens  of  the  town  or  county  were  more  prominently 
known  than  he.  Dr.  Bailey  was  a  surgeon  in  the  United  States 
Army,  and  a  practicing  physician  in  the  county.  The  home- 
stead was  sold  to  William  H.  Stevens  in  1885,  by  the  executors 
of  the  estate. 

The  Episcopal  Church  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  is  located  at 
this  place  and  was  built  principally  through  the  liberality  of 
Dr.  Bailey.  The  church  was  organized  March  8th,  1878,  with 
Dr.  Bailey  and  Andrew  John  Bennett,  as  wardens.  The  church 
lot  was  given  by  Dr.  Bailey,  November  26th,  1881,  and  the  edi- 
fice was  built  soon  afterward.  Rev.  Matthew  A.  Bailey  was  the 
officiating  clergyman  till  the  decease  of  his  father,  who  in  his 
will  bequeathed  to  the  church  the  family  burying  ground  on  the 
estate  and  certain  lands  adjoining  the  church  edifice. 

On  the  road  running  northwest  from  Boyd's  Corners,  is  a 
small  neighborhood  known  as  Richardville.  Through  the  pub- 
lic spirit  and  liberality  of  Dr.  Bailey,  a  chapel  has  been  erected 
here.  The  land  where  it  stands,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road, 
about  half  a  mile  from  the  corner,  was  given  by  Dr.  Bailey  to 
"Jackson  Bennett,  Darius  Williams,  John  P.  Williams  and 
Corigan  Tompkins,  trustees  of  the  Richardville  Chapel,"  June 
27th,  1873,  and  the  building  was  erected  soon  .after.  A  large 
number  of  people  attended  the  dedication,  aad  the  Sunday 
school  established  was  doubtless  productive  of  great  good,  and 
redounds  to  the  credit  of  the  liberal  donor. 

The  neighborhood  of  Boyd's  Corners  is  now  more  generally 
known  as  "Kent  Cliffs,"  a  name  which  has  been  given  to  it  in 
later  years. 

Boyd's  Reservoir. — This  reservoir  was  surveyed  and  land 
for  it  purchased  by  the  mayor  and  corporation  of  New  York 
city,  in  1866.  The  first  purchase  was  a  farm  of  70  acres,  which 
included  the  land  where  the  dam  is  built  and  the  land  owned 
by  the  city  of  New  York  on  the  south  of  it.  This  farm  was 
originally  owned  by  Seth  Robinson,  who  had  a  saw  mill  near 
where  the  dam  now  stands.  This  he  sold  to  Jesse  Cole,  and  he 
in  turn  sold  it  to  Laban  Barrett,  in  1836,  who  sold  it  to  the 
city  of  New  York.      At  that  time  an  old  road  ran  across  the 


682  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

valley  from  nearly  opposite  the  present  Baptist  church  to  the 
road  to  Parmer's  Mills,  on  the  east  side.  On  this  road,  near  the 
west  bounds  of  the  reservoir,  was  the  old  church  and  close  to  it 
an  ancient  burying  ground.  On  the  low  land  near  the  river 
was,  in  ancient  times,  a  settlement  of  Indians,  and  relics  of  the 
aborigines  were  often  found.  At  this  place  the  old  militia 
trainings  were  held  in  the  days  of  yore  and  frequently  closed 
by  fights,  not  of  a  strictly  military  character.  Near  the  north 
end  of  the  reservoir,  upon  a  road  now  obliterated,  stood,  in  the 
beginning  of  this  century,  a  forge  and  small  furnace  for  melting 
iron.  This  was  owned  by  James  Townsend,  and  he  was  the  first 
man  who  used  ore  from  the  Tilly  Foster  Mine.  Relics  of  the 
old  forge  may  yet  be  seen  at  low  water.  Maps  of  the  reservoir, 
showing  all  the  land  purchased,  are  now  in  the  office  of  the  county 
clerk.  The  reservoir  covers  303  acres  and  its  capacity  is  2,750,- 
000,000  gallons.  The  contract  for  building  the  dam  was  taken 
by  Edward  Roach,  Joshua  B.  and  Simon  S.  Jenkins  for  the  sum 
of  $201,002.80.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  July  2d,  1866.  The 
contractors  soon  found  that  the  price  was  far  inadequate  to  the 
work  to  be  done  and  failed  to  complete  it.  The  dam  was  finally 
finished  in  February,  1873,  and  the  reservoir  was  first  full  April 
1st  of  that  year.  The  elevation  of  this  reservoir  is  600  feet 
above  tide  water. 

The  old  Philipstown  Turnpike  runs  through  this  town.  At 
the  point  on  this  road  where  it  crosses  the  town  line  is  the  house 
of  Isaiah  Booth.  The  boundary,  which  is  the  original  line  be- 
tween the  Morris  Lot  No.  5  and  the  Robinson  Lot  No.  4,  runs 
a  few  feet  west  of  his  house,  a  large  chestnut  tree  standing  on 
the  line.  On  the  north  side  of  the  road  the  line  can  be  distinctly 
traced,  and  a  short  distance  from  the  road  is  a  large  boulder, 
resting  upon  a  rock.  On  the  bank  of  a  small  stream,  southeast 
from  the  house,  is  a  tract  of  low  land,  bounded  north  by  a  high 
bank.  On  this  tract  was  the  last  Indian  village  in  the  countj'', 
and  it  was  occupied  by  them  as  late  as  1812. 

Faemek's  Mills. — This  place,  which  stands  on  a  small  stream, 
the  outlet  of  White  Pond,  has  been  a  mill  seat  from  very  early 
times,  the  first  mill  having  been  built,  it  is  said,  by  one  Burton 
in  1784,  and  was  owned  by  Joseph  Farrington  at  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century.  Previous  to  1822,  the  mill  site  and 
property  were  owned  by  Josiah  Terry,  bat  by  a  foreclosure  of 


TOWN    OF   KENT.  683 

mortgage  it  was  sold  to  William  Colwell,  March  18th,  1822.  He 
remained  the  owner  nntil  his  death,  and  on  March  23d,  1828, 
William  Colwell,  jr.,  James  Cole,  Adah  Cole,  Warren  Townsend, 
Betsy  Townsend,  Perry  G.  Nichols,  and  Phebe  Mchols,  heirs  of 
William  Colwell,  sold  to  Walker  Todd,  "  two  pieces  of  land. 
The  first  beginning  by  a  garden  wall  formerly  owned  by  Aaron 
Hazen,"'  and  ran  by  the  south  side  of  the  water  course  "  to  a 
small  dam,  commonly  called  the  fulling  mill  dam,  but  now  the 
turning  shop  dam,  then  south  to  the  road,  then  with  the  road 
to  the  forge  dam  so  called,  then  east  to  south  edge  and  along 
the  forge  pond,  to  a  stream  that  runs  from  White  Pond,  then 
east  on  the  south  bank  of  stream,  to  White  Pond,  then  north 
across  the  stream,  then  west  with  the  bank  of  stream  to  head  of 
forge  pond,  then  with  the  old  road  to  the  forge  dam,  then  w.est 
with  the  stream,  before  the  forge  dam,  to  north  end  of  turning 
shop  dam,  thence  by  stream  to  a  stake  in  the  line  of  land  for- 
merly Josiah  Smith's,  now  Gildersleve's."  The  second  piece 
was  on  the  south  side  of  the  stream  and  the  deed  mentioned  the 
"houseof  Harvey  M.  Dean,"  "Joseph  Phillip's  Peach  orchard," 
and  "  Smith  Worden's  land." 

Another  piece  is  described  as  "beginning  at  the  north  end  of 
bridge  near  grist  mill,"  and  at  that  time  Jarvis  Washburn,  Ray 
Smith,  John  Patrick  and  Reuben  Barrett  were  mentioned  as 
living  in  the  place.  Walker  Todd  sold  the  premises  to  Joseph 
Olmstead,  April  28th,  1831,  and  he  sold  to  John  W.  Brinker- 
hoff,  of  Fishkill,  December  14th,  1833.  In  1837,  Brinkerhofl 
sold  to  Cornelius  H.  Cornwell  80  acres,  on  the  north  side  of  the 
mill  stream  "  with  a  certain  water  power  to  extend  to  the  foot 
or  bottom  of  the  water  wheel,  of  the  Mechanic  shop,"  and  to 
Joseph  D.  Worden  "  a  lot  with  a  blacksmith  shop  standing  on 
it  and  opposite  the  brick  house  of  James  Wright,  and  bounded 
north  by  bi-ook." 

Previous  to  that  time  the  place  had  borne  the  name  of  "  Mill- 
town."  March  8th,  1838,  Mr.  Brinkerhoff  sold  to  an  association 
of  the  neighboring  farmers,  consisting  of  Daniel  Kent,  Samuel 
Townsend,  Warren  Townsend,  Horace  Townsend,  Samuel  A. 
Townsend  and  Robert  Wixon,  "  a  parcel  of  land  having  thereon 
a  grain  or  flouring  mill,  dwelling  house  and  other  buildings" 
for  $7,700.  After  this  the  place  became  generally  known  as  the 
"  Farmer's  Mills,"  a  name  which  it  still  retains.  Among  the 
various  kinds  of  business  carried  on  at  the  place  was  a  tan  yard, 


684  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

kept  by  Joseph  and  William  Haight.  The  Philipstown  Turn- 
pike ran  through  the  place,  and  before  the  days  of  railroads  it 
was  a  business  center  for  a  great'  extent  of  country  round.  The 
Farmer's  Mills  Company  finally  dissolved  and  the  property  was 
divided.  The  store  property  was  sold  to  Reuben  R.  Barrett, 
the  present  supervisor  of  Kent,  and  the  mill,  after  passing 
through  several  hands,  is  now  owned  by  Eli  and  Charles  Mead. 
The  building  of  the  Harlem  and  the  Hudson  River  Railroads 
took  the  business  of  this  place  in  other  directions,  and  Farmer's 
Mills  at  the  present  time  presents  the  aspect  of  a  "stranded 
village." 

It  is  said  that  when  the  mills  were  bought  by  the  Farmer's 
Company,  an  old  resident,  when  he  heard  the  news,  inquired 
"What  did  they  buy  it  for  ?"  The  reply  was  "For  speculation." 

"  They'll  find  it  a poor  speculation,"  was  his  remark,  and 

it  proved  true  in  the  end. 

Horace  Townsend  had  a  store  and  a  hotel  here  on  the  place 
now  owned  by  Reuben  Barrett.  A  brick  yard  was  started  about 
1836,  a  bed  of  clay  being  near  the  creek.  The  Putnam  County 
Bank  was  located  in  this  place  when  first  organized. 

An  important  mill  seat  is  situated  about  half  a  mile  southeast 
of  Ludingtonville  and  now  owned  by  Daniel  Merritt.  A  mill 
was  built  here  about  1833,  by  John  W.  Brinkerhofl,  who  bought 
the  stream  and  land  from  John  Nowlen.  He  sold  the  mill  to 
Nathan  C.  Baldwin,  and  it  passed  in  succession  into  the  hands 
of  John  Patrick  and  Sarles  Drew.  The  latter  sold  it  to  Daniel 
Merritt,  the  present  owner,  about  1855.  The  premises  consist  of 
65  acres  besides  the  mill  pond,  and  the  grist  and  saw  mills  here 
do  an  extensive  business. 

The  Kent  and  Fishkill  Baptist  Church'  is  pleasantly 
situated  near  the  village  of  Farmer's  Mills,  in  the  town  of  Kent, 
Putnam  county.  As  this  is  one  of  the  oldest  churches  in  the 
association,  its  early  history,  doubtless,  will  be  read  with  curi- 
osity and  interest.  However,  much  valuable  information  has 
been  lost.     All  the  records  previous  to  1795  can  not  be  found. 

The  church  appears  to  have  been  constituted  in  1782.  The 
organization  was  composed  of  members  forming  a  branch  of  the 
Pawling  and  Beekman  churches,  and  also  some  from  the  Carmel 
church.     Elder  John  Lawrence,  having  the  jpastoral  charge  over 

'From  a  sketch  by  Jehial  Parker. 


TOWN   OF   KENT.  685 

the  Pawling  and  Beekman  church,  was  instrumental  in  estab- 
lishing this  church  in  Frederickstown.  He  frequently  preached 
in  this  vicinity  in  private  houses,  and  particularly  in  the  upper 
part  of  the  grist  mill  in  Milltown  (now  Farmer's  Mills),  pre- 
vious to  the  organization  of  the  church,  and  became  its  first 
pastor.     Elder  Freeman  Hopkins  was  his  successor. 

Previous  to  1795,  we  find  Articles  of  Faith  and  Covenant 
signed  by  Elder  Hopkins,  Deacon  Benjamin  Knapp,  and  one 
hundred  and  sixty  members,  which,  at  this  early  day,  testifies 
to  their  success  in  the  ministry.  In  the  latter  part  of  1795  there 
appears  to  have  been  a  gracious  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Elder  Truesdal  came  among  them,  and  preached  the  gospel  with 
such  demonstration  and  power  that  many  souls  were  convicted 
of  sin  and  added  to  the  chnrch.  Brother  Jonathan  Sturdevg,nt 
also  preached  among  them  witli  so  much  success  that  his  ordi- 
nation was  unanimously  called  for.  He  became  pastor  and 
labored  until  April  3d,  1802,  with  much  success;  then  the 
church,  failing  to  raise  the  money  promised  him,  voted  to  dis- 
charge him  from  the  pastorship,  giving  him  an  opportunity  to 
labor  in  another  field.  He  still  continued  to  preach  some  part 
of  the  time  until  November  7th,  1807,  a  period  of  twelve  years. 

For  twenty  years  after  its  organization  the  church  had  no 
meeting  house.  Meetings  were  generally  held  at  Bro.  Joseph 
Farrington's  in  Farmer's  Mills,  sometimes  at  Israel  Knapp' s, 
Benjamin  Hatchings,  Samuel  Hawkins,  and  in  other  neighbor- 
hoods. By  courtesy.  Sabbath  meetings  were  held  once  a  month 
in  the  Carmel  Baptist  meeting  house  during  the  years  1798  and 
1799. 

In  1799  the  church  laid  aside  the  written  covenant,  and  took 
the  Bible  as  a  guide  in  discipline  and  travail. 

In  1800,  the  church  built  a  house  of  worship  upon  the  ground 
occupied  by  the  present  building.  For  eight  years  the  church 
worshipped  in  this  building,  having  no  walls.  Then  it  was  fur- 
nished, by  each  member  paying  his  equal  proportion  according 
to  his  ability. 

In  1800  Simeon  Barrett  was  licensed  to  improve  his  gift  in 
the  ministry.  He  preached  one-fourth  of  the  time  until  1805, 
when  he  was  ordained.  He  still  continued  to  preach  a  part  of 
the  time,  and  in  1807  took  the  oversight  of  the  church.  He 
continued  his  labors  with  them  until  1830,  having  the  care  of 
the  church  twenty-three  years.     Deacon  William  Knapp  was 


686  HISTORY   01'   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

licensed  in  1800.  He  preached  one  fourth  of  the  time  until 
August,  1816.  In  1804  they  licensed  Bro.  Luman  Bnrch  to 
preach  the  gospel.  He  preached  one-fourth  of  the  time  in  con- 
nection with  Elders  Sturdevant  and  Barrett,  and  Deacon  Knapp, 
for  several  years,  when  he  began  his  labors  with  the  church  at 
Stamford,  Dutchess  county.  Bro.  Nathaniel  Parker,  after 
having  served  as  deacon  several  years  on  trial,  was  ordained  in 
December,  1806,  by  the  assistance  of  the  Carmel  and  North 
Salem  churches.  He  faithfully  filled  the  office  for  fourteen 
years.  Bro.  Moseman  Barrett  received  license  to  preach  in  1815. 
He  preached  about  one-half  the  time  at  this  church  as  licenti- 
ate, until  June,  1818,  when  he  was  ordained.  Although  he  was 
never  considered  as  pastor  of  this  church,  still  he  continued  to 
preach  nearly  one-half  the  time^  until  1844,  in  connection  with 
Elder  Robinson. 

In  1818  Elder  Barrett  and  several  other  members  of  this 
church  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Peekskill  Hollow 
church,  and  united  with  them  in  order  to  build  up  the  cause  of 
Christ  in  that  place.  Elder  Barrett  took  the  oversight  and  con- 
tinued his  labors  with  them  until  his  death. 

November  3d,  1819,  Bro.  John  Patrick,  jr.,  after  having 
served  as  deacon  two  years  on  trial,  was  ordained  and  set  apart 
to  that  office  by  a  council  called  for  that  purpose.  He  filled 
that  office  faithfully  until  February  2d,  1822,  when  he  united 
with  the  Second  Baptist  Church  in  Fishkill,  as  deacon,  and 
officiated  until  his  death.  In  the  same  year  Bro.  Nathaniel 
Robinson  related  his  call  to  the  ministry,  and  the  following 
year  received  license  to  improve  his  gift.  He  preached  one- 
fourth  of  the  time  at  this  church,  and  the  rest  of  the  time  in 
different  places,  until  October  21st,  1824,  when  he  was  ordained 
upon  application  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  in  Fishkill.  He 
still  continued  to  preach  one-fourth  of  the  time  until  1832, 
when  he  became  sole  pastor  of  the  church.  In  1865,  feeling  too 
feeble  to  be  of  service  to  the  church,  he  advised  them  to  call 
another  preacher  to  fill  the  desk.  Acting  upon  this  advice,  the 
church  called  Bro.  Samuel  Sprague,-  after  giving  him  license  to 
preach,  to  fill  the  desk  and  break  unto  us  the  bread  of  life. 
Brother  Sprague  performed  the  duties  of  pastor  until  August 
17th,  1867,  when  the  church  unanimously  called  upon  Brother 
Robinson  to  resume  his  pastorship.  His  first  pastorate  covered 
a  period  of  thirty-four  years. 


TOWN    OF   KENT.  687 

In  1820  Bro.  James  C.  Barrett  and  Bro.  James  Mead  were 
licensed  to  go  out  and  improve  their  gifts  in  the  ministry.  In 
1821  this  church  was  first  called  the  Kent  and  Fishkill  Baptist 
Church.  November  4th,  1826,  Bro.  James  Scat  was  appointed 
deacon.  In  1832  the  church  licensed  Bro.  George  Horton  to 
preach.  In  1837  the  church  voted  to  raise  $60  as  a  salary  for 
Elder  Robinson,  who  preached  one-half  the  time.  This  is  the 
first  salary  mentioned  on  record.  September  16th,  1840,  the 
present  house  of  worship  was  dedicated. 

In  1848  the  church  gave  Bro.  Judson  Dykeman  license  to 
preach  the  word.  June  4th,  1845,  he  was  ordained,  by  request 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Pawling.  He  became  pastor  of 
that  church  and  still  fills  that  office  with  acceptance.  He  also 
labored  with  this  church  nearly  one  half  of  the  time,  in  con- 
nection with  Elder  Robinson.  In  1857,  Elder  Robinson  be- 
coming too  feeble  to  administer  the  ordinance  of  Baptism, 
Elder  Dykeman  administered  the  ordinance,  and  also  assisted 
at  the  communion  table. 

April  20th,  1844,  Bro.  Peter  Robinson  united  with  this  chilrch 
by  letter,  as  deacon,  and  faithfully  filled  that  office  till  death, 
being  highly  esteemed  by  the  church  and  society. 

January  28th,  1860,  Bro.  Addison  Kelley  received  license  to 
preach.  By  the  request  of  the  Second  Kent  Church,  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  that  church  on  the  26th  of 
October,  1861.  About  the  same  time  the  church  met  with  a 
heavy  loss  in  the  death  of  Deacon  Patrick. 

February  15th,  1862,  Bro.  Nathaniel  R.  Shaw  and  Bro.  Joseph 
P.  Russell  were  elected  deacons  by  vote  of  the  church. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Robinson,  after  a  long  life  of  active  labor, 
departed  to  his  rest  August  20th,  1869,  at  the  age  of  81.  A 
neat  monument  near  the  church  marks  his  resting  place,  and 
near  him  rest  the  mortal  remains  of  his  father,  Peter  Robinson 
(so  long  identified  with  this  church),  who  died  May  21st,  1849, 
aged  88  years,  2  months,  13  days,  and  also  his  mother,  Phebe 
Robinson,  who  died  in  May,  1834,  aged  70 

Rev.  Judson  Dykeman  died  October  11th,  1875.  aged  70. 

The  pastors  since  Elder  Robinson  have  been  Rev.  James  C. 
Smalley  (who  resigned  in  1877),  Frederick  Kratz,  Daniel  W. 
Sherwood  and  Daniel  Sprague. 

The  first  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1857. 
It  was  a  flourishing  school,  being  under  the  superintendence  of 


H88  HISTORY    OP   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

Bro.  Silas  Eussell.  Since  then  a  Sabbath  school  has  been  main  - 
tained  every  summer.  Preaching  has  always  been  sustained  by 
voluntary  subscriptions,  with  the  exception  of  eight  years  pre- 
vious to  Elder  Robinson's  pastorate,  when  the  sacred  rite  was 
entirely  unobserved.  This  church  has  never  failed  to  come  to 
the  communion  table  at  least  four  times  a  year. 

The  church  at  Farmer's  Mills  was  dedicated  September  16th, 
1840.     The  old  church  was  built  about  1800. 

In  1866,  a  small  number  of  members  seceded  from  the  church 
and  formed  a  new  organization  called  the  "Central  Baptist 
Church  of  Kent."  On  Sept.  22d,  1866,  they  purchased  from 
Samuel  T.  Barrett  "all  that  certain  store  house  known  as  the 
Wm.  Taylor  store,"  with  the  land  on  which  it  stood.  This 
store  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  turnpike,  and  on  the  east 
side  of  a  road  running  south.  The  trustees  of  the  church  were 
Jacob  Wright,  Sarles  Barrett,  and  William  Wright.  The  new 
church  existed  for  a  few  years  and  dissolved.  The  building 
has  since  been  destroyed.  The  church  was  dedicated  February 
26th,  1867.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  0.  J.  Granong,  who  also 
preached  at  Ludingtonville.  Rev.  William  James  was  there  in 
1873. 

Dates  from  burying  ground  by  Baptist  church  at  Farmer's 
Mills: — Pamelia,  wife  of  John  Sprague,  died  1804,  age  37;  An- 
drew Robinson,  March  31st,  1843,  76;  Jemima,  wife,  June  3d, 
1803,  35;  Elisha  Robinson,  Feb.  22d,  1860,  62;  Andrew  Robin- 
son, Sept.  17th,  1866,  63;  Seth  Kelly,  June  11th,  1848,  80;  Es- 
ther, wife,  March  14th,  1852,  86;  Joseph  Lee,  May  3d,  1846,  72; 
Abigail,  wife,  Dec.  10th,  1855,  80;  John  H.  Spencer,  May  4th, 
1877,  40;  Rev.  Judson  Dykeman,  Oct.  11th,  1875,  70;  Corinda, 
wife,  Oct.  19th,  1872,  73;  Rev.  Nathaniel  Robinson,  Aug.  20th, 
1869,  81;  Ada,  wife,  Oct.  9th,  1883,  93;  Elijah  Wixon,  May  2d, 
1862,  71;  Joseph  Wright,  Sept.  24th,  1870,  64;  Isaac  Wixon, 
March  26th,  1853,  66;  Zechariah  Smalley,  Jan.  14th,  1851,  85; 
Priscilla,  wife,  Jan.  14th,  1836,  92. 

About  half  a  mile  southeast  from  the  church,  is  a  burying 
ground  laid  out  in  later  years.  Among  the  old  residents  buried 
here  are  the  following:  Samuel  Hawkins,  died  July  17th,  1834, 
age  74;  Abigail,  wife,  Feb.  14th,  1834,  72;  Squire  Mead,  April 
2d,  1860,  81;  Polly,  wife,  Oct.  30th,  1837,  51;  Robert  Russell, 
Feb.  3d,  1858,  69;  Mary,  wife,  Aug.  11th,  1848,  49;  Robert 
Thompson,   Sepf.   17th,   1842,   67;  William   Russell,   Feb.   7th, 


TOWN    OF    KENT.  689 

1846,  07;  Amy,  wife,  June  27th,  1844,  44;  Joseph  Phillips, 
April  10th,  1812,  50;  John  Phillips,  Oct.  13th,  1826,  38; 
Agustus  W.  Haselton,  Feb.  25th,  1839,  50;  Jacob  Barrett,  May 
15th,  1881,  74. 

Adjoining  the  west  line  of  Philipse  Patent,  Lot  No.  6,  and  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  town,  is  the  farm  of  Coleman  Robin- 
son, formerly  supervisor  of  Kent.  This  farm  originally  belonged 
to  Jesse  Barrett,  and  was  given  by  him  to  his  son,  Moseman 
Barrett,  who  was  for  many  years  an  active  elder  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  A  stone  wall  three  rods  west  of  Mr.  Robinson's  house 
is  the  original  line  between  the  Philipse  and  Morris  Lots,  and 
this  line  of  fence  continues  unbroken  to  the  north  corner  of  the 
lots,  on  the  line  of  survey  of  1754.  This  corner  is  some  distance 
north  of  what  is  called  the  county  line,  and  is  on  the  top  of  a 
high  hill.  A  more  perfect  description  of  this  line  will  be  found 
in  the  sketch  of  Carmel, 

Near  th6  southeast  corner  of  the  town,  at  the  head  of  the 
"  Mudroad  "  at  the  place  where  it  is  crossed  by  the  roads  lead- 
ing to  Ludingtonville  and  to  Southeast,  was  a  large  farm  of  500 
acres  which,  on  Aug.  2d,  1766,  was  leased  to  Samuel  Peters. 
This  farm  was  sold  by  Samuel  Gouverneur  and  wife  to  Edward 
Smith,  June  2d,  1824.  This  place  was  the  residence  of  Judge 
Smith  till  his  death,  and  was  one  of  the  business  headquarters 
of  the  town.  The  tract  was  bounded  east  by  Mill  River  and 
north  by  James  Baldwin's  land.  After  Judge  Smith's  death  it 
was  sold  to  Harry  Kent,  and  subsequently  to  its  present  owner, 
Albert  E.  Nichols. 

North  of  this,  on  the  Horse  Pound  road,  was  the  former  resi- 
dence of  Hon.  John  Jewett,  the  first  clerk  of  Putnam  county. 
He  was  born  in  Pawling  and  came  to  Kent  in  1795.  He  was  a 
magistrate  for  many  years .  and  member  of  the  Legislature  in, 
1802,  also  associate  judge  and  commissioner  to  locate  the  county 
buildings.  In  1818  he  moved  to  Tioga  county,  where  he 
died,  April  17th,  1849,  aged  93.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revo- 
lution. 

The  east  line  of  the  town  is  the  same  as  the  east  line  of  Lot 
No.  6  of  Philipse  Patent.  This  line  is  a  few  rods  east  of  the 
house  of  Lewis  G.  Robinson.  About  80  rods  south  of  this 
house  on  the  same  line,  is  the  corner  of  the  short  Lots  7  and  8^ 
which  is  more  perfectly  described  in  the  town  of  Patterson.    To 

44 


690  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

the  north  of  Mr.  Robinson's  place  the  line  runs  up  over  the  top 
of  a  very  high  mountain.  This  line,  continued,  strikes  the  rail- 
road station  at  Reynoldsville,  on  the  N.  Y.  &  JST.  E.  Railroad. 
This  is  about  50  rods  north  of  what  is  considered  the  county  line 
and  is  in  the  town  of  Pawling.  Directly  at  the  station  is  a  small 
brook,  which  crosses  the  line,  the  highway  and  the  railroad 
almost  at  the  same  point.  This,  in  the  survey  of  1754,  was 
called  "Campbell's  Brook,"  from  John  Campbell,  who  had 
a  house  on  the  west  side  of  it.  The  original  northeast 
corner  of  Lot  No.  6  is  35  chains  north  of  the  place  where  the 
line  crosses  the  brook.  This  corner  is  the  northeast  corner  of 
the  land  of  James  Holmes  and  the  northwest  corner  of  a  tract 
belonging  to  ^ilas  Abbott,  which  is  described  in  the  sketch  of 
the  town  of  Patterson.  For  some  distance  above  the  station 
the  line  runs  along  a  road,  but  leaves  it  as  the  highway  turns  to 
the  west. 

The  farm  of  Mr.  Lewis  G.  Robinson  originally  belonged  to 
Capt.  Joseph  Dykeman,  a  brave  oflBcer  in  the  Revolution, 
and  the  ancestor  of  the  family  of  that  name,  so  numerous  in 
this  county. 

In  the  south  part  of  the  town  are  located  the  County  Alms 
House  and  Farm,  a  more  extended  notice  of  which  will  be  found 
in  another  chapter.  On  the  road  from  Carmel  to  the  County 
Farm  is  the  residence  of  William  D.  Northrup.  This  home- 
stead is  noted  as  the  birthplace  of  Daniel  Drew'.  The  farm  was 
the  home  of  his  father,  Gilbert  Drew,  for  many  years.  After 
his  death  it  was  owned  for  a  time  by  Gen.  James  Townsend,  and 
then  passed  to  the  father  of  the  present  owner.  The  old  house 
where  the  boyhood  of  Daniel  Drew  was  passed  was  torn  down 
to  make  room  for  the  present  residence. 

LuDiNGTONViLLE. — This  is  a  village  situated  near  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  town  and  at  the  intersection  of  several  im- 
portant roads,  and  during  the  Revolution  was  on  the  direct 
route  between  Hartford  and  West  Point  and  Pishkill.  The 
stream  that  runs  through  the  place  affords  an  excellent  water 
power,  which  has  been  used  from  a  period  before  the  Revolu- 

'  Daniel  Drew  originated  the  term  "  water  stock."  He  was  a  drover  in  early 
life,  and  one  day  when  a  party  desired  to  seU  him  some  inflated  stock,  said  : 
■■'  That  stock  makes  me  think  of  old  farmer  Brooks  up  in  '  Put,'  who  used  to  salt 
and  water  his.gtock  to  make  his  cattle  weigh  heavy,  when  he  sold  them!"'  The 
broker  told  the  story  in  the  street  and  it  became  an  adage. 


TOWW   OF   KENT.  691 

tion.  The  following  sketch  of  the  person  from  whom  the  place 
derives  its  name,  will  be  of  interest  to  all  who  feel  any  pleas- 
ure in  keeping  in  remembrance  the  names  of  the  worthies  of 
the  past.  The  mill  at  this  place  which  was  the  foundation  of 
the  village,  was  built  previous  to  the  Kevolution. 

CoL.  Henry  Ludington,  who  was  one  of  the  foi-emost  citi- 
zens of  this  county,  and  a  jjrominent  officer  in  the  Revolution, 
was  descended  from  William  Ludington,  of  Branford,  Conn., 
who  died  in  1662.  He  had  children:  William,  Henry  (who  died 
in  1676),  Hannah,  John  and  Thomas.  William,  2d,  married 
Martha  Rose,  and  had  children:  Henry,  Eleanor  and  William 
(born  September  25th,  1686)  and  several  children  by  a  second 
marriage. 

Henry  married  Sarah  Collins,  in  1700.  Their  children  were: 
Daniel,  William,  3d  (born  September  6th,  1702),  Sarah,  Dinah, 
Lydia,  Nathaniel,  Moses,  Aaron,  Elisha  (born  January  7th, 
1716),  Sarah  and  Thomas. 

William,  3d,  married  Mary  Knowles,  in  1730.  Their  children 
were:  Submit,  Mary,  Col.  Henry  (born  May  25th,  1738),  Lydia 
(wife  of  Aaron  Buckley),  Samuel,  Rebecca,  Anna  and  Stephen. 
This  family  lived  in  Branford  where  their  house  was  burned 
May  20th,  1754,  and  Rebecca  and  Anna  perished  in  it. 

Elisha,  son  of  William,  3d,  came  to  Dutchess  county  before 
the  Revolution  and  had  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Rumbout  Pre- 
cinct, the  present-  town  of  Fishkill.  He  died  about  1778,  leav- 
ing children,  Comfort,  Asa,  Elisha,  Lydia.  Abigail.  The  last, 
who  w^s  married  to  her  cousin.  Col.  Henry  Ludington,  was  born 
May  8th,  1745. 

Colonel  Ludington,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  enlisted  in  the 
2d  Regiment  of  Connecticut  troops  commanded  by  Col.  Nathan 
Whiting,  and  formerly  by  Colonel  Goodrich,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Captain  Foote's  company.  He  served  in  the  old  French 
war,  'from  1756  to  1760,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Lake  George 
where  he  saw  his  uncle  and  cousin  killed  only  a  short  distance 
from  him.  He  served  through  the  war  as  a  private  until  near 
its  close,  when  he  was  put  in  charge  of  a  band  of  invalid  soldiers, 
whom  he  conducted  home  from  Canada  in  safety  through  the 
wilds  of  the  northern  portion  of  New  England,  which  was  then 
but  sparsely  settled.  In  1760  he  married  his  cousin,  Abigail 
Ludington  (May  1st),    and   removed   to   Fredericksburg    Pre- 


692  HISTORY    OP   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

cinct  soon  after.  Here  he  leased  a  tract  of  more  than  200 
acres,  at  the  north  end  of  Lot  No.  6,  and  built  the  mills  at  the 
place  which  has  since  borne  the  name  of  Ludingtonville.  The 
exact  time  when  he  came  to  this  part  of  the  county  is  unknown, 
but  as  his  name  is  not  mentioned  in  the  survey  of  Lot  6  in  1762, 
it  could  not  have  been  before  that  year.  The  tract  of  229  acres 
was  sold  to  Col.  Henry  Ludington  by  Samuel  Gouverneur  and 
wife,  July  15th,  1812.  Previous  to  that  time  it  had  been  held 
by  lease. 

From  the  time  of  his  coming,  to  this  county  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  he  was  prominently  connected  with  public  affairs  of  this 
section  of  country.  As  a  member  of  the  committee  of  safety, 
and  as  a  military  officer,  his  career  was  marked  with  the  greatest 
energy  and  patriotism.  He  was  member  of  the  Legislature 
from  Dutchess  county,  from  1778  to  1781,  and  from  1786  to  1787. 
Colonel  Ludington's  children  were:  Sybil,  born  April. '5th,  1761, 
died  1839,  married  Henry  Ogden';  Rebecca,  born  January 
24th,  1763,  married  Henry  Pratt,  May  7th,  1794;  Mary,  born 
July  31st,  1765,  married  David  Travis,  September  12th,  1785; 
Archibald,  born  July  6th,  1767;  Henry,  2d,  born  March  28th, 
1769,  went  to  Catskill  (his  sons,  Lewis  and  Joseph,  were  the 
builders  of  three  of  the  '-monitors");  Derick,  born  February 
17th,  1771,  died  unmarried,  December,  1840;  Tertullus,  born 
April  19th,  1773;  Abigail,  born  February  26th,  1776;  Anna, 
born  March  14th,  1778,  married  Joseph  Oolwell;  Frederick,  born 
June  10th,  1782,  died  July  23d,  1852;  Sophia,  born  May  16th, 
1784,  married  Mr.  Ferris;  Lewis,  born  June  25th,  1786,  died  Sep- 
tember 3d,  1857. 

Colonel  Ludington  died  January  24th,  1817.  His  wife,  Abigail, 
died  August  3d,  1825,  aged  80.  Frederick  and  Lewis  Luding- 
ton commenced  keeping  a  store  at  Ludingtonville,  May  6th, 
1806.  Here  they  conducted  the  business  with  great  success  till 
1838,  when  the  latter  went  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  engaged 
extensively  in  business  and  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  State,  though  residing  at  Carmel  in  Putnam 
county.  He  died  at  Kenosha,  Wis.,  September  3d,  1857,  and 
was  buried  in  Raymond  Hill  Cemetery  at  Carmel.  Mr.  Luding- 
ton married  Polly,  daughter  of  Samuel  Townsend.     Their  chil- 

'  A  grandson  of  Sybil,  Major  Edmond  A.  Ogdeu  of  the  United  States  Army, 
died  at  Fort  Riley,  Kansas  Territory,  in  18o5,  where  the  soldiers  under  him  built 
a, monument  to  his  memory. 


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TOWN    or   KENT.  693 

dren  were:  Laura  (wife  of  John  Hustis),  Delia,  William  Edgar, 
Robert,  Charles  H.  (of  New  York  city),  James  (of  Wisconsin), 
Lavinia  E.,  Emily  (wife  of  Philip  Rountree),  and  Amelia  (wife 
of  John  C.  Angell). 

Frederick  Lndington  died  July  23d,  1852,  at  the  age  of  70. 
He  married  Susannah  Griffiths,  and  their  children  were:  Harri- 
son, born  July  30th,  1812,  governor  of  Wisconsin  in  1876; 
George,  born  June  11th,  1814;  Caroline,  wife  of  Rowland  Pat- 
rick; Nelson,  born  January  18th,  1818;  Oliver,  born  April  26th, 
1820;  Harriet,  wife  of  Benjanin  Denton;  Ann  M..  wife  of  John 
Townsend;  Emily,  who  died  young;  Abby  J.,  wife  of  Lyman  H. 
Burchard;  Joseph,  born  February  4th,  1829;  Samuel,  born  Au- 
gust 30th,  1830;  Cornelia,  wife  of  Moseman  Barrett;  Frederick 
H.,  born  March  10th,  1834,  now  living  at  Ludingtonville; 
Prances,  wife  of  Rev.  John  L.  Benedic.t:  and  Lewis,  born  May 
1st,  1838. 

George  Ludington,  the  second  son,  married  Emiline  C.  Travis, 
and  his  family  now  reside  in  Carmel. 

From  an  old  account  book  of  Colonel  Ludington' s  are  takep 
the  following  memoranda: 

"  Monday  November  1776.  The  Committee  for  inquiring  into 
and  detecting  conspirades  formed  against  the  State  of  New 
York,  to  Henry  Ludington  Dr.  To  4  days  service  riding  with 
Nathaniel  Sackett  in  order  to  collect  evidence,  4  days  at  21  S. 
4d.     £4-5-4." 

"  Thursday  Nov.  21st,  1776.  Then  began  the  service  of  buy- 
ing hay  and  grain  for  the  use  of  the  Continental  army  by  an 
agreement  of  Wm.  Duer.'" 

"Jan.  1st,  1777.  Then  stopped  in  the  service  of  buying  hay 
being  in  all  41  days  at  20  s.  per  day." 

"  Nov.,  1777.  Then  engaged  in  the  Commissary  Department 
under  the  deputy  Commissary  General,  and  continued  on  ser- 
vice until  the  8th  of  January,  48  days  in  all,  at  32s.  per  day. 
£58,16,0." 

Hon.  William  Ellery,  who  was  a  member  of  the  First  Conti- 
nental Congress,  and  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
left  behind  him  a  very  interesting  and  amusing  account  of  a 
horseback  journej^  from  his  home  at  Dighton,  Mass.,  to  York, 
Penn.,  where  he  was  going  to  attend  to  his  Congressional  duties. 

'Wm.  Duer,  John  Jay,  Nathaniel  Sackett  and  Mr.  Piatt,  were  the  Committee 
of  Safety  at  that  time. 


694  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

He  Started  October  20th,  1777,  and  reached  his  journey's  end 
(450  miles)  on  the  13th  of  November.  On  his  route  he  stopped 
at  Colonel  Ludington's.     We  quote  his  words: 

"  Road  to  Danbury,  Nov.  5th,  We  intended  when  we  reached 
Litchfield  to  have  gone  to  PeekskilL  and  there  crossed  the  North 
river,  but  when  we  got  to  Danbury  were  dissuaded  from  it*  by 
the  Person  at  whose  house  we  breslfefasted,  who  told  us  that 
there  were  Tories  and  Horse  stealers  on  that  Road.  This  account 
occasioned  us  to  take  the  Pishkill  road.  Accordingly  we  sat  off? 
bated  at  the  foot  of  Quaker  Hill  about  7  miles  from  Danbury, 
and  reached  Col.  Ludington's  8  miles  from  the  foregoing 
stage  at  night.  Here  mens  meminisse  horret!  We  were  told 
by  our  landlady  the  Col.  was  gone  to  New  Windsor,  that  there 
was  a  guard  on  the  road  between  Fishkill  and  Peekskill,  that 
one  of  the  guard  had  been  killed,  about  6  miles  off,  and  that  a 
man  not  long  before  had  been  shot  at  on  the  road  to  Fishkill 
not  more  than  3  miles  from  their  house  and  that  a  guard  had 
been  placed  there  for  some  time  past,  and  had  been  dismissed 
only  three  days.  We  were  now  in  a  doleful  pickle,  not  a  male 
in  the  house  but  Don  Quixote'  and  his  man  Sancho  and  poor 
Pill  Grarlick,  and  nd  lodging  for  the  first  and  last,  but  in  a  lower 
room  without  any  shiitters  to  the  windows  or  locks  to  the  doors. 
What  was  to  be  done  %  What  could  be  done  ?  In  the  first  place 
we  fortified  our  Stomachs  with  Beefsteak  and  Grogg  and  then 
went  to  work  to  fortify  ourselves  against  an  attack.  The  Kuight 
of  the  woeful  countenance  asked  whether  there  were  any  guns 
in  the  house.  Two  were  produced,  one  of  them  in  good  order. 
Nails  were  fixed  over  the  windows,  the  Guns  placed  in  a  corner 
of  the  room,  a  pistol  under  each  of  our  pillows,  and  the  Hanger 
against  the  bed  post,  thus  accouteredand  prepared  at  all  points 
our  heroes  went  to  bed.  Whether  the  valiant  Knight  slept  a 
wink  or  not.  Pill  Garlick  cannot  say  for  he  was  so  overcome 
with  fatigue,  and  his  animal  spirits  were  so  solaced  with  the 
beef  and  the  grogg  that  every  trace  of  fear  was  utterly  erased 
from  his  imagination  and  he  slept  soundly  from  evening  tilJ 
morning,  save  that  at  midnight,  as  he  fancieth,  he  was  waked 
by  his  companion,  with  this  interesting  Question,  delivered  with 
a  tremulous  voice,   'What  noise  is  that  ?'    He  listened  and  soon 

'By  Don  Quixote  and  Sancho,  Mr.  Ellery  alludes  to  his  companion  in  travel, 
Hon.  Ftancis  Dana,  and  his  servant,  and  employs  the  title  of  Pill  Garlick  for 
himself. 


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TOWN   OF   KENT.  695 

discovered  that  the  noise  was  occasioned  by  some  rats  gnawing 
the  head  of  a  bread  cask.  After  satisfying  the  Knight  about  the 
noise,  he  took  his  second  and  finishing  nap." 

The  next  day  it  snowed.  The  fire  wood  at  this  place  gave  out 
and  Mr.  EUery  and  his  companions  were  forced  to  ride  five  miles 
in  the  storm  to  the  next  stopping  place.  The  description  which 
he  gives  of  the  house  and  its  occupants  is  exceedingly  interest- 
ing, and  gives  a  fair  idea  of  the  manner  in  which  families  at 
that  time  lived  in  all  parts  of  this  section  of  the  country. 

"  We  were  ushered  into  a  room  where  there  was  a  good  fire, 
drank  a  dish  of  tea,  and  were  entertained  during  great  part  of 
the  Evening  with  the  Music  of  the  Spinning  wheels,  and  wool 
cards  and  the  sound  of  the  Shoemaker's  hammer.  For  Adriance 
had  his  Shoemaker's  bench,  his  wife  her  great  wheel  and 
their  girl  her  wool  card  in  the  room  where  we  sat.  This  might 
be  disagreeable  to  your  delicate  macaroni  gentry;  but  by  elevat- 
ing our  voices  a  little,  we  could  and  did,  keep  up  a  conversation 
amidst  the  music;  and  the  reflection  on  the  advantages  result- 
ing from  Manufactures  joined  in  the  good  nature  of  the  landlord 
and  his  wife  made  the  evening  pass  off  very  agreeably." 

This  was  a  picture  of  domestic  life  in  which  each  member  of 
the  family  performed  their  full  part,  and  constant  labor  from 
morn  till  late  at  night,  was  the  daily  order  of  things  in  all  well 
regulated  and  thrifty  families  at  that  time. 

May  4th,  1777,  Col.  Henry  Ludington,  John  Jay  and  Col. 
Thomas  were  appointed  commissioners  to  quell  and  subdue  in- 
surrections and  disaffections  in  the  counties  of  Dutchess  and 
Westchester,  and  directed  to  cooperate  with  Robert  R.  Living- 
ston, Zephaniah  Piatt  and  Matthew  Can  tine  (the  committee  for 
a  like  purpose  in  the  Manor  of  Livingston)  and  to  call  aid  from 
the  militia  of  George  Clinton  and  McDougall  whenever  needful. 
The  commissioners  were  also  commanded  to  use  every  means  in 
their  power  (torture  excepted)  to  compel  the  discovery  of  spies 
or  other  emissaries  of  the  enemy. 

Col.  Ludington  received  from  Gfov.  William  Tryon,  a  com- 
mission as  captain  in  Col.  Beverly  Robinson's  Regiment,  Feb- 
ruary 13th,  1773.  As  soon  as  the  Revolution  broke  out  he 
joined  the  patriot  side,  and  soon  after  received  a  commission  as 
colonel  of  this  regiment  from  the  "Provincial  Congress  for  the 
Colony  of  New  York."  This  commission,  dated  June,  1776, 
and  signed  by  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  president  of  the  Congress 


HISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

(who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island)  is  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  Mr.  Charles  H.  Ludington  of  New  York.  It  is  now 
in  a  dilapidated  condition,  but  a  fac  simile  of  the  remaining 
portion  is  given  in  this  work.  His  command  included  all  the 
militia  of  Philipse  Precinct  and  part  of  Fredericksburg.  In  May, 
1778,  another  commission  as  colonel  was  given  him  by  George 
Clinton,  the  first  governor  of  the  State.  A  fac  simile  of  this 
is  given  and  also  of  his  commission  from  Gov.  Tryon. 

His  activity  and  energy  were  so  conspicuous  and  successful 
in  thwarting  the  plans  of  the  tory  emissaries  of  Gen.  Howe,  that 
a  large  reward  was  offered  by  that  officer  for  his  capture,  dead 
or  alive.  At  one  time  he  came  near  being  captured  by  one 
Prosser  and  a  band  of  tories  under  his  command,  who  sur- 
rounded his  house  at  night.  They  were  discovered  by  two  of 
his  daughters  who  were  acting  as  sentinels.  The  family  were 
aroused,  candles  were  immediately  lighted  in  all  the  rooms,  and 
the  inmates  commenced  passing  and  repassing  the  windows, 
giving  the  impression  of  a  large  number  of  persons  in  the  house. 
The  ruse  was  successful  and  Prosser  and  his  gang  retreated. 
After  the  war  Prosser,  who  for  some  reason  escaped  banishment, 
came  back  and  lived  not  far  from  Col.  Ludington.  The  latter, 
for  some  misdeeds  of  his  former  enemy,  gave  him  a  severe  beat- 
ing with  a  cowhide,  having  met  him  one  day  on  horseback. 
■Col.  Ludington' s  life  was  often  in  danger,  and  once  on  his  re- 
turn from  Patterson,  he  was  shot  at  by  a  band  of  men  in  am- 
l)ush.  One  Joshua  Nickerson,  a  noted  tory,  collected  a  large 
band  over  the  swamp  in  Patterson,  and  was  about  to  march 
with  them  to  New  York.  The  fact  became  known  to  a  tenant 
of  Col.  Ludington,  who,  joining  the  company,  learned  that 
the  captain  kept  his  master  roll  concealed  in  a  hollow  cane. 
The  result  was  the  capture  of  the  entire  gang,  and  they  were 
quickly  marched  off  to  jail  in  Poughkeepsie. 

Capt.  John  Holmes  was  another  royalist  who  was  on  terms 
of  enmity  with  Col.  Ludington,  and  often  boasted  that  the 
colonel  would  yet  go  with  him  (as  a  prisoner)  "  on  a  visit  to 
Gen.  Howe."  Col.  Ludington,  however,  surrounded  his  com- 
pany one  night,  and  captured  them  after  a  desperate  struggle. 

Col.  Ludington  was  one  of  the  few  who  knew  the  secret  of 
Enoch  Crosby,  the  original  of  "Harvey  Birch,"  the  hero  of 
Cooper's  novel,  the  "  Spy,"  and  Crosby  often  found  needed  rest 
and  refreshment  at  his  house.  When  the  British  under  General 


TOWN   OF   KENT.  697 

Tryon  in  Api'il,  1777,  surprised  and  burned  Danbiiry  and  the 
military  stores  there  collected,  Col.  Ludington  was  summoned 
by  messenger  to  aid  in  its  defense.  His  regiment  arrived  too 
late  to  be  of  assistance  in  saving  the  town,  but  joined  the  forces 
of  Gen.  Wooster,  Silliman  and  Arnold  who  attacked  the  enemy 
at  Eidgefield,  where  Gen.  Wooster  was  mortally  wounded,  and 
continued  to  harrass  them  until  they  re  embarked  for  New 
York  in  their  boats  on  the  Sound. 

His  regiment  was  brought  into  active  service  at  various  other 
times  during  the  war,  occupying  as  it  did  a  responsible  position 
on  the  northern  portion  of  the  border  land  where  the  cowboys 
and  skinners  were  a  perpetual  terror,  and  where  Gen.  Howe 
was  constantly  seeking  supplies  for  his  army  in  New  York.  At 
the  battle  of  White  Plains,  Col.  Ludington  was  detailed  as  aid- 
de-camp,  by  Gen.  Washington,  who  afterward  complimented 
him  on  his  active  assistance.  Washington  was  at  Col.  Lud- 
ington's  house,  on  several  occasions,  and  once  in  company  with 
Count  Rochambeau. 

"  Fredericksburg  in  Dutchess  County,  March  15th,  1776. 

"Pursuant  to  a  resolve  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
York,  passed  the  9th  of  August,  1775,  the  Committee  proceeded 
to  call  together  the  several  companies  of  militia  in  this  Precinct, 
for  choice  of  officers  as  follows: 

"  Beat  No.  1,  Friday  March  8th,  the  company  did  meet  and 
under  the  inspection  of  Joshua  Myrick,  Daniel  Mertine  and 
David  Myrick,  three  of  the  Committee  did  choose  Ebenezer 
Robinson,  Capt.;  Nathaniel  Scribner,  1st  Lieut.;  Hezekiah  Mead 
Jr.,  2d  Lieut.;  Obadiah  Chase,  Ensign. 

"Beat  No.  2,  Monday,  March  11th,  the  Company  met  and 
under  the  inspection  of  David  Waterbury  and  Moses  Richards, 
two  of  the  Committee  did  elect  David  Waterbury,  Capt. ;  Isaac 
Townsend,  1st  Lieut.;  Jonathan  Webb,  2d  Lieut.;  Timothy 
Delavan,  Ensign. 

"  Beat  No.  3,  Sept.  20th,  1776,  the  Company  met  and  under 

the  inspection  of Paddock,  Simeon  Tryon,  David  Crosby, 

three  of  the  Committee  made  choice  of  Jonathan  Paddock, 
Capt.;  Jeremiah  Surges,  2d  Lieut.;  Joseph  Dykeman,  Ensign. 
N.  B.  Simeon  Tryon  is  appointed  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Con- 
tinental army. 

"  Beat  No.  4,  Tuesday,  March  12th,  the  Company  met  and 
under  the  inspection  of  Solomon  Hopkins,   David  Myrick  and 


t598  HISTORY    OF   PITTNAM    COUNTY. 

David  Smith  did  elect  John  Crane,  Capt.;  Elijah  Townsend,  1st 
Lieut.;  David  Smith,  2d  Lieut.;  and  John  Berry,  Ensign. 

"  Beat  No.  5,  Wednesday,  March  13th,  the  company  met  and 
under  the  inspection  of  Solomon  Hopkins  and  Joshua  Myrick, 
tv7o  of  the  Committee  did  elect  Wm.  Colwell,  Capt.;  Joel 
Mead,  1st  Lieut.;  Stephen  Ludington  2d  Lieut.;  and  David 
Porter,  Ensign. 

"Beat  No.  6,  Thursday,  March  14th,  the  Company  met  and 
under  theinspection  of  Isaac  Chapman  and  Joshua  Crosby,  two 
of  the  committee  did  choose  David  Hecock,  Capt. ;  William 
Calkin,  1st  Lieut. ;  and  Moses  Sage,  Ensign. 

"The. above  gentlemen  are  all  persons  of  respectable  char- 
acters,   have   been  friendly   to   liberty,    and   have   signed    the 
general  association  recommended  by  the  Congress. 
"  By  order  of  the  Committee. 

"  Dayid  Smith,  Chairman  Pro  tern. 

"  A  true  copy, 
."  Joshua  Myeick,  Clerk." 

"  N.B. — Increase  Bennet  afterwards  refused  to  serve  as  lieu- 
tenant." 

On  the  6th  of  May,  1776,  a  letter  was  sent  to  the  Provincial 
Congress,  by  the  committee  of  Dutchess  county,  stating  that 
the  southern  regiment  of  militia  was  so  large  and  covered  such 
an  extent  of  country,  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  divide 
it  into  two  regiments.  Of  these,  one  was  to  contain  all  the 
militia  in  the  Southeast  Precinct,  and  the  militia  in  the  northern 
and  middle  short  lots  in  Fredericksburg  Precinct.  Of  this  regi- 
ment, John  Field  was  colonel;  Andrew  Morehouse,  lieutenant; 
Col.  Jonathan  Paddock,  1st  major;  Isaac  Tallman,  2d  major- 
Isaac  Crane,  adjutant;  and  Reuben  Crosby,  quartermaster.  This 
regiment  included  also  the  militia  in  Pawling. 

The  other  regiment  included  all  the  militia  in  Fredericksburg 
(except  as  above)  and  Philipse  Precincts.  The  officers  were: 
Moses  Dusenbury,  colonel;  Henry  Ludington,  lieutenant  colonel; 
Reuben  Ferris,  1st  major;  Joshua  Nelson,  2d  major;  Joshua 
Myrick,  adjutant;  Solomon  Hopkins,  quartermaster. 

"  Sir:  We  esteem  it  our  duty  to  suggest  to  your  Honorable 
House,  that  we  think  the  raising  a  company  of  rangers  or  connty 
guards  in  the  southern  part  of  Dutchess  County  is  very  neces- 
sary. Our  external  enemies  seem  to  strain  every  nerve  to  carry 
their  insidious  plans  into  execution.     We  have  too  much  reason 


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r*f«-?-»»  ,y«-»^ 


Reduced  Fac-slmile  of  order  of  arrest  issued  hy 
■Win,  Duer,   Chairman  of  CDmmlttee  on  Conspiracies,  of  the  "  ProTTlncial  Congress 
of  the   State  of  Ne-w  York"  to  Col,  Henry  Ludington, 

(OngiQal    paper  id  poaseaaion  of  Gharlea  H    Ludmgton      Neiv   7orlc    City.) 


AHTOTYPE,     E.     BIEH8TADT      - 


TOWN   OF   KENT.  69$) 

to  believe  we  have  daily  spies  from  the  British  army  in  our 
neighborhood.  We  are  now,  Sir,  in  pursuit  of  two  persons 
whom  we  have  lately  discovered,  of  whose  villainous  purpose 
we  have  sufficient  evidence;  our  treacherous  neighbors  are  in  a, 
continual  agitation,  we  wish  they  and  their  connections  may  h& 
now  laboring  under  the  last  expiring  struggles  of  that  inhuman 
spirit  which  has  so  long  possessed  them.  However  that  may 
be,  we  beg  leave  to  say  that  a  strict  attention  to  their  motions 
is  our  duty,  and  that  the  concurrence  of  the  Convention  with 
what  is  above  recommended,  we  think  may  serve,  to  detect  them 
in  a  great  degree.  If  the  Honorable  House  should  honor  us 
with  their  concurrence,  we  beg  leave  to  recommend  Nathaniel 
Scribner,  of  Fredericksburg  Precinct  as  Captain,  and  Joseph 
Field  in  Southeast  Precinct  as  lieutenant,  of  the  Company, 
and  that  they  are  authorized  to  enlist  their  Company  as  sooa 
as  possible.  For  further  intelligence  in  this  matter,  we  would 
refer  the  House  to  our  worthy  friend  Doct.  Crane. 

"We  are.  Sir, 
"  Yours  and  the  Conventions  very  humble  Servts., 

"  John  Field, 
"  Jonathan  Paddock.'^ 

"  Poughkeepsie,  Oct.  11th,  1779. 
"  Brigade  Orders: 

•'  Agreeably  to  General  orders  of  the  10th  inst.,  issued  by  his- 
Excellency  the  Govnr,  i078  men  including  non  commissioned, 
officers  Drums  and  Fifes  are  to  be  detached  out  of  Col.  Com- 
manding Swartwout's  Brigade  of  Militia  to  continue  in  service 
for  the  term  of  three  months  unless  the  particular  service  for 
which  they  are  drawn  shall  be  sooner  completed.  The  detach- 
ments from  the  several  Regiments  in  this  Brigade  to  be  as  fol- 
lows: 

"  From  Col.  Grahams  Regt.        196  Men 

Col.  Frears  156 

Col.  Hopkins  192 

Col.  Fields  117 

Col.  Ludingtons  144 

Col.  Van  Derburgs  118 

Col.  Brinkerhoffs  155 

1078 


700  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

"  The  above  detachments  to  be  formed  into  two  Regiments 
under  command  of  Cols.  Graham  and  Hopkins.  Col.  Graham's 
Field  officers  to  be  Lieat.  Col.  Birdsall  and  Maj.  Hill.  Col.  Lud- 
ington  and  his  officers  being  absent,  he  will  with  advice  of  his 
field  officers,  nominate  and  furnish  one  captain  and  three  sub- 
alterns-to  join  Col.  Hopkins'  Regt.  The  above  detachments  to 
be  completed,  and  at  the  place  of  Rendezvous  without  delay, 
completely  equipped  agreeable  to  Genl.  orders  to  which  the 
most  strictest  attention  is  to  be  paid. 

"By  order  of  Col.  Comidg., 

"  Jac.  Swaetwout." 

Second  Baptist  Church,  in  Kent.— The  church  at  Luding- 
tonville  bears  the  above  name,  and  was  organized  December 
5th,  1844,  at  which  time  thirty-seven  male  members  and  forty- 
three  female  members  were  organized  as  an  independent 
church.  The  most  of  these  were  formerly  members  of  the 
First  Kent  Baptist  Church.  It  may  be  stated  that  there  was 
a  "Second  Kent  Baptist  Church,"  which  held  covenant  and 
business  meetings  in  a  school  house  near  Elder  Moseman  Bar- 
rett's (now  homestead  of  Coleman  Robinson),of  which  he  was 
pastor,  worshipping  alternate  Sabbaths  with  the  Kent  and 
Fishkill  Church.  This  body,  with  the  help  of  some  at  Luding- 
tonville,  built  the  church  here,  and  worshipped  in  it  in  the 
year  1844,  and  called  it  their  meeting  house.  The  church  was 
dedicated  February  6th,  1844. 

Elder  John  Warren  was  the  first  pastor,  preaching  here  half 
the  time,  and  continued  here  as  late  as  1852,  and  his  name  is 
immediately  connected  with  the  history  of  this  society.  In  1850 
Rev.  Abijah  Russell  preached  for  one- quarter  of  the  time,  and 
in  January,  1853,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  employ  a  min- 
ister, and  another  to  raise  the  back  salary  of  Elder  Warren. 
The  former  did  not  effect  anything.  We  trust  the  latter  was 
more  successful.  In  1854  the  church  was  supplied"  by  Brother 
J.  Smalley,  and  in  this  year  Rev.  G.  P.  Hendrickson,  then 
pastor  of  the  Patterson  Baptist  Church,  was  encouraged  to 
preach  in  Ludingtonville  on  Sunday  afternoons.  For  two  or 
three  years  the  church  was  not  prosperous,  and  the  house  of 
worship  was  closed  much  of  the  time.  Elder  Hendrickson 
continued  to  supply  the  church  for  three  years,  and  he  bap- 
tized fifty-three,  and    S.  B.  Denton  and   John    Barrett  were 


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-~~-^  -     t^y 


Reduced   Fac-slmile  af  Letter  from  Nath'l.    Sackett, 
Delegate  tn  the   "Prnvincial  Congress  of  the  State  of  Ne-ot  York,"  from 
Dutchess  County  and  member  of  the  Committee  on  Conspiracies, 

(Original  paper  in  poeaeaBion  of  Gharlaa  H     Ludington,  New    York  City.) 


AHTOTVPE,     E.    BIER8TA0T 


TOWN    OF   KENT.  701 

elected  deacons.  In  1857  Elder  Warren  again  became  pastor, 
and  remained  one  year.  He  was  followed  by  J.  Benedict,  a 
licentiate,  who  also  remained  a  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  C. 
W.  Palmer,  a  licentiate  also.  In  1861  Brother  Addison  Kelly 
was  agreed  with  to  preach  for  whatsoever  the  church  felt  dis^ 
posed  to  give  him.  He  remained  three  years.  In  April,  1864, 
Rev.  E.  Jewett  was  emploj'ed  for  one  year.  He  was  the  first 
pastor  that  united  with  the  church.  Rev.  A.  D.  Watrous,  an 
Evangelist,  followed  for  six  months,  and  baptized  thirty-eight. 
Elder  Hendrickson  was  the  next  pastor,  from  March,  1866,  to 
April,  1867.  Rev.  J.  G.  Ganung  was  chosen  February  13th, 
1867.  and  remained  till  January  1st,  1869.  Rev.  Daniel  W. 
Sherwood  came  in  1870,  and  is  the  present  pastor. 

In  1869  the  parsonage  was  built.  The  church  was  repaired 
and  re-dedicated  December  24th,  1878.  The  church  stands  on 
the  east  side  of  the  road  about  one-quarter  mile  south  from  the 
corner  of  Ludingtonville.  The  land  was  given  to  the  trustees 
by  Frederick  Ludington  June  1st,  1843. 

In  the  burial  ground  near  the  church  rest  the  early  residents 
of  the  vicinity,  and  from  the  tombstones  we  copy  the  following 
dates  :  Calvin  Kirk,  died  April  23d,  1880,  age  75;  Anderson 
Merritt,  Feb.  6th,  1877,  85;  Prince  Cornwell,  Dec.  29th,  1855, 105; 
Frederick  Ludington,  July  23d,  1852,  78;  Susan,  wife,  Aug.  29th, 
1855,  60;  Solomon  Disbrow,  Aug.  30th,  1851,  70;  Henry  Lewis, 
Jan.  1st,  1864,  81;  Abigail,  wife,  April  12th,  1852,  61;  Henry 
Light,  April  20th,  1852;  Joshua  White,  Jan.  24th,  1851,  61; 
Samuel  White,  April  20th,  1859,  75;  Zephaniah  Dakins,  Aug. 
11th,  1878,  78;  Joseph  Sprague,  March  16th,  1879,  89;  Fanny, 
wife,  Dec.  25th,  1874,  79;  Lewis  Mead,  Jan.  15th,  1842,  77;  Sarah, 
wife,  Aug.  3d,  1845,  81;  Isaac  Ballard,  Sept.  5th,  1882,  81;  Jane, 
wife,  June  9th,  1871,  53;  Morgan  W.  Brownell,  March  4th,  1884, 
82;  Peter  Bennett,  Nov.  20th,  1867,  65;  Greeche  Smith,  March 
17th,  1866,  90;  John  A.  Bowen,  Dec.  18th,  1883,  80;  William 
Mead,  Sept.  10th,  1870,.  67. 

A  small  private  burying  ground,  on  the  corner  of  the  road 
running  west  -from  Ludingtonville,  has  the  following  dates : 
Phebe,  wife  of  Stephen  Merritt,  born  Sept.  22d,  1772,  died  May 
7th,  1842,  aged  69;  Anon  Disbrow,  died  Feb.  27th,  1865,  age  61; 
Locky,  wife,  March  3d,  1877,  72;  ThaddeusKetcham,  April  24th, 
1831,  31;  Ezekiel  Ketcham,  Oct.  26th,  1853,  82;  Mary,  wife,  Aug. 
3d,  1849,  67.       ' 


"702  HISTORY    OF    PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Change  of  Boundary.— "Act  to  alter  the  boundary  line 
between  the  towns  of  Kent  and  Philipstown,  in  the  County  of 
Putnam,"  passed  March  11th,  1879. 

"  I.  The  boundary  line  between  the  towns  of 'Kent  and  Philips- 
town  is  altered  so  as  to  be  run  as  follows  :  Beginning  at  what  is 
known  as  the  Sunk  bridge,  on  the  Putnam  county  road,  adjoin- 
ing the  northern  boundary  line  of  Putnam  Valley,  and  thence 
running  northerly,  on  a  line  parallel  with  the  now  westerly 
boundary  of  the  town  of  Kent,  to  the  Dutchess  County  line; 
thence  easterly  with  the  said  Dutchess  County  line  to  the  pres- 
ent northwest  corner  of  the  boundary  line  of  the  said  town  of 
Kent;  thence  Southerly  with  the  present  westerly  line  of  said 
town  of  Kent,  to  the  said  Putnam  County  road,  and  adjoining 
the  northerly  line  of  the  town  of  Putnam  Valley;  thence  west- 
erly along  said  road  and  with  the  said  northerly  line  of  Putnam 
Valley,  to  the  place  of  beginning;  and  that  all  that  part  of  and 
territory  of  said  town  of  Philipstown,  lying  within  the  above 
described  boundaries  is  hereby  taken  from  the  said  town  of 
Philipstown  and  annexed  to  the  said  town  of  Kent,  and  shall 
liereafter  form  and  be  a  part  of  said  town  of  Kent." 

The  tract  of  land  thus  added  to  this  town  is  mostly  wooded 
mountains  and  with  comparatively  few  inhabitants.  Large  tracts 
of  mountain  land,  in  this  part  of  the  town,  were  bought  by  the 
^'Pishkill  Iron  Company."  This  company  was  incorporated  by 
Act  of  the  Legislature,  March  24th,  1834,  and  by  its  provisions, 
-James  Emott,  Nath.  P.  Talmadge,  Walter  Cummingham,  James 
Hooker,  Ira  Spooner,  Samuel  R.  Halsey,  Rnfus  Puller,  Nath.  P. 
Perry,  Uriah  Gregory,  Solomon  V.  Frost,  Aaron  Frost,  Tennis 
Brinkerhoflf,  Richard  Dewitt,  Andrew  Stockholm  and  AbnerW. 
Spooner  were  made  a  company  "for  the  purpose  of  mining  and 
■working  ores,  and  manufacturing  iron  and  steel  and  vending  the 
«ame,"  with  power  to  hold  lands  in  Dutchess  and  Putnam  coun- 
ties, and  the  capital  was  $100,000.  1,100  acres  of  land  were  sold 
to  this  company  by  Frederick  Parks,  "lying  at  the  junction  of 
the  Wieopee  and  Shenandooh  roads,"  January  29th,  1838,  and 
many  smaller  tracts  were  bought  from  various  parties. 

Putnam  County  Bank.— This  institation  was  established 
November  22d,  1848,  the  incorporators  being  Nelson  Robinson, 
Robert  W.  Kelly  and  David  Kent.  The  place  of  business  was 
at  Farmer's  Mills,  the  office  being  in  the  store  building,  now 


TOWN   01'    KENT.  703 

owned  by  Reuben  R.  Barrett.  The  capital  was  $100,000.  This 
bank  while  at  Farmer's  Mills  did  not  prove  successful,  and  it 
finally  merged  into  the  "  Bank  of  Kent,"  and  the  place  of  busi- 
ness was  changed  to  Ludingtonville.  It  finally  ceased  to  exist 
at  the  time  of  the  establishment  of  the  National  Banks,  in  1865. 
The  "Bank  of  Kent "  was  organized  in  1856,  David  Kent  being 
president,  and  George  Ludington,  cashier.  The  place  of  business 
was  at  Ludingtonville. 

Union  Cemetery  Association,  Kent. — This  company  was 
organized  at  a  meeting  held  May  23d,  1868,  and  the  trustees  ap- 
pointed were:  John  Bennett,  Isaac  Bennett,  Ezekiel  Merritt  and 
Henry  C.  Light.  The  land  for  the  cemetery  was  sold  to  the  as- 
sociation by  John  Hulse,  two  acres  "  situated  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Westchester  and  Dutchess  turnpike."  An  elegant  map  is 
in  the  county  clerk's  office. 

Mines. — About  half  a  mile  southwest  of  Pine  Pond  is  a  lo" 
cality  where  arsenical  iron  is  found.  This  is  one  of  the  old  mine 
holes,  from  which  silver  is  reported  to  have  been  taken,  and  it 
is  locally  known  as  "the  silver  mine."  The  mine  was  leased 
and  worked  about  1848,  by  a  company  called  the  "Hudson  River 
Mining  Company."  The  shaft  is  about  forty  feet  deep,  and 
yellow  pulverulent  sulphuretof  arsenic  covers  the  shaft,  result- 
ing from  the  decomposition  of  the  arsenical  sulphuret  of  iron, 
of  which  there  is  evidently  a  large  quantity.  The  idea  that  sil- 
ver exists  here  is  received  with  doubt. 

Steatite  or  soapstone  is  found  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
town,  and  in  one  locality  in  Peekskill  Hollow.  In  1849,  the 
"  Putnam  County  Mining  Company  "  was  organized.  The  ob- 
ject of  this  companjr  was  "to  develop  and  work  soapstone, 
granite  and  iron  in  the  town  of  Kent."  Little,  however,  was 
done,  one  reason  being  that  the  steatite  is  mixed  with  other  min- 
erals to  a  considerable  extent. 

Supervisors  op  Kent. — Reuben  Ferris,  1790-97;  Consider 
Cushnian,  1798-1802;  John  Wilson,  1803;  John  Hazen,  1804  to 
1812,  probably;  Edward  Smith,  1813-14;  John  Phillips,  1815- 
17;  Edward  Smith,  1818;  John  Phillips,  1820-21;  Daniel  Kent, 
1822;  Jarvis  Washburn,  1827-31;  Joseph  Cole,  1835;  Robert  W. 
Russell,  1836-37;  James  J.  Smalley,  1838;  Coleman  Townsend, 


704  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

1839;  Moses  G.  Robinson,  1840;  James  J.  Smalley,  1841;  Warren 
Townsend,  1842;  James  Foshay,  1843;  James  J.  Smalley,  1844-43; 
Smith  Worden,  1846;  Coleman  Towngend,  1847;  Smith  Worden, 
1848;  BenjaminB.  Hopkins,  1849;  James  J.  Smalley,  1850-51 ;  Rob- 
ert Mead,  1852;  Coleman  K.  Townsend,  1853;  Allen  Light,  1854; 
Samuel  A., Townsend,  1855;  Addison  J.  Hopkins,  1856;  Charles 
Mead,  1857-58;  Coleman  Robinson,  1859;  Charles  Mead,  1860; 
Samuel  T.  Barrett,  1861-62;  Eli  Mead,  1863;  Sarles  Drew,  1864- 
71;  John  H.  Spencer,  1872;  Lewis  Gt.  Robinson,  1873-74;  Cole- 
man Robinson,  1875;  Sarles  Drew,  1876;  A.  J.  Foshay,  1877; 
Wellington  Kent,  1878-79;  Lewis  G.  Robinson,  1880;  Watson 
D.  Robinson,  1881-83;  Reaben  R.  Barrett,  1884-85;  Wellington 
Kent,  1886. 

David  Kent,  who  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  most  prom- 
inent citizens  of  Putnam  county,  was  the  son  of  Elihu  Kent, 
who  was  born  in  1749,  and  died  September  17th,  1807.  His  wife, 
Abigail,  survived  her  husband,  and  died  May  21st,  1821,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two,  and  they,  with  most  of  the  members  of  the 
family,  rest  in  the  cemetery  by  the  Baptist  church,  in  the  town 
of  Patterson.  Elihu  Kent  left  a  family  of  six  children:  Peter 
S.,  Judge  Daniel,  David,  Samuel,  Esther  (wife  of  Moses  Robin- 
son), and  Sarah  (wife  of  Edmund  Haines). 

Peter  S.  Kent  was  born  in  1776,  and  died  May  24th,  1867.  He 
married Crosby,  and  after  her  decease  he  married  Ex- 
perience Stephens.  His  children  were:  Naomai,  wife  of  Ros- 
well  Taylor;  Sarah,  wife  of  Hiram  Knapp;  Harvey,  James,  Peter 
and  Louisa,  wife  of  Edson  Smith,  who  is  now  the  owner  of  the 
homestead  where  Peter  S.  Kent  lived  in  the  western  part  of  the 
town  of  Patterson. 

Judge  Daniel  Kent  was  born  October  18th,  1782,  and  died 
June  1st,  1860.  He  was  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas,  and  a  very  influential  citizen.  He  married  Margaret 
Rusique,  and  his  children  were:  Philinda,  wife  of  Horace 
Townsend;  Laura,  wife  of  Keeler  Townsend;  and  Samuel,  born 
in  1811,  died  October  9th,  1875.  His  son,  Charles  Kent,  is  now 
living  in  Patterson. 

Samuel  Kent,  son  of  Elihu,  removed  to  Chenango  county, 
N.  Y.     He  left  no  children. 

David  Kent  was  born  in  the  town  of  Kent  September  Bd,  1792, 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Samuel  Terry,  and  where  his  father 


c:^c^'€^^:^^t.^. 


TjKj'Uj  UBUJls  S„nji.  'IT,,,i  ^nrk 


TOWN   OF    KENT.  705 

then  lived.  He  remained  at  home  till  he  reached  the  age  of  six- 
teen, when  he  began  teaching  school,  a  vocation  which  he  fol- 
lowed till  he  was  nineteen.  He  then  purchased  a  small  farm  in 
Kent  and  made  it  his  home  till  the  time  of  his  death.  He  be- 
gan life  with  very  limited  means,  but  by  his  great  natural 
ability  and  capacity  soon  increased  his  property,  and  he  eventu- 
ally became  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of  the  county.  His  prin- 
cipal occupation  was  agriculture,  but  in  addition  he  carried  on 
several  other  branches  of  business. 

For  several  years  he  was  justice  of  the  peace,  but  he  found, 
to  use  his  own  expression,  that  "business  and  politics  did  not 
agree,"  and  he  declined  all  opportunities  for  holding  office,  al- 
though many  offers  of  official  positions  were  made  to  him.  Mr. 
Kent  was  one  of  the  organizers,  and  the  first  president  of  the 
Putnam  County  Bank,  and  of  the  Bank  of  Kent,  and  was  con- 
sidered ati  authoritjr  upon  all  flnahcial  matters. 

At  an  early  day  he  made  extensive  investments  in  real  estate 
in  Minnesota,  which  proved  exceedingly  profitable.  He  was 
also  a  large  land  owner  in  his  native  county,  and  his  estate, 
which  was  very  extensive,  is  still  held  by  his  family. 

Mr.  Kent  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Ludingtonville,  and  contributed  largely  toward  the  erection  of 
the  church  edifice.  He  was  a  man  of  social  disposition,  and 
furnished  many  needy  persons  with  profitable  employment,  and 
was  generally  recognized  as  the  type  of  the  successful  business 
man. 

Mr.  Kent  married  Miss  Emeline,  daughter  of  James  Baldwin, 
March  4th,  1847.  Their  children  were:  Abbie  C.  (wife  of  Daniel 
K.  Townsend,  who  has  one  son,  Irving  S.),  James  E.  (who  mar- 
ried Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Towner,  and  has  one  son, 
Towner  Kent),  David,  Wellington,  Jane  E.  (wife  of  Henry 
Tucker,  who  has  two  children,  Lulu  and  Clinton  K.),  Sarah  F. 
and  Daniel. 

Of  these  children,  two,  Wellington  and  James  E.,  are  living 
on  the  homestead  in  Kent;  the  others,  with  their  mother,  are 
residing  in  Patterson. 

Mr.  Kent,  after  a  life  of  constant  activity,  died  April  9th, 
1870,  at  the  age  of  77. 

Moses  C.  Robinson,  who  married  Esther,  daughter  of  Elihu 
Kent,  had  children:  Elihu,  a  Baptist  clergyman,  who  settled  in 
the  west;  Lewis,  a  lawyer  in  Fishkill;  Nelson  and  Alanson,  who 
45 


706  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

were  brokers  in  New  York,  and  became  millionaires;  Sarah, 
wife  of  Norman  Washburn;  David,  who  was  a  great  natural 
mathematician;  and  Daniel,  who  is  a  wealthy  citizen  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Edmund  Haines,  who  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Elihu 
Kent,  left  children:  Coleman,  who  lived  and  died  in  Patterson; 
John,  who  is  now  living  there;  Egbert  and  Albert,  both  of 
whom  are  living  in  the  western  part  of  the  State.  All  of  these 
are  well  known  as  good  and  prosperous  citizens. 

James  Baldwin  married  Cornelia,  daughter  of  Henry  Lud- 
ington,  and  granddaughter  of  Col.  Henry  Ludington  of  Revolu- 
tionary fame.  His  children  are:  Maria,  wife  of  Levi  Russell; 
Jane,  wife  of  William  Caldwell;  Francis  T.,  now  living  in 
Patterson;  and  Emeline,  wife  of  David  Kent,  as  mentioned 
above. 

Daniel  R.  Nichols. — Josiah  Nichols,  the  ancestor  of  the 
family,  was  a  native  of  Reading,  Connecticut.  He  was  a  cavalry 
soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  served  through  the  war,  and  at 
the  burning  of  Danbury,  his  wife  and  children,  who  were  living 
there  at  the  time,  were  compelled  to  flee.  After  the  war  he 
came  to  Carmel,  where  he  lived  and  died. 

The  place  where  he  settled  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  George  Sun- 
derlin,  and  is  on  the  road  from  Carmel  to  Lake  Mahopac. 

Josiah  Nichols  married  Elizabeth  Bouton,  and  their  children 
were  :  Henry;  Lewis,  who  died  young;  Gershom,  who  moved  to 
Cayuga  county;  James, whose  family  lived  at  Cold  Spring;  Eliza- 
beth, wife  of  John  Smith;  Esther,  wife  of  William  Moore;  Anna, 
wife  of  Daniel  Ganong;  and  Phebe,  wife  of  Stephen  Travis. 

Henry  Nichols,  the  oldest  son,  was  born  about  1770,  and  died 
about  1850.  He  married  Susannah,  daughter  of  Joseph  Cole. 
Their  children  were  :  Joseph  C,  Lewis,  Perry  G.  (who  removed 
to  Wisconsin),  Henry  B.,  Daniel  R.,  Ruth  (wife  of  Horace 
Smith),  Elizabeth  (wife  of  Jeremiah  Hopkins),  and  Susan, 
deceased . 

The  father  of  this  family  came  to  Carmel  and  bought  a  farm 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  village,  containing  about 
eighty  acres,  and  gradually  increased  it  until  his  possessions 
exceeded  300  acres.  As  his  sons  grew  up  and  were  married  he 
gave  them  portions  of  his  estate,  and  they  all  settled  around 
him. 


^  eyj^^ckJt^ 


TOWN    OP   KENT.  707 

Joseph  C.  Nichols,  the  oldest  son,  married  Loretta,  daughter 
of  Jo'hn  Northrup,  and  their  children  were:  William,  John  F., 
Hannah  E.,  Susan  R.,  wife  of  John  T.  Barrett,  and  Ida  J. 

Lewis  Nichols,  who  is  now  living  at  an  advanced  age,  married 
Adah,  daughter  of  Reuben  Cole,  and  has  children  :  Chauncey, 
Edgar,  Edwin,  Zillah,  wife  of  Tillott  Cole,  and  Henrietta,  wife 
of  Matthias  Newman. 

Henry  B.  Nichols  lived  in  Patterson,  where  he  married  Julia, 
daughter  of  Edmund  Haines.  His  children  were:  John  H., 
Albert  E.,  David  C,  Edmund,  and  Antha  J.,  wife  of  George 
Hazen;  Achsah,  wife  of  Charles  Towner;  and  Melinda,  wife  of 
James  Towner. 

Mr.  Daniel  R.  Nichols,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
August  12th,  1812.  His  early  life  was  spent  on  the  farm  with 
his  father,  and  he  inherited  part  of  the  homstead  from  him,  but 
by  various  judicious  purchases  he  has  greatly  increased  his 
possessions  until  he  has  now  more  than  300  acres  of  excellent 
farming  land  which,  by  his  care  and  skill  and  with  the  able 
assistance  of  his  son,  has  been  made  one  of  the  finest  farms  in 
this  section  of  the  country. 

In  1857,  Mr.  Nichols  built  a  new  residence,  which  was  burned 
in  1870,  and  upon  the  site  he  erected  his  present  elegant  and 
commodious  home.  For  many  years  Mr.  Nichols  held  the 
offices  of  town  superintendent  of  schools  and  assessor.  For 
several  years  he  has  been  a  deacon  of  the  Carmel  Baptist 
Church;  the  same  position  has  been  held  by  his  brothers,  Lewis 
and  Perry  G. 

Mr.  Nichols  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  James  Hughson. 
They  have  one  son,  James  H.  Nichols,  who  was  born  June  4th, 
1837.  With  the  care  and  energy  of  a  thorough  and  skilled 
agriculturalist  Mr.  James  Nichols  has  also  made  farming  the 
business  of  his  life  with  good  and  well  merited  success.  He  is 
a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  Putnam  County  Agricultural 
Society,  and  his  choice  herd  of  fine  blooded  stock  never  fails  to 
attract  marked  attention.  He  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Kelley.  After  her  decease  he  married  Miss  Emma  A.,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Hazen.  They  have  one  son.  Homer  Hazen  Nichols, 
born  April  30th,  1885.     Mrs.  Nichols  died  in  the  same  year. 

In  conclusion  it  may  be  said  that  Mr.  Nichols  and  the  family 
of  which  he  is  an  honored  member  are  good  representatives  of 


708  HISTORY   OP  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  honest  and  enterprising  farmers  of  Putnam  county,  whose 
fame  and  credit  they  have  helped  to  sustain. 

The  Townsend  Family. — Among  the  early  settlers  of 
Queens  county,  Long  Island,  were  John  and  Henry  Townsend, 
who  were  the  progenitors  of  a  very  extensive  family.  The  first 
of  the  name  who  appears  in  Putnam  county  was  David  Town- 
send,  who,  in  1735,  was  the  owner  of  Lot  No.  6  on  the  Oblong, 
which  was  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of  the  county.  His  son, 
Elihu  Townsend,  was  born  in  Oyster  Bay,  Long  Island,  August, 
1704,  and  moving  to  the  Oblong,  lived  on  the  Lot  No.  6,  as  above 
described.  His  house  stood  in  the  town  of  North  Salem,  a  short 
distance  south  of  the  county  line,  and  he  died  there  in  July, 
1805. 

His  son,  Uriah  Townsend,  was  born  in  1732.  His  homestead 
was  in  the  original  lot  but  north  of  the  county  line  in  the  town 
of  Southeast.  He  died  in  1804,  leaving  five  sons  :  Abijah,  born 
1780,  died  November  5th,  1838;  Elihu,  Samuel,  Abraham  and 
Stephen.  Elihu  Townsend  gave  his  farm  to  these  grandsons  by 
deed  in  1801.  Abijah  Townsend  lived  in  Southeast.  He  had  a 
son,  Uriah,  whose  son  Keeler  was  a  well  known  citizen  of  the 
town.  Elihu  went  to  Canada.  He  had  two  sons,  Henry  and 
James.  Abraham  left  no  descendants.  Stephen  went  to  Sus- 
quehannah. 

Samuel  Townsend  was  born  November  25th,  1772,  and  died 
May  20th,  1853.  His  homestead,  during  the  greater  part  of  his 
life,  was  the  tract  in  the  town  of  Kent,  which  .has  long  borne 
the  name  of  Townsend' s  Ridge.  The  farm  was  originally  in  the 
possession  of  Nathan  Crosby,  who  held  it  as  a  tenant  of  the 
Philipse  family,  and  it  was  afterward  purchased  by  Samuel 
Townsend.  Mr.  Townsend  married  Keturah,  daughter  of  Nathan 
Crosby.  Their  children  were  :  Polly,  born  May  7th,  1792,  mar- 
ried Lewis  Ludington;  Zillah,  born  May  9th,  1794,  married  Peter 
Smith;  Anna,  born  November  5th,  1797,  married  Ward  Haviland; 
Coleman,  born  November  5th,  1797,  and  now  living  at  Brewster; 
Warren,  born  September  23d,  1802,  died  May  10th,  1859;  Horace, 
born  December  20th,  1804,  died  February  2d,  1852;  and  Samuel 
A.,  born  May  20th,  1810,  now  living  in  Carmel. 

Coleman  Townsend,  who  is  a  well-known  resident  of  Brewster, 
married  Malinda  Ogden.    She  died  in  1870.    Their  children  were: 


TOWN   OF  KENT.  709 

Zillah,wife  of  Alanson  Robinson;  Eliliu,  who  died  at  sea  July  2d, 
1858,  aged  38;  and  Peter  B.,  deceased. 

Warren  Townsend  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Carmel.  He 
married  Betsey,  daughter  of  Thomas  Caldwell.  Their  children 
were:  John,  who  is  now  living  in  Pawling;  Marriette,  wife  of 
George  M.  Hughson,  of  Carmel;  Edgar,  now  living  in  Patterson; 
Thomas,  deceased;  Samuel  K.,  deceased;  Charlotte  H.,  wife  of 
David  C.  Hughson;  and  Eli,  now  living  in  Kent. 

Horace  Townsend  was  a  resident  of  Farmer's  Mills,  and  was  a 
prominent  citizen  when  that  village  was  in  the  days  of  its  glory. 
He  married  Philinda,  daughter  of  Daniel  Kent,  and  had  two 
children:  Laura,  wife  of  Peter  Smith,  and  Coleman  K.,  now  liv- 
ing near  Brewster. 

Mr.  Samuel  A.  Townsend  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  on 
Townsend' s  Ridge,  and  the  early  part  of  his  business  life  was 
passed  on  the  farm  in  the  town  of  Kent,  now  owned  by  Putnam 
Light.  About  1852  he  went  to  reside  on  the  homestead  of  his 
father,  and  continued  there  till  1868,  since  which  time  he  has 
passed  a  life  of  retired  leisure  in  the  village  of  Carmel.  Besides 
conducting  his  extensive  farm  he  was  in  earlier  years  an  exten- 
sive dealer  in  caitle.  Mr.  Townsend  married  Hannah,  daughter 
of  Thomas  Caldwell.  Their  children  were  :  Henry,  born  April 
30th,  1832,  died  August  5th,  1871;  Mary  A.,  Cyrus  C,  Zillah 
and  Susan. 

Mr.  Cyrus  C.  Townsend,  who  is  well  known  as  an  extensive 
farmer  of  the  town  of  Kent,  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  March 
17th,  1837.  When  fifteen  years  old  he  came  with  his  father  to 
reside  on  the  old  homestead  of  his  grandfather,  on  Townsend 
Ridge,  and  this  has  been  his  residence  till  the  present  time.  The 
original  farm  has  been  largely  increased  till  it  now  embraces  280 
acres  and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  town  and  county.  On  this 
homestead,  near  the  present  barn,  was,  in  the  middle  of  the 
last  century,  an  enclosure  known  as  the  "  Horse  Pound,"  which 
gave  its  name  to  the  principal  road  through  Kent  and  Carmel. 
It  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  large  numbers  of 
stray  horses  which  ran  at  large  in  early  times.  Long  lines  of 
of  fence  converged  to  the  pound,  and  between  these  the  horses 
were  driven  to  the  enclosure. 

Mr.  Townsend  married  Eunice,  daughter  of  Alexander 
Penney.     They  have  two  children,  Ethel  Glenn  and  Bessie. 

Henry  Townsend,  brother  of   Cyrus  C.   Townsend,  married 


710  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Angeline,  daughter  of  Stephen  R.  Barrett.  Their  children  are: 
Arthur,  Wilbert,  Byron,  Cassie  (wife  of  Coleman  T.  Henion),  and 
Emily. 

Besides  the  family  of  Elihu  Townsend,  whose  descendants 
have  been  traced  above,  there  are  several  other  families  of  the 
name,  the  exact  relationship  of  whom  is  unknown.  On  the 
assessment  roll  of  1777,  the  names  of  Daniel,  Charles,  Benja- 
min, Robert,  Christopher,  James,  John,  Levi,  Elijah,  Isaac, 
Zebulon  and  Uriah  Townsend  are  found.  Charles  Townsend  is 
supposed  to  liave  been  a  brother  of  Uriah  and  son  of  Elihu. 
He  had  sons,  James  and  Elijah  (mentioned  above)  and  Eber.  Of 
these  Gen.  James  Townsend  was  born  in  1756,  and  died  March 
13th,  1832.  He  was  a  prominent  man  of  Carmel,  and  once 
owned  the  land  where  the  Court  House  now  stands.  He  married 
Priscilla,  daughter  of  Elihu  Cole,  1st,  and  his  children  were: 
James,  Alvah,  Charles  (who  had  sons  Albert,  David  and  others), 
Ardillio,  Susannah  (wife  of  Stephen  Waring),  Naomai,  (2d  wife 
of  Dr.  Robert  Weeks),  Mercy  (wife  of  Issacher  Merrick)  and 
Priscilla  (wife  Levi  Bailey). 

Elijah  Townsend  (brother  of  General  James)  died  in  1823.  He 
had  sons,  James,  Melankie,  Charles  and  Joshua.  The  last  died 
November  9th,  1858,  aged  70  years,  11  months  and  11  days.  He 
had  sons:  Stephen,  born  1810;  Harvey,  Alonzo,  Coleman  and 
Hamilton.  Stephen  has  children:  Isaac,  Orville,  James,  John, 
Freeman,  Augustus  and  Coleman  S.,  who  lives  in  Carmel,  near 
Long  Pond. 

Benjamin  Townsend  was  living  near  Lake  Mahopac  in  the 
early  part  of  this  century.  His  house  stands  about  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  east  of  the  railroad  station.  The  first  Methodist  meetings 
were  held  there.  He  died  May  2d,  1838,  aged  79.  He  had  a 
wife  Anna,  and  a  daughter  who  married  Nathaniel  Crane. 

Isaac  Townsend  was  living  on  Lot  6  on  the  Oblong,  near  Uriah 
Townsend,  in  1791.     Nothing  is  known  of  his  family. 

Christopher  Townsend  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  father 
of  John  Townsend,  who  married  Jemima  Travis.  Among  his 
descendants  may  be  mentioned  Professor  Cleveland  Abbe  of 
Washington,  D.   C. 

Coleman  Robinson.— The  first  of  the  Robinson  family  of 
whom  we  have  any  knowledge  was  Isaiah,  who  came  from  Cape 
Cod  and  settled  in  Carmel  on  a  place  which  was  west  of  the 


TOWN    OF   KENT.  711 

resei-voir,  near  the  Tilly  Foster  Mine.  In  the  assessment  roll 
of  1777  the  names  of  Ebenezer  and  John  Robinson  occur.  The 
latter  probably  lived  in  Patterson  and  is  mentioned  as  living 
"near  Robinson's  store."  They  vs^ere  brothers  of  Isaiah 
Robinson. 

Isaiah  Robinson  married  Amy  Chapel.  Their  children  were: 
Peter;  Zelotas,  who  went  to  Danbury,  Conn. ;  Isaiah,  who  moved 
to  Vermont:  Ebenezer,  who  went  to  Chenango  county;  Noah, 
who  moved  to  Tompkins  county.  Andrew,  who  lived  in  Kent 
on  the  place  now  owned  by  Eben  Wixom;  and  Chapel,  who 
also  removed  to  Tompkins  county.  There  was  one  daughter, 
Lydia,  who  married  Joshua  Morse. 

Peter  Robinson  was  born  March  8th,  1761,  and  died  May  21st, 
1849.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  at  West 
Point  at  the  time  of  Arnold's  treason.  During  the  latter  part 
of  his  life  he  received  a  pension  from  the  government,  the  prin- 
cipal witness  in  his  behalf  at  the  time  of  his  application  being 
Enoch  Crosby,  the  original  of  "Harvey  Birch,"  the  hero  of 
Cooper's  "Spy."  His  residence  was  on  a  farm  in  Kent  near 
the  place  where  his  grandson,  Coleman  Robinson,  now  lives.  He 
was  well  known  as  a  good  and  worthy  citizen. 

Peter  Robinson  married  Phebe  Haight.  Their  children  were : 
Huldah,  wife  of  Squire  Robinson;  James,  who  moved  to  Tomp- 
kins county;  Nathaniel;  Meliza,  wife  of  Abel  Shaw,  of  Wiscon- 
sin; Ira,  who  also  went  to  that  State;  Carle,  who  went  to  Illinois; 
Lydia,  wife  of  Abijah  K.  Barrett;  Betsy,  wife  of  Major  Mead; 
and  Amy,  wife  of  Joseph  McCargar,  of  Orleans  county,  N.  Y. 

Elder  Nathaniel  Robinson,  the  third  child  of  this  family,  was 
born  April  6th,  1788.  When  four  years  old  he  moved  to  Kent 
with  his  father,  and  lived  in  a  log  house  near  the  present  resi- 
dence of  Coleman  Robinson.  His  father  at  first  held  a  large 
farm  as  tenant  of  Frederick  Philipse,  and  afterward  purchased 
it.  Mr.  Robinson  was  for  many  years  an  elder  and  minister  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  From  a  church  record  book,  which  is  now 
in  possession  of  his  descendants,  and  a  highly  prized  relic,  we 
learn  that  he  commenced  preaching  June  20th,  1819.  During 
the  rest  of  his  life  he  preached  in  various  places,  as  Carmel, 
Patterson,  Fishkill,  Farmer's  Mills  and  Putnam  Valley.  The 
number  of  marriages  solemnized  by  him  was  five  hundred,  and 
he  officiated  at  the  funerals  of  more  than  one  thousand  persons, 
and  his  services  on  such  occasions  were  so  highly  appreciated 


712  HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

that  he  was  called  to  distant  places  to  perform  the  last  sad  rites 
which  accompany  the  closing  scene  of  man's  career  on  earth. 
The  house  which  he  built  more  than  sixty  years  ago  is  yet 
standing  on  the  farm  of  his  son,  Coleman  Robinson.  After  a  long 
life  of  great  usefulness  Elder  Robinson  died  August  20th,  1865, 
in  the  81st  year  of  his  age,  and  a  neat  monument  in  the  burying 
ground  by  the  Baptist  church  at  Farmer's  Mills  marks  his  last 
resting  place. 

Elder  Nathaniel  Robinson  married  Adah,  daughter  of  Seth 
Kelley.  She  was  born  May  11th,  1791,  and  died  October  9th, 
1883.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Coleman  Robin- 
son, born  May  2d,  1816;  Laura,  born  June  5th,  1818,  married 
Eben  Wixom,  and  resides  in  Kent;  and  Olive,  who  died  in 
infancy. 

Mr.  Coleman  Robinson,  who  is  one  of  the  best  known  citizens 
of  Kent,  resides  on  a  farm  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 
This  farm  was  formerly  owned  by  his  grandfather,  Peter  Robin- 
son, and  was  given  by  him  to  his  son  Carle,  who  sold  it  to  Elder 
Moseman  Barrett,  a  prominent  citizen  of  former  days.  His  sons 
sold  it  to  John  Henion,  from  whom  it  was  purchased  by  Mr. 
Robinson.  To  the  original  farm  he  has  greatly  added  by  judi- 
cious purchases,  and  it  now  includes  255  acres.  A  line  of  stone 
wall  about  three  rods  west  of  his  house  is  the  original  line  be- 
tween Lots  5  and  6  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  and  from  this  point 
an  unbroken  line  of  fence  marks  the  line  to  its  northern  ex- 
tremity on  the  top  of  a  moiantain  a  short  distance  north  of  the 
county  line.  Mr.  Robinson  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  of 
Kent,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years,  and  justice 
of  Sessions.  He  has  also  held  the  office  of  commissioner  of 
schools,  and  was  appraiser  of  lands  in  many  instances.  la  all 
these  positions  his  sound  and  discriminating  Judgment  was  fully 
recognized. 

Mr.  Robinson  married  Chloe  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Henion. 
Their  children  are:  Watson  D.,  Emily  B.,  wife  of  Charles  B. 
Peck  of  Patterson  (who  has  children,  Coleman,  Annie  L.  and 
Chloe  May),  and  Coliette,  wife  of  Emory  C.  Hufcut  of  Fishkill, 
who  has  one  son,  Ralph  W. 

Mr.  Watson  D.  Robinson,  who  resides  in  Kent  with  his  father, 
has  also  been  supervisor  of  the  town,  and  is  justly  regarded  as 
one  of  the  rising  young  men  of  the  county. 

John  Henion  came  from  Rhinebeck,  and  lived  near  Boyd's 


/^.^-'^^.n.t.^.i^  /fi<r^fi<^-^y>-^^^-^ 


TOWN   OF   KENT.  713 

Corners  in  Kent.  He  married  Mercy  Smalley,  and  had  children: 
Elias,  who  married  Betsey  Clawson;  Zachariah,  who  married 
Margaret  Hagar;  John,  jr.,  who  married  Chloe  Hagar;  Hannah, 
wife  of  Edmond  Knox;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Hiram  Light;  Julia, 
wife  of  Barnum  Hazelton;  Chloe  Jane,  wife  of  Coleman  Robin- 
son; and  Mar}?-,  wife  of  Lee  McDonald. 

John  Henion,  jr.,  had  children:  David,  Julia,  wife  of  Coleman 
K.  Townsend;  Kent,  a  well-known  citizen  of  Patterson;  Hannah, 
wife  of  William  J.  Robinson;  Laura,  wife  of  Lewis  Gt.  Robinson; 
Coleman  T. ;  and  Carrie,  wife  of  John  M.  Pennv. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


TOWN  OF  PUTNAM  VALLEY. 


Establishment  and  Boundaries. — Change  of  Name. — Settlement. — Cemeteries. — 
Peekskill  HoUow  Methodist  Church. — Oscawana  Lake. — Canopus  Hollow. — 
Baptist  Church,  Croft's  Corners. — Methodist  Church,  Croft's  Corners. — 
Hempstead  Huts. — Mountain  Chapel. — Oregon. — Solpew  Pond. — Change  of 
Boundary. — Supervisors. — Walter  N.  "Wood.^Hon.  Saxton  Smith. — George 
William  Lane. 


THIS  town,  formerly  a  portion  of  Philipstown,  was  estab- 
lished in  1839.  The  territory  embraced  within  its  limits 
is  that  part  of  Lot  4,  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  which  lies  south  of 
the  Philipstown  Turnpike,  and  a  small  tract  taken  from  the 
town  of  Carmel,  and  which  lies  west  of  the  Peekskill  Hollow 
Creek.  The  surface  of  this  town  is  rugged  and  mountainous; 
the  principal  geographical  features  are  two  valleys,  which  ex- 
tend the  whole  length  of  the  town,  from  northeast  to  south- 
west, and  are  known  as  the  Peekskill  and  Canopus  Hollows. 
These  valleys  are  bounded  on  either  side  by  rugged  hills,  which 
might  well  be  called  mountains,  and  they  are  separated  by  a 
wide  extent  of  hilly,  rocky  and  broken  ground.  The  original 
lot,  when  the  patent  was  divided  in  1754,  was  probably  deemed 
less  valuable  than  the  others,  as  it  contains  a  greater  number 
of  acres.  The  width  of  the  town  is  iive  miles,  not  including  the 
part  taken  from  Carrael,  and  its  length  is  about  nine  miles. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Act  by  which  the  town  was 
established;  it  was  passed  March  14th,  1889. 

"  An  Act  to  divide  the  town  of  Philipstown. 

"  I.  All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Philipstown  in  the  County 
of  Putnam,  comprised  within  the  following  boundaries,  to  wit, 
Beginning  at  the  Southeast  corner  of  Beverly  Robinson's 
water  lot,  and  in  the  dividing  line  between  the  counties  of 
Westchester  and  Putnam,  thence  along  the  water  lot  line  north 


TOWN   OF   PUTNAM   VALLEY.  715 

eight  degrees  and  thirty  minutes  east  seven  and  a  half  miles  to 
the  center  of  the  Cold  Spring  turnpike  road;  thence  along  the 
middle  line  of  said  road  to  the  division  line  between  the  towns 
of  Philii>stown  and  Kent;  thence  south  eight  and  a  half  degrees 
west  along  the  west  line  of  the  towns  of  Kent  and  Carmel  to  the 
division  line  between  the  counties  of  Westchester  and  Putnam, 
aforesaid,  nine  miles;  then  running  in  said  line  south  eighty- 
nine  degrees  west  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  be  a  separate 
town  and  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Quincy;  and  the 
first  town  meeting  shall  be  held  at  the  house  of  Matthias  Croft 
in  the  said  town  of  Quincy  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April  next, 
and  annually  thereafter,  at  such  place  as  a  majority  of  the 
electors  of  said  town  shall  determine,  pursuant  to  the  Revised 
Statutes. 

•'  II.  All  the  remaining  part  of  said  town  of  Philipstow-n 
shall  be  and  remain  a  separate  town  by  the  name  of  Philips- 
town  and  the  next  town  meeting  shall  be  held  at  the  place 
where  it  was  last  voted  to  be  held,  in  said  town,  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  April  next  and  annually  thereafter  the  said  town 
meetings  shall  be  held  at  such  place  as  a  majority  of  the  electors 
of  said  town  shall  fix  upon,  in  pursuance  of  the  Revised 
Stafnites.     This  Act  shall  take  effect  immediately." 

It  is  said  that  the  people  of  the  town,  always  strong  sup- 
porters of  the  democratic  party,  became  dissatisfied  with  the 
name  so  strongly  identified  with  the  opposing  party  in  politics, 
and  it  was  soon  proposed  to  change  the  name  to  something  more 
to  their  liking.  However  this  may  be,  we  find  that  on  Feb- 
ruary 13th,  1840,  the  Legislature  passed  the  following: 

"  Act  to  change  the  town  of  Quincy,  in  the  County  of  Put- 
nam. 

"  I.  All  that  part  of  the  County  of  Putnam,  now  known  as 
the  town  of  Quincy,  shall  hereafter  be  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Putnam  Valley. 

"II.  Nothing  contained  in  this  Act,  shall  in  any  way  affect 
the  rights  of  any  inhabitant,  or  any  officer  of  said  town,  or  of 
the  town  itself. 

"  III.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  immediately." 

Lot  No.  4  of  the  Philipse  Patent  was  the  property  of  Beverly 
Robinson  and  his  wife,  Susannah,  after  the  division  in  1754. 
Previous  to  that  time,  it  was  the  undivided  property  of  the 
heirs  of  Frederick  Philipse,  who  inherited  the  whole  patent 


716  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTV. 

from  his  uncle  Adolph  Philipse,  the  original  patentee.  The 
earliest  information  we  have  of  any  settlement  in  this  town  is 
in  the  record  of  highways,  April  20th,  1747.  "  A  highway  laid 
out  Beginning  at  Abraham  Smith's  and  by  marked  trees  to  the, 
highway  that  leads  from  Ki'rkham's  mills  to  ye  peakskills,  four 
rods  wide."  Tradition  states  that  Abraham  Smith  came  from 
England,  about  1716,  and  settled  on  Long  Island,  where  he  re- 
mained some  years.  He  is  said  to  have  come  to  this  part  of  the 
county  about  1720,  but  this  is  doubtful,  as  no  such  name  oc- 
curs in  the  list  of  inhabitants  of  Dutchess  county  made  in  1724. 
He  was  probably  one  of  the  first  who  came  in  with  the  tide  of 
migration  about  1740.  The  place  which  he  selected  for  his 
home  was  a  tract  of  land  one  mile  square,  which  he  "  took  up" 
on  the  east  side  of  what  was  afterward  the  Beverly  "Robinson 
Lot,  and  tradition  says  that  he  gave  a  farm  to  one  of  his  chain 
bearers  for  his  services.  Upon  this  tract  he  lived  and  died  and 
his  children  after  him,  as  tenants  of  Beverly  Robinson,  and 
after  the  Revolution,  when  the  estate  of  Colonel  Robinson  was 
confiscated  and  sold,  they  became  the  owners,  by  deed  from  the 
commissioners  of  forfeitures.  Hon.  Saxton  Smith,  grandson 
of  the  first  settler,  still  lives  on  the  ancestral  domain.  The 
east  boundary  of  the  farm  is  the  original  line  between  Lots  4 
and  5  of  the  Philipse  Patent,  and  from  this  it  can  be  traced  in 
either  direction. 

Soon  after  the  coming  of  Abraham  Smith,  a  number  of  fami- 
lies began  to  arrive.  Among  these  wer-e  Thomas  Bryant,  who 
settled  near  Mr.  Smith,  and  gave  his  name  to  Bryant  Hill  and 
Bryant  Pond,  which  they  have  ever  since  retained. 

The  Bargers,  whose  name  shows  their  German  origin,  have 
left  a  very  numerous  line  of  descendants  in  the  town.  The 
original  settler  of  the  name  was  probably  Peter  Baragar, 
who  bought  213  acres  of  land  of  the  commissioners  of  for- 
feitures in  1780.  The  old  homestead  is  now  owned  by  George 
Barger. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution  there  were  several  families  settled 
in  Peekskill  Hollow.  This  valley  begins  at  the  headwaters  of 
the  Peekskill  Creek,  which  rises  in  a  spring  at  Boyd's  Corners, 
in  the  town  of  Kent,  and  only  a  narrow  ridge  of  land  separates 
its  fountain  head  from  the  Croton  River.  Plowing  southwest, 
it  empties  into  the  Hudson  River  above  Peekskill,  and  at  its 
mouth  is  known  as  the  Annsville  Creek.     It  derives  its  name 


TOWN    OF   PUTNAM    VALLEY.  717 

from  Jan  Peek,  an  early  Batch  navigator,  who  sailed  into  the 
creek  supposing  it  to  be  the  continuation  of  the  river,  and  gave 
it  his  name.  The  Peekskill  Hollow  was  probably  once  the  bed 
of  a  glacier,  which  flowed  its  way  down  in  a  long  past  geological 
age,  and  in  after  times  a  stream  of  water  must  have  flowed 
through  the  valley,  compared  with  which  the  present  brook  is 
but  a  mere  rivulet.  At  intervals  along  the  valley  are  found 
small  hills  of  sand,  which  were  probably  deposited  in  eddies, 
at  a  time  when  the  stream  was  a  river,  which  may  have  swept 
the  rocky  heights  on  either  side.  This  hollow,  which  is  per- 
haps a  mile  across,  from  the  rocky  hills  which  bound  it,  was 
divided  into  farms,  which  ran  across  it  from  side  to  side. 

At  the  lower  end  of  the  valley,  near  Adam's  Corners,  a  family 
named  Dusenbury  settled.  William  Dusenbury,  the  ancestor 
of  the  family,  came  from  Westchester  county.  He  had  here  a 
farm  of  300  acres,  which  embraced  the  land  around  Adam's 
Corners  and  extended  up  the  valley  to  what  is  now  the  north 
line  of  the  farm  of  Daniel  D.  Tompkins.  This  farm  was  sold  to 
William  Dusenbury,  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  after 
the  Revolution.  The  homestead  was  on  the  east  side  of  the 
road  and  is  now  owned  by  Gilbert  Hadden,  who  married  a 
granddaughter  of  the  original  owner.  The  old  house  stood 
a  few  rods  east  of  Mr.  Hadden' s  present  residence.  On 
the  west  side  of  the  road,  opposite  the  house,  is  a  slight  eleva- 
tion of  land,  and  here  is  said  to  have  been  an  Indian  burying 
ground  at  the  time  William  Dusenbury  came  to  the  valley. 

North  of  the  Dusenbury  farm  was  a  tract  of  about  90  acres, 
which  was  held  by  one  Nathaniel  Jagger.  Tradition  says  he 
lost  his  farm  through  taking  more  than  legal  interest.  James 
D.  Tompkins  is  the  present  owner.  Next  north  of  this 
came  a  tract  owned  by  the  Tompkins  family,  who  apjjear  to 
have  been  here  for  some  years  previous  to  the  Revolution.  Na- 
thaniel, Joshua,  Cornelius  and  Reuben  Tompkins  were  here  in 
1777,  but  what  relation  they  were  to  each  other,  we  do  not  know. 
Nathaniel  Tomkpins  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by  George 
F.  Barmore,  Esq.,  the  late  supervisor  of  Putnam  Valley.  The 
Buckbee  family  also  lived  in  the  valley  in  later  years.  Edward 
Buckbee  was  sherifi',  181&-22.  He  died  December  14th,  1839, 
aged  71.  He  had  a  wife,  Elizabeth,  and  sons,  John,  Monmouth, 
Hyatt,  and  Lewis.  Monmouth  Buckbee  was  supervisor  of 
this  town  for  several  years.     His  homestead,  on   the  west  side 


718  HISTORY   0¥   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

of  the  Peekskill  Hollow  road,  is  now  owned  by  his  daughters, 
Elizabeth  and  Mary. 

Cornelius  Tompkins  lived  and  kept  a  store,  at  the  place  where 
the  main  road  crosses  Peekskill  Creek,  and  where  Gould  Sellick 
now  lives.  Still  farther  north,  up  the  Wicopee  road,  lived  Reuben 
Tompkins.  The  descendants  of  these  families  have  been  and  still 
are  numerous.  Joshua  Tompkins,  after  the  Revolution,  pur- 
chased his  farm  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures.  It  was 
a  tract  of  300  acres,  bounded  east  "  by  the  line  between  Philips- 
burg  and  Fredericksburg,"  that  is,  between  Lots  4  and  5  on  the 
Philipse  Patent.  This  was  probably  near  the  Methodist  church, 
and  representatives  of  the  family  are  still  here.  The  junction 
of  the  Peekskill  Hollow  and  Wicopee  roads  is  generally  known 
as  Tompkins'  Corners. 

In  the  appointment  of  highway  masters,  in  1772,  as  found  in 
the  records  of  Philijjstown,  occurs  the  following:  "William 
White,  Highwaymaster  for  the  Road  from  William  Dusenbury's 
up  Peekskill  Hollow  to  the  Bridge  near  Lewis  Jones,  which 
bridge  he  is  to  make  with  his  own  hands  and  to  continue  up  the 
hollow,  to  the  line  of  Fredericksburg  Precinct." 

Another  entry  states  that  "  Isaac  Rhodes  was  Highwaymas- 
ter for  the  road  from  Fredericksburg  Precinct  to  the  bridge  over 
Peekskill  River,  near  Lewis  Jones."  As  Isaac  Jones  lived  on 
the  extreme  east  side  of  the  present  town,  not  far  from  the 
southeast  corner,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  "  bridge  near 
Lewis  Jones"  was  where  the  present  crossing  is,  at  the  road 
which  leads  over  Bryant  Hill.  Lewis  Jones  may  have  been  the 
father  of  Ebenezer  Jones,  who  bought  a  farm  in  this  vicinity 
after  the  Revolution. 

Isaac  Post  was  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  south  of  Tompkins' 
Corners.  It  is  probable  that  he  was  the  son  of  Henry  Post,  who 
purchased  a  tract  of  nearly  300  acres  from  the  commissioners 
of  forfeitures.  On  the  Peekskill  Creek,  near  his  house,  Isaac 
Post  built  a  grist  and  saw  mill,  which  is  still  standing,  though 
in  the  last  stages  of  dilapidation.  Isaac  Post  died  July  3d, 
1842,  at  the  age  of  80.  Previous  to  his  death  he  divided  his 
farms  among  his  four  sons,  John,  James,  Elias  and  Levi.  The 
old  homestead  is  now  owned  by  Isaac  Post,  son  of  Levi,  and  is 
one  of  the  few  relics  of  early  days. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  creek,  a  short  distance  above  the  road 
that  runs  over  Bryant  Hill,  is  the  Old  Travis  Homestead,  now 


TOWN   OF   PUTNAM   VALLEY .  719 

owned  by  Chadwick  Travis.  This  was  the  home  of  Titus 
Travis,  who  came  here  before  the  Revolution,  and  was  the  an- 
cestor of  several  of  the  families  of  that  name.  Titus  Travis 
died  February  25th,  1815,  at  the  age  of  76.  His  grandson, 
Chadwick,  an  aged  man,  is  the  only  one  of  the  name  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity.  On  the  west  side  of  the  Peekskill  Hollow 
road,  a  little  way  north  of  the  road  running  west  by  the  school 
house,  are  the  remains  of  an  old  house,  whose  curious  stone 
chimney  dates  back  to  Revolutionary  days.  This  was  the 
dwelling  of  George  Travis,  one  of  the  sons  of  the  original 
settler.  At  the  corner  of  the  main  road  and  the  one  going  over 
Bryant  Hill,  is  the  old  Travis  burying  ground,  where  rest  some 
of  the  former  residents,  among  whom  are  the  following:  Moses 
Odell,  died  Nov.  6th,  1885,  age  81;  Titus  Travis,  Feb.  25th, 
1815,  76;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Feb.  19th,  1821,  80;  Titus  Travis, 
Jan.  1st,  1853,  76;  Elizabeth,  wife,  Oct.  2d,  1866,  89;  George 
Travis,  June  23d,  1843,  83;  Joseph  Mckerson,  July  1st,  1868, 
85;  Deborah,  wife,  Oct.  3d,  1826,  39;  Richard  Satterly,  born 
on  Long  Island,  1705,  died  Jan.  17th,  1798;  Johannah,  his  wife, 
died  Dec.  8th,  1798,  aged  72;  James  Satterly,  April  6th,  1831, 
65;  Lawrence  Odell,  June  25th,  1821,  49. 

William  Dusenbury,  who  is  mentioned  before,  had  a  brother 
Moses,  wiio  settled  south  of  Adam's  Corners.  His  son,  Moses, 
jr.,  was  here  during  the  Revolution,  but  left  no  descendants. 
At  the  extreme  southeast  corner  of  the  town,  and  bounded  east 
by  the  Roger  Morris  Lot  line  and  south  by  the  bounds  of  West- 
chester, was  the  farm  of  Isaac  Penoyer,  a  descendant  of  a 
Huguenot  family,  and  who  came  from  the  lower  part  of  West- 
chester. North  of  this  was  the  farm  of  Col.  John  Hyatt,  whose 
sons,  John  and  Nathaniel,  lived  on  the  same  farm  and  were  famed 
as  being  the  best  farmers  in  the  neighborhood.  The  farm  has 
been  divided  into  several  parts  and  the  homestead  is  now  owned 
by  Walter  N.  Wood.  Next  north  of  the  Hyatt  farm  was  a 
tract  owned  in  former  times  by  a  family  named  Lane.  This, 
like  the  former,  has  been  long  since  subdivided,  a  large  portion 
being  now  owned  by  Mr.  Wood.  North  of  the  Lane  farm  was 
a  tract  of  400  acres  owned  by  Isaac  Rhodes,  who  is  said  to  have 
been  a  Baptist  preacher  in  early  times.  This  is  also  now  divided 
among  several  owners,  the  place  where  the  old  house  stood 
being  owned  by  William  Horton.  The  original  farm  was 
bounded  north  by  the  farm  of  Abraham  Smith,  the  first  settler 


720  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

in  these  parts,  which  has  been  previously  described.  Among 
the  settlers  before  the  Revolution  was  John  Smith,  who  lived 
on  the  east  line  of  the  present  towa,  on  a  farm  now  owned  by 
Robert  W.  Lounsbury. 

In  quite  early  times,  tradition  states  that  Richard  Curry  came^ 
up  to  the  Peekskill  Hollow  from  White  Plains.  He  travelled 
on  horseback  with  his  wife,  bringing  all  his  worldly  goods  with 
him,  and  settled  below  Adams'  Corners.  While  sitting,  one 
summer  day,  with  a  young  child  between  his  knees,  a  flash  of 
lightning  killed  the  child  instantly,  leaving  the  father  unharmed. 
The  young  victim  of  the  "fires  from  heaven"  was  buried  on 
the  hill,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road,  and  from  that  time  to  the 
present  this  place  has  been  the  village  cemetery.  Here  rest  the 
men  and  women  of  a  long  past  age,  and  the  following  names 
and  dates  are  taken  from  the  tombstones  : 

Nathaniel  Tompkins,  died  Dec.  6th,  1811,  age  81;  Elizabeth, 
wife,  June,  1825,  74;  Isaac  Post,  July  3d,  1842,  80;  Sarah  Post, 
May  ISth,  1858,84;  Nathaniel  Barger,  Dec.,U816,  37;  Phebe, 
daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Barger,  Sept.  9th,  1830,  44;  Phebe, 
daughter  of  Robert  Tompkins,  Aug.  2d,  1807,  26;  Ann  Hill,  Jan. 
30th,  1794,  52;  William  Colgrove,  Nov.  13th,  1811,  75;  John 
Colgrove,  Dec.  17th,  1841,  74;  Sarah,  wife,  March  31st,  1842,  70; 
Charles  Dusenbury,  Oct.  28th,  1839,  70;  Elizabeth,  .wife,  June 
14th,  1863,  77;  Andrew  McCastline,  July  29th,  1849,  89;  Daniel 
D.  Tompkins,  Feb.  4th,  1858,  72;  Phebe,  wife,  Nov.  1st,  1867,  79; 
Joshua  Tompkins,  April  20th,  1856,  65;  Hannah,  wife,  May  4th, 
1869,  79;  Robert  Post,  Dec.  20th,  1853,  76;  Mary,  wife,  'Sept. 
15th,  1865,  89;  James  Odell,  May  24th,  1880,  59;  Mary,  wife, 
July  18th,  1862,  37;  Henry  Gillette,  Aug.  3d,  1858,  70;  Mary, 
wife,  July  18th,  1848,  62;  Wm.  H.  Gillette,  Dec.  18th,  1878,  69; 
John  W.  Post,  May  2d,  1879,  65;  Gabriel  Christian,  April  1st, 
1841,  37;  Laura,  wife,  Sept.  28th,  1863,  85;  James  S.  Adams, 
April  15th,  1876,  64;  John  Odell,  Nov.  25th,  1851,  95;  Susanna, 
wife,  June  25th,  1842,  86;  Stephen  McCabe,  Dec.  17th,  1866,  78; 
Nathaniel M.  Tompkins,  Aug.  3d,  1869,  88;  Polly,  wife,  Oct.  30th, 
1848,  46;  Nathaniel  Crawford,  Feb.  7th,  1858,  71;  Hannah,  wife, 
June  12th,  1854,  63;  William  Dusenbury,  Nov.  7th,  1815,  84; 
Sarah,  wife,  March  3d,  1821,  88;  Margaret  Lee,  June,  1847,  79; 
Tamar,  wife  of  Samuel  Tompkins,  Esq.,  Feb.  13th,  1826,  28; 
Cornelius  Tompkins,  Esq.,  Jan.  30th,  1826,  69;  William  Arm- 
strong, Jan.  27th,   1808,   35;  Mary,  wife,  March  27th,  1855,  77; 


TOWN   OF   PUTNAM    VALLEY.  721 

Selah  Armstrong,  Sept.  5th,  1827,  21;  Edward  Buckbee,  Dec. 
14th,  1839,  71;  Elizabeth,  wife,  March  13th,  1821,  49;  Lewis 
Buckbee,  Aug.  19th,  1883,  72;  Solomon  Avery,  May  13th,  1833. 
75;  Sarah,  wife,  May  12th,  1828,  62;  John  Adams,  Nov.  19th, 
1819,  55;  Charlotte,  wife,  June  7th,  1847,  85;  Harvey  Adams, 
July  24th,  1880,  82;  Jeremiah  Chapman,  Nov.  22d,  1855,  80; 
Mary,  wife,  May  4th,  1849,  77;  James  Cole,  Jan.  26th,  1869,  61; 
Ebenezer  Cole,  June  2d,  1855,  69;  Elizabeth,  wife.  May  26th, 
1876,  84;  Job  Chapman,  Dec.  2d,  1844,  66;  Jeremiah  Chapman, 
Dec.  9th,  1831,  87;  Leonory,  wife,  July  17th,  1828,  71;  Elijah 
Bull,  Feb.  14th,  1855,  84;  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  Oct.  3d,  1852, 
66;  Phebe,  wife,  Sept.  2d,  1875,  78;  Cornelius  Barger,  Feb.  27th, 
1847,  77;  Catharine,  wife,  Sept.  27th,  1842,  45;  Rebecca,  wife, 
Aug.  31st,  1862,  90;  Stephen  Barger,  Aug.  25th,  1862,  70;  Wil- 
liam A.  Armstrong,  Nov.  12th,  1865,  42;  John  Barger,  Dec.  24th, 
1856,  80;  Wesley  Christian,  June  6th,  1849,  50;  William  C.  Smith, 
June  21st,  1862,  41;  Cornelius  Pierce,  July  19th,  1880,  53;  Mi- 
nerva, wife,  April  3d,  1868,  43;  Margaret,  wife  of  Samuel  Pierce, 
April  15th,  1849,  65;  Alexander  Armstrong,  July  13th,  1856,  23; 
Sarah  A.  Armstrong,  Nov.  18th,  1854,  44;  Lee  Horton,  April  5th, 
1847,  61;  Mary,  wife.  May  22d,  1862,  66;  John  L.  Horton,  Dec. 
4th,  1829,  83;  Sarah,  wife,  Oct.  14th,  1827,  75;  Iska,  wife  of 
Reuben  Barger,  May  30th,  1819,  27. 

The  title  of  this  burying  ground  seems  to  have  remained  in 
doubt  for  many  years.  October  5th,  1842,  Charles  Adams  and 
others  sell,  for  a  nominal  consideration,  to  "  the  trustees  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Philipstown  Circuit,  in  Putnam 
Valley,"  "  all  that  cerrain  tract  of  land  situate  on  the  north- 
westerly side  of  the  Peekskill  Hollow  road,  beginning  at  an  ash 
tree  standing  by  the  brook  on  the  northwesterly  side  of  said 
road,  and  running  along  the  land  of  Nicholas  Purdy,  thence 
north,  &c.,  for  the  use  of  a  burial  ground  for  the  neighborhood, 
and  for  all  other  persons,  whom  the  party  of  the  second  part 
may  permit  to  be  buried  there." 

North  of  Tompkins'  Corners,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  by 
the  side  of  the  creek,  is  a  small  burial  ground  containing  many 
monuments  to  the  memory  of  former  residents  in  this  part  of 
the  valley.  This  cemetery  was  incorporated  May  14th,  1853, 
under  the  name  of  the  Carmel  Valley  Burial  Ground,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  at  the  house  of  William  M.  Hadden.  The  trustees 
elected  were:  Bartholemew  Tompkins,  Isaac  Hulse,  Hiram 
46 


722  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Adams,  Isaac  S.  Austin,  Ira  Conklin,  Moses  Hadden,  Norman 
L.  Travis,  William  H.  Hadden,  Robert  Baker,  Ebenezer  Lock- 
wood,  Daniel  Lockwood,  John  Hulse,  Samuel  Christian  and 
Titus  Sackrider. 

The  following  names  and  dates  are  copied  from  tombstones  : 
Reuben  Tompkins,  died  July  11th,  1880,  age  90;  Jane,  wife, 
Feb.  24th,  1867,  76;  John  J.  Depew,  Feb.  16th,  1862,  26;  Jason 
Adams,  Jan.  9th,  1854,  84;  Hannah,  wife,  April  1st,  1857,  63; 
Asa  Adams,  Jan.  27th,  1853,  77;  Mary,  wife,  Sept.  29th,  1846, 
71;  Bartholemew  Tompkins,  Nov.  25th,  1853,  85;  Rachel,  wife, 
May  22d,  1836,  72;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Solomon  Sackrider,  April 
15th,  1866,  lOOy.,  3m.,  15d.;  John  Barrett,  June  25th,  1865,  66; 
Isaac  S.  Austin,  Sept.  4th,  1871,  97;  Susan,  wife,  Dec.  17th, 
1862,  86;  Rachel  Austin,  Jan.  3d,  1873,  76;  Silas  Austin,  Feb. 
13th,  1855,  58;  William  M.  Hadden,  June  2d,  1854,  68;  Stephen 
Hulse,  July  21st,  1854,  86;  John  Hulse,  Aug,  12th,  1854,  58; 
Abm.  Sackrider,  Feb.  9th,  1864,  66;  Titus  Sackrider,  March  27th, 
1879,  80. 

The  Peekskill  Hollow  Methodist  Church  was  organized 
at  a  meeting  held  Maj-ch  26th,  1834,  at  which  Rev.  Daniel 
Holmes  presided.  The  trustees  elected  were  Ananias  Tomp- 
kins, David  Reed,  and  Morris  Baxter.  On  the  16th  of  April, 
1835,  Bartholemew  Tompkins  sold  to  the  above  named  trustees, 
''  a  lot  on  the  west  side  of  the  Putnam  and  Dutchess  turnpike, 
containing  one  quarter  of  an  acre  for  the  purpose  of  building 
a  meeting  house."  The  church  was  erected  shortly  after,  its 
title  being  "The  Fifth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Philips- 
town." 

On  the  small  stream  which  is  the  outlet  of  Barger  Pond,  and 
near  the  Westchester  line,  not  far  from  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  town,  was  a  mill,  owned  in  the  last  century  by  one 
Warden.  It  was  sold  many  years  ago  to  Abijah  Lee,  and  he 
tore  the  old  mill  down  and  built  a  new  one  a  short  distance 
further  north.  He  afterward  sold  the  place  to  James  Fowler 
and  for  many  years  it  was  extensively  known  as  "  Fowler's 
Mills."  Abijah  Lee,  the  former  owner,  went  to  Lake  Osca- 
wana,  and  built  a  large  boarding  house. 

The  central  portion  of  Putnam  Valley  is  a  very  hilly  and 
mountainous  tract.  One  of  the  principal  features  of  this  region 
is   the  sheet  of  water  now  known  as  Oscawana  Lake.     The 


TOWN    OF   PUTJSTAM    VALLET.  723 

original  name  of  this  lake  was  "Horton's  Pond,"  from  John 
Horton,  who  owned  the  land  on  the  west  side,  having  purchased 
it  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  after  the  Revolation. 
In  the  deed  of  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  to  William  Col- 
grove  it  is  called  Long  Pond.  Oscawana  Lake  has  an  area  of 
601  acres  with  an  average  depth  of  30  feet.  The  picturesque 
beauty  of  this  lake  is  widely  known  and  nothing  but  its  com- 
parative inaccessibility  prevents  it  from  being  a  very  popular 
resort. 

The  land  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake  was  bought  from  the 
commissioners  of  forfeitures  by  John  Colgrove,  about  1780.  It 
afterward  passed  into  the  hands  of  Charles  Wilson,  of  New 
York,  and  was  sold  to  Samuel  E.  Lyons  in  1857.  A  portion  of 
this  tract  was  sold  by  him  to  Judge  William  H.  Scrugham,  and 
it  is  now  owned  by  Joseph  Lee.  A  small  tract,  including  "  the 
island  called  Otter  Island,"  was  sold  by  Mr.  Lyons  to  Mrs. 
Ruth  C.  Ogden,  in  1863,  and  is  still  in  her  possession.  The 
land  on  the  east  side  of  the  lake  belonged  to  the  Barger  family 
from  early  days,  and  much  of  it  is  still  owned  by  their  descend- 
ants. The  Dunderherg  Club  was  organized  in  May,  1882,  the 
members  being  Stephen  D.  Horton,  Henry  W.  Lane,  Franklin 
Couch,  Benjamin  McCabe,  Warren  Jordan,  Stephen  Lent, 
Henry  L.  Armstrong  and  others.  The  object  of  the  association 
was  purchasing,  maintaining  and  improving  real  estate  at  Lake 
Oscawana.  The  capital  of  this  society  was  to  be  $2,500.  The 
club  purchased  the  Island  known  as  Wheat  Island,  and  made 
use  of  it  as  a  resort  for  fishing  and  other  amusements,  and 
social  relaxation. 

The  Canopus  Hollow  lies  in  the  western  part  of  the  town, 
and,  like  Peekskill  Hollow,  is  bounded  on  each  side  by  rugged 
hills  or  mountains.  The  hollow  runs  from  northeast  toward 
the  southwest,  and  the  western  line  of  the  town  crosses  it  at  the 
Croft  Iron  Mine.  Through  the  valley  runs  the  Canopus  Creek, 
which  rises  at  the  Philipstown  Turnpike,  near  the  place  where 
the  second  toll  gate  used  to  stand,  and  empties  into  the  stream 
of  Annsville,  above  Peekskill,  and  thus  finds  its  way  into  the 
Hudson  River.  After  the  Revolution,  a  tract  of  425  acres  was 
sold  by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  to  John  Meeks.  This 
tract  began  on  the  east  side  of  the  parsonage  farm,  in  Lot  1  of 
the  Philipse  Patent,  and  was  a  long  narrow  piece  of  land  which 


724  HISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

began  on  the  Westchester  line  and  ran  up  the  Canopus  Hollow, 
to  a  point  near  the  Croft  Mine,  on  the  east  line  of  Lot  1. 

The  land  on  which  the  Croft  Iron  Mine  is  situated  was  sold 
by  the  commissioners  of  forfeitures  to  Abraham  Baker  in  1784, 
the  record  being  No.  490,  in  Liber  8,  of  Deeds,  in  Dutchess 
county  clerk's  office.  It  is  described  as  "Beginning  at  a  white 
oak  treet,  where  Jedidah  Frost's  land  corners,  and  runs  south 
85  degrees  east  35  chains  to  a  rock  near  David  Hill's  house. 
Thence  South  61  degrees  east,  20  chains,  to  a  rock  where  David 
Hill's  and  Joseph  Bard's  lands  join,  then  along  said  Bard's 
land  South  46  degrees  west,  5  chains  to  a  Birch  tree,  then  along 
the  land  of  said  Bard  to  the  line  of  the  widow  Van  Tassel, 
thence  along  said  line  to  John  Likely' s  land,  and  along  the 
the  same  to  the  line  of  land  formerly  of  Peter  Pinkney,  thence 
along  the  same  to  the  Water  Lot  line,  thence  north  10  degrees 
east  along  the  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning,"  containing 
438  acres. 

Abraham  Baker  sold  55^  acres  of  this  tract  to  John  Meeks  in 
April,  1791.  John  Meeks  died  about  1798,  and  in  his  will  he 
left  this  piece  of  land  to  his  grandson,  James  Meeks,  son  of  his 
son,  John  Meeks.  He  in  turn  sold  25  acres  to  Joshua  Meeks 
August  23d,  1821.  This  piece  is  described  as  running  north 
along  the  Water  Lot  line  to  the  southeast  corner  of  "Long 
Pond  "  and  was  bounded  north  by  Joshua  Horton's  land.  It 
was  sold  by  Joshua  Meeks  to  John  Croft,  May  7th,  1828,  and 
in  1832,  he  gave  a  perpetual  lease  to  Herman  Ruggles  for  "  all 
ores,  fossils  and  minerals."  This  lease  was  assigned  to  Christo- 
pher Wolfe  in  1834,  but  seems  to  have  been  abandoned.  In 
1868,  the  same  lands  were  leased  to  the  Peekskill  Iron  Company. 
The  55  acres  which  were  sold  to  John  Meeks  by  Abraham  Baker, 
appear  to  have  been  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  Barker  farm, 
and  on  this  the  Croft  Iron  Mine  is  situated,,  and  is  very  near 
the  original  west  line  of  division  between  Lots  4  and  1,  of  the 
Philipse  Patent.  The  right  to  get  iron  ore  from  the  mine  was 
leased  to  John  S.  Shaw,  in  1854,  and  to  Seth  Allen,  in  1860. 
By  foreclosure  of  mortgage,  the  right  was  sold  to  Lewis  C. 
Clark,  in  1877,  and  he  transferred  it  to  Thompson  J.  Flint  and 
others  in  1879.  A  large  portion  of  the  John  Meeks  farm  was 
sold  by  his  heirs  to  John  Croft,  and  the  farm,  which  also  in- 
cluded the  55  acres  sold  by  Abraham  Baker,  was  known  as  the 
Croft  farm,  and  gave  its  name  to  the  iron  mine  situated  upon 


TOWN    OP   PUTNAM   VALLEY.  725 

it.  John  Croft  died  January  5th,  1875,  at  the  age  of  88,  and 
the  farm  was  sold  by  his  sons,  Matthias  and  St.  John  Croft, 
to  Edward  Flint,  February  2d,  1880.  The  Flint  family  owned 
the  Peekskill  Iron  Works,  and  by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature 
May  28tli,  1872,  they  were  authorized  to  build  a  narrow  guage 
railroad  from  the  mine  to  the  furnaces  at  Peekskill.  The  right 
of  way  through  the  old  parsonage  farm  was  purchased  from 
the  heirs  of  David  McCoy,  in  1878.  The  mine  supplied  a  very 
superior  quality  of  ore,  but  mining  operations  have  been  sus- 
pended of  late  years. 

The  remaining  part  of  the  Abraham  Baker  farm  seems  to  have 
been  sold  to  Joshua  Horton,  about  1798,  and  was  for  a  long 
time  in  the  possession  of  the  Horton  family.  This  was  a  tract 
of  about  400  acres,  which  lay  on  both  sides  of  Canopus  Creek, 
extending  the  whole  width  of  the  valley.  Joshua  Horton,  the 
ancestor  of  the  family,  came  here  soon  after  the  Revolution.  The 
farm,  after  his  death,  was  divided  among  his  sons,  and  the 
families  were  so  numerous  that  the  locality  took  the  name  of 
"  Horton  Hollow."  These  sons  were  Cyrus,  John,  Jasper,  James 
and  Isaac.  Of  these,  Cyrus  had  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr. 
Barrett.  John  owned  the  farm  now  in  possession  of  the  heirs 
of  Cyrus  B.  Horton.  The  farm  of  Jasper  now  belongs  to  Stephen 
B.  Weeks.  James  Horton' s  farm  belongs  now  to  James  Chap- 
man, while  Isaac's  farm  is  the  property  of  Randolph  Croft,  and 
was  the  one  farthest  south.  The  house  of  Cyrus  Horton  was 
the  place  where  town  meetings  were  held  in  former  days,  and 
the  first  meetings  of  the  Baptist  society  were  also  held 
there.  Cyrus  B.  Horton,  son  of  Isaac,  was  the  last  of  the 
name  in  the  valley.  He  died  April  25th,  1885,  leaving  no  chil- 
dren. All  of  this  family  were  respected  citizens  and  people  of 
good  moral  and  religious  character.  A  family  burying  ground, 
on  the  old  farm,  contains  the  graves  of  the  various  generations. 
A  plain  red  stone  bears  the  inscription,  "In Memory  of  Joshua 
Horton,  who  died  Nov.  11th,  1811,  aged  60  years,  1  month  and 
20  days."  His  wife,  Phebe  Swartwout,  died  September  8th, 
1807,  aged  47  years,  7  months  and  23  days.  Joshua  Horton  and 
his  sons,  Cyrus  and  Isaac,  were  all  supervisors  of  Philipstown, 
and  Cyrus  Horton  was  also  justice,  town  clerk,  and  judge  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  Cyrus  B.  Horton,  the  last  of  the 
name  here,  was  a  staid  and  quiet  old  bachelor   of    the   olden 


726  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

time.  A  good  man  and  an  able  supporter  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
he  was  almost  its  last  surviving  member. 

Among  the  early  settlers  inCanopus  Hollow  was  John  Likely, 
who  came  from  Scotland.  In  early  days,  he  was  town  clerk  of 
Philipstown  and  the  town  meetings  were  sometimes  held  at  his 
house.  The  old  homestead,  in  Canopus  Hollow,  is  now  owned 
by  Ebenezer  Likely.  John  Likely  had  sons,  William  and  John. 
The  latter  married  Mary  Cole.  Their  children  were:  William, 
James,  Eleazer,  John,  Margaret,  Esther,  Delia,  Sarah  and  Mary. 
Margaret  married  Thomas  Utter,  whose  son,  John  E.,  is  the 
keeper  of  the  town  hall,  at  Cold  Spring. 

Baptist  Church,  Croft's  Corners. — This  church  was  the 
first  and  only  church  of  this  denomination  established  within 
the  present  limits  of  the  town,  and  was  constituted  a  District 
Church,  May,  1841.  The  following  list  includes  most  if  not  all 
of  the  early  members  of  the  church:  Samuel  Sarles,  Anna 
Sarles,  Caleb  Hazen,  Wm.  Adams,  Phebe  Adams,  Mary  Barrett, 
Phebe  Adams,  Hannah  Buckbee,  Polly  Dobbs,  Charles  Smith, 
Margaret  Light,  Susan  Colgrove,  Margaret  Smith,  Nancy  Odell, 
Mary  Cummings,  Esther  Brewer,  Comfort  Chadwick,  Sarah 
Horton,  Abm.  Odell,  John  Griffin,  Mary  Horton,  Kichard  Moon, 
Catharine^  Steel,  Ann  C.  Horton,  Nancy  Lookwood,  Abraham 
Likely,  Sarah  Likely,  Betsy  Cole,  Jane  Odell. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  first  church  meeting,  as 
found  in  the  church  book: 

"  April  16th,  1842.  Church  met  according  to  appointment. 
Rev.  John  Noy,  chosen  Moderator,  opened  by  prayer  by  Brother 
Noy.  After  inquiry  found  the  brethren  and  sisters  in  unity, 
and  a  general  desire  amongst  them,  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion. 
Charles  Q.  Smith  was  chosen  Clerk." 

"May  14th,  church  meeting  called  for  the  ordination  of  Bro. 
Samuel  Sarles,  Bro.  John  Noy,  Brother  Milden  Adams,  Caleb 
Hazen,  Bro.  Charles  Smith  chosen  to  sit  in  council  with  the 
brethren  from  Philipstown,  Yorktown,  Red  Mills,  Kent  and 
Carmel,  on  the  3rd  Wednesday  in  June  next  at  brother  Caleb 
Hazen' s,  in  Peekskill  Hollow." 

Previous  to  this  meetings  were  held  at  the  house  of  Cyrus 
Horton,  and  the  first  meetings  were  said  to  have  been  held  under 
the  care  of  Elder  Ebenezer  Cole,  who,  like  his  brothers,  was  a 
zealous  preacher  of  this  denomination.     The  church  was  organ- 


TOWN    OF   PUTNAM   VALLEY.  727 

ized  as  a  corporation,  at  a  meeting  "  held  at  the  house  of  widow 
Sarah  Horton,"  March  4th,  1834,  the  presiding  officers  being 
Isaac  Horton  and  Nathaniel  Cole.  The  church  was  named  "  The 
Baptist  Central  Society  in  Philipstown,"  and  the  first  trustees 
were  Nathaniel  Cole,  Absalom  Mead,  Isaac  Horton,  Silas  Chap- 
man, Josiah  Mekeel  and  Marcus  Griffin.  The  first  church  meet- 
ing, which  is  mentioned  as  being  "  held  at  the  meeting  house," 
was  June  18th,  1842. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Croft's  Corners. — This 
church  was  originally  one  of  the  stations  of  the  Philipstown 
Circuit,  and  meetings  were  held  at  the  house  of  Ebenezer  Wixom. 
When  the  subject  of  building  a  Baptist  church  was  agitated, 
tradition  states  that  the  Methodists  began  ''  to  take  the  alarum," 
and  made  such  vigorous  efforts  that  they  succeeded  in  getting 
a  church  built  before  the  Baptists.  The  society  was  organized 
as  the  "  Fourth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Philipstown," 
at  a  meeting  held  March  12th,  1834,  and  Lee  Horton,  Ebenezer 
Wixom  and  James  H.  Adams  were  chosen  trustees.  On  the  first 
of  April  of  that  year,  William  Sellick  gave  to  the  above  trus- 
tees a  deed  for  "a  certain  lot  of  land,  bounded  as  follows:  Be- 
ginning at  the  southwest  corner  of  said  lot  at  the  road,  running 
north  13  degrees  east  91  links  along  the  land  of  Robert  Post, 
thence  South  79i  degrees  east  2  chains  along  the  land  of  Wm. 
Sellick  thence  South  15i  degrees  west  along  the  land  of  Wm. 
Sellick  25  links,  thence  South  88i  degrees  east  along  the  land  of 
said  Sellick  1  chain  70  links  to  the  road,  and  thence  along  the 
road  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  J  acre.  In  trust  that 
they  shall  erect  a  charch  or  place  of  worship,  for  the  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church." 

In  April,  1868,  Peter  Smith  conveyed  to  the  trustees  of  the 
several  Methodist  Episcopal  churches  of  Putnam  Valley,  a  lot 
of  land  containing  four  acres,  on  the  south  side  of  the  highway 
leading  from  Croft's  Corners  to  Peekskill  Hollow  road,  by  the 
Mill  Brook.  This  is  the  present  parsonage  lot,  which  is  very 
conveniently  situated,  and  both  the  church  and  parsonage  are  a 
credit  to  the  people  of  the  town. 

Among  the  old  records  of  Philipstown,  we  find  the  following 
entry  of  the  laying  out  of  a  road.  The  landmarks  here  men- 
tioned are  difficult  to  locate  and  we  leave  the  task  to  those  who 
feel  an  intei'est  in  the  matter: 


728  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

"June  4th,  1785,  Justus  Nelson,  Moses  Dusenbury  and  Joshua 
Nelson,  Commissioners  of  the  highways  of  Philipstown,  layed 
out  a  Road  beginning  at  a  white  oak  tree  standing  on  the  line 
between  Post  and  Odell  and  Joseph  Bard  to  the  south  of  the 
bridge  leading  to  Philip  Steinback's,  as  the  road  goes  by  the 
Montrosses  to  Steinback's  house  on  the  east  side  of  the  Canopus 
river.  Beginning  up  the  said  river  on  the  west  side  of  the 
cleared  land  of  the  said  Steinback  near  the  upper  end  of  the 
farm.  At  the  upper  end  of  the  farm  the  said  Steinback  is  to 
cause  it  to  be  a  good  road  up  the  hill,  to  the  field  of  Dr.  Stan- 
ley, from  thence  by  the  line  of  marked  trees,  to  the  road  lead- 
ing from  Peekskill  Hollow,  to  the  Post  road  by  sunking  meadow 
near  the  mill.  To  be  2  rods  wide,  which  we  allow  the  same  to 
be  entered  in  the  town  book." 

Mines  in  Putnam  Valley. — The  wild  and  rugged  mountaiss 
of  this  town,  though  unfavorable  to  the  agriculturalist,  contain 
mineral  wealth  which  has  not  yet  been  fully  developed.  The 
first  attempt  to  explore  for  minerals  was  made  in  1756,  and  in 
that  year  Col.  Beverly  Robinson  granted  permission  to  Jacobus 
Ter  Boss  and  John  Burnett  "  to  dig  and  search  for  mines  and 
ore  for  21  years."  The  terms  of  this  grant  were,  that  they 
should  pay  "for  the  first  yea,r  two  fowls;"  for  the  next  ten, 
they  were  to  give  "one  quarter  of  the  ore;"  and  for  the  next 
ten  years  "one  third  of  the  ore,  the  same  to  be  delivered  at  the 
river."  From  that  time  to  the  present,  the  iron  mines  of  this 
town  have  been  worked  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  In  Peeks- 
kill  Hollow,  a  mile  or  two  above  Tompkins'  Corners,  is  a  bed  of 
Limonite  or  Hematite  iron,  and  more  than  fifty  years  ago  the 
mine  was  opened  and  considerable  ore  taken  out,  by  one  Na- 
thaniel Bradley,  of  Connecticut,  who  purchased  a  large  amount 
of  mineral  property  in  the  Highlands.  The  work  was  soon 
abandoned,  as  the  ore  contained  too  much  silica  to  work  well  in 
the  furnace.  A  vein  of  magnetic  iron  ore  runs  through  the 
northern  part  of  the  town,  and  was  known  as  the  Philipse  vein, 
as  it  ran  through  land  which  was  purchased  by  Frederick 
Philipse,  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century.  This  vein 
has  been  traced  for  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  and  is  believed  to 
be  continuous,  except  where  interrupted  by  dykes  and  trans- 
verse heaves  of  the  strata.  Many  mines  have  been  opened  on 
this  vein.     The  Cold  Spring  Turnpike  crosses  it,  near  the  crest 


TOWN    OP   PUTNAM    VALLEY.  729 

of  the  mountain,   about   the  middle  of  the  north  line  of  this 
town.     A  large  tract  of  1,000  acres,  in  this  vicinity,  was  owned 
about  the  year  1800,  by  Col.  Alexander  Stewart,  and  a  mine  was 
opened  there,  and  a  large  quantity  of  excellent  ore  taken  out. 
The  land  afterward  passed  into  the  possession  of  James  Agustus 
Hamilton.     A  large  tract  in  this  neighborhood  is  low,  and  pre- 
sents the  appearance  of  having  sunk  down,  and  the  mine  here  is 
known  as  the  Sunk  Mine.     Here  a  forge  was  erected  and  dams 
built  on  the  stream,  and  quite  a  business  was  carried  on.     The 
tract  was  afterward  sold  to  Paul  Forbes,  who  built  the  narrow 
guage  railroad  from  the  Sunk  Mine  to  a  point  on  the  Philips 
town  Turnpike.     On  the  south  side  of  the  turnpike  are  to  be 
seen  the  openings  of  mines,  which  were  started  long  years  ago. 
In  1828,  Silas  Slawson  sold  to  the  West  Point  Foundry  Asso- 
ciation, a  tract  of  land,  84  chains  long  and  26  chains  wide,  "be- 
ing the  same  tract  sold  by  Daniel  G-raham,  Surveyor  G-eneral,  to 
John  Armstrong  May  5th,  1786."     Mines  were  opened  on   this 
tract  and  much  ore  taken  out.     A  mile  or  two  southwest  of  this 
is  the  Denny  Mine.     A  tract  of  207  acres  was  sold  by  the  com- 
missioners of  forfeitures,  to  Richard  Denny,  after  the  Revolu- 
tion.    He  conveyed  it  to  his  son,  Thomas  Denny,  in  July,  1817, 
and  he  in  turn  sold  it  to  Peter  Denny  in  1844.     Peter  Denny 
transferred  it  to  his  son,  William  J.  Denny  in  1851,  and  his 
children  sold  it  to  George  H    Potts   October  1st,  1874.     The 
Philadelphia  and  Reading  Coal  and  Iron  Company  now  own  it. 
The  mine  was  opened  more  than  forty  years  ago,  and  thousands 
of  tons  of  excellent  ore  were  taken  from  it.     Iron  works  were 
started  at  an  early  day,  and  as  early  as  1810  Elijah  Bunnell  had 
a  forge  and  trip  hammer  on  Canopus  Creek,  and  one  Pratt  had 
a  trip  hammer,  turning  lathe  and  whip  saw  works,  on  Peekskill 
Creek,  where  the  road  over  Bryant  Hill  crosses  it,  and  where 
the  blacksmith  shop  of  Robert  Hamilton  now  is.     When  the 
Philipstown  Turnpike  was  built,  it  is  said   that  a  deposit  of 
plumbago  was  discovered  by  Dr.  Parks,  the  contractor  ^'near 
the  old  saw  mill,  one  mile  east  of  Mekeel's  Corners."     It  was 
announced  at  one  time  that  red  anthracite  coal  had   been   dis- 
covered in  the  Cano^jus  Valley,  but  it  is  needless  to  say  that  it 
was  nothing  of  the  kind. 

Hempstead  Huts. — In  the  western  part  of  the  town,  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  John  B.  Gillett,  are  the  remains  of  an  encampment 


730  HISTORY    OF    PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

of  troops,  in  Eevolutionary  times.  Two  companies  from  Hemp- 
stead, Long  Island,  with  a  detachment  of  troops  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts line,  were  encamped  here  in  the  winters  of  1779-80, 
and  the  quarters  which  they  built  were  called  the  "  Hempstead 
Huts."  Relics  of  the  stone  chimmeys  and  fire  places  may  yet 
be  seen,  though  of  course  the  huts  themselves  have  long  since 
disappeared.  Late  in  the  fall  of  1779,  Washington  established 
a  line  of  military  posts  from  West  Point  through  this  county 
and  northern  Westchester  to  Redding  in  Connecticut.  The  ob- 
ject being  to  guard  against  attempts  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to 
pass  through  the  Highlands,  G-eneral  Putnam  was  stationed  at 
Redding,  with  some  three  or  four  thousand  men.  He  had  under 
his  command  Gen.  Poor's  Hampshire  Brigade,  two  brigades  of 
Connecticut  troops,  a  corps  of  infantry  under  Colonel  Hazen,  and 
a  corps  of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Sheldon.  The  first  post  was  at 
the  house  where  Capt.  Samuel  Jeffords  lived,  after  his  retire- 
ment from  the  army,  a  short  distance  north  of  Continental  Vil- 
lage. This  was  called  N^ew  Boston  by  the  Massachusetts  of- 
ficers. The  second  post  was  the  Hempstead  Huts  we  have 
mentioned. 

Mountain  Chapel.— A  Methodist  church,  bearing  this  name, 
is  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  a  short  distance  east 
of  Canopus  Creek.  The  land  on  which  it  stands  was  given  to 
the  trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Putnam 
Valley  February  3d,  1844,  and  the  chapel  was  built  soon  after, 
and  is  described  as  "a  lot  four  rods  west  of  a  house  on  a  road 
leading  from  Cold  Spring  Turnpike  to  Peekskill  Hollow."  For 
the  following  interesting  sketch,  we  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Morris 
Perry,  who  has  long  been  identified  with  its  interests: 

"Before  the  building  of  this  church,  prayer  meetings  and 
some  preaching  were  held  in  an  old  log  school  house,  about  15 
rods  from  this  church,  where  the  road  corners.  I  recollect  John 
Rundle,  R.  Hopper  and  Samuel  Weeks  preaching  in  the  old 
school  house,  before  this  church  was  built.  With  my  school- 
mates, I  have  played  many  a  time  on  the  ground  where  this 
church  now  stands.  It  being  a  warm  place,  we  came  here  to  get 
out  of  the  wind.  The  school  house  being  too  small,  it  was  not 
suitable  for  meetings,  and  Joel  Bunnell,  being  leader  at  the 
time,  rose  at  the  close  of  the  services  and  proposed  the  building 
of  a  place  of  worship.     The  people  seemed  ready  and  willing, 


TOWN    OF    PUTNAM    VALLEY.  731 

for  they  had  a  mind  to  work.  The  question  then  arose,  where 
shall  we  set  it;  some  had  a  mind  to  set  it  farther  east,  and  get 
off  this  hill,  but  in  figuring  on  the  expense  they  found  they 
could  raise  more  money  to  set  it  here  than  elsewhere.  This  site 
being  agreed  upon,  the  inhabitants  were  anxious  to  commence 
the  building.  While  the  hewers  were  busy  in  the  woods  and 
teams  drawing  the  timber  others  were  laying  the  foundation 
and  in  a  few  weeks  or  months  at  most  the  church  was  com- 
pleted. The  carpenters  who  worked  upon  this  church  were 
Leonard  Ferris  and  James  Post.  Sylvester  Warren  and  one 
Ladoe  did  the  mason  work. 

"  We  here  mention  to  the  best  of  our  memory  the  names  of 
those  that  contributed  of  their  money,  labor,  or  both,  to  the 
building  of  this  church  :  Joel  Bunnell,  Keuben  Perry,  Isaac 
Conklin,  Peter  Bell,  Leonard  Gumming,  Hezekiah  Odell,  Reuben 
Odell,  William  Conklin.  Among  this  number  Joel  Bunnell  and 
Reuben  Perry  had  been  leaders  of  a  class;  most  of  them  have 
died. 

"  The  church  being  now  ready  it  was  consecrated  to  the  ser- 
vice of  Almighty  Q-od,  by  Rev.  King,  who  was  then  pastor  on 
Putnam  Valley  Circuit,  this  church  then  being  a  part  of  his 
charge.  The  congregation  on  this  occasion  was  so  large  that 
probably  not  more  than  two  thirds  of  the  people  could  get  in. 
It  then  took  the  name  of  the  Mountain  Chapel. 

"From  the  building  of  the  church  our  appointments  for 
preaching  were  every  two  weeks  for  a  number  of  years,  but 
since  that  time  it  has  been  irregular.  There  had  been  efforts 
made  at  times  to  hold  a  Sabbath  school,  but  with  apparently 
little  success  until  about  the  year  1868,  when  it  was  organized 
by  Allen  Gr.  Newman  and  Ferris  Jaycox,  who  are  now  superin- 
tendents, and  no  doubt  are  the  men  for  the  place. 

"In  the  summer  of  1884  the  church  was  repaired  inside  and 
out,  with  some  additions,  it  being  completed  some  time  in  July. 
On  the  7th  day  of  August  the  reopening  services  were  held  by 
Rev.  Crosby,  after  which  a  board  of  officers  were  elected,  con- 
sisting of  John  Woolcox,  Semour  S.  Warden  and  Moses  Perry 
trustees;  Ferris  Jaycox,  Treasurer;  Morris  Perry,  Secretary, 
and  over  these  Allen  G.  Newman,  president." 

Oregon. — In  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town  is  a  small  vil- 
lage called  Oregon.  A  post  office  is  located  here  and  a  Methodist 


732  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

church.  On  the  Peekskill  Creek  at  this  place  there  has  been  a 
mill  seat  for  many  years.  A  paper  mill  which  stood  here  was 
burned  December  27th,  1865,  but  was  rebuilt  shortly  after. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Chukch  in  Oregon  was  organized 
in  1859.  The  first  trustees  were  Caleb  Leverich,  James  Lent, 
Caleb  Pierce,  Charles  Sherwood  and  Amos  Barger.  The  church 
building  was  erected  in  1860,  and  was  dedicate!^  July  22d  of  the 
same  year.  The  land  for  the  church  lot  was  purchased  of  James 
Sherwood,  and  among  the  most  liberal  donators  to  the  church 
Charles  Sherwood  should  be  especially  mentioned.  The  builder 
of  the  edifice  was  David  Travis,  and  the  cost  was  81,400.  This 
church,  together  with  the  churches  at  Croft's  Corners  and 
Peekskill  Hollow,  belong  to  a  circuit,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Dutcher  is 
the  present  minister  in  charge. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  town,  very  near  the  original  line 
between  Lots  1  and  4  of  Philipse  Patent,  is  a  small  lake.  On  the 
border  of  this  lake  lived  in  former  times  a  man  named  Solomon 
Depew,  and  from  him  it  took  the  name,  and  was  generally 
known  as  "Solomon  Depew' s  Pond."  This  was  afterward 
called  "  Sol  Depew' s  Pond,"  and  by  a  gradual  series  of  changes 
has  acquired  the  name  of  "  Solpew  Pond,"  and  by  this  title 
appears  on  the  maps. 

That  portion  of  the  town  of  Carmel  which  lay  to  the  east  of 
Peekskill  Creek  was  practically  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the 
town,  and  the  inhabitants  were  desirous  of  being  annexed  to 
Putnam  Valley,  which  was  done  in  1861. 

"  Act  to  annex  a  part  of  the  town  of  Carmel,  in  the  County 
of  Putnam,  to  the  town  of  Putnam  Valley,  in  said  County. 
Passed  April  13th,  1861. 

"I.  All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Carmel,  in  the  County  of 
Putnam,  lying  westerly  of  the  Peekskill  Hollow  Creek  in  said 
town,  is  hereby  annexed  to  and  shall  hereafter  form  a  part  of 
the  town  of  Putnam  Valley  in  said  County,  and  said  creek  from 
the  north  line  of  the  town  of  Carmel  to  the  point  where  said 
creek  crosses  the  present  line  between  the  said  towns  of  Carmel 
and  Putnam  Valley  shall  hereafter  form  so  much  of  the  line 
between  said  towns." 

Supervisors  :  Nathaniel  Cole,  1839;  Daniel  D.  Travis,  1840  ; 
Saxton  Smith,  1841-2;  Nathaniel  Cole,  1843;  Monmouth  Buck- 
bee,  1844;  Nathaniel  Cole,  1845;   Monmouth  Buckbee,  1846-48; 


TOWN    OF   PUTNAM    VALLEY.  733 

Abm.  Reqiia,1849;  Saxton  Smith,  1850-51;  Abm.  Requa,  1852-54; 
Joseph  Strong,1855;  Monmouth  Buckbee,  1856-57;  Saxton  Smith, 
1858;  Lewis  Bnckbee,  1859;  Saxton  Smith,  1860;  John  S.  Avery, 
1861;  Saxton  Smith,  1862-63;  Thomas  N.  Jones,  1864;  Monmouth 
Buckbee,  1865-66;  Saxton  Smith,  1867-76;  James  O.  Cole,  1877; 
Jackson  Perry,  1878-82;  Solomon  Post,  1883;  George  F.  Bar- 
more,  1884-85;  Selah  Armstrong,  1886. 

Walter  N".  Wood  is  a  lineal  descendant  ©f  Henry  Wood, 
who  came  to  America  in  the  "  Mayflower,"  and  who  purchased 
a  farm  at  Middleborough,  Mass.,  in  the  year  1640.  The  descend- 
ants of  this  noble  seeker  after  religious  liberty  remained  in  and 
about  that  place  until  Mr.  Walter  N..  Wood's  great-grandfather, 
Nathaniel  Wood,  who  was  a  captain  in  the  Continental  Army, 
and  who  served  with  distinction  all  through  the  Revolution,  re- 
moved to  Vermont,  where  he  took  up  a  farm  at  a  town  after- 
ward called  after  him  (because  he  was  the  first  white  settler  on 
the  ground)  Woodstock. 

His  son,  William,  who,  like  his  father,  served  in  the  Reijolu- 
tion,  was  born  in  Woodstock,  as  was  his  grandson,  William 
Wood,  jr.,  who  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Hill,  also  of  that  place. 

Mr.  Walter  N.  Wood,  the  ninth  of  ten  children  of  this  couple, 
first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  the  old  homestead  at  South  Wood- 
stock November  23d,  1829.  Three  years  after  his  birth  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  the  western  part  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  where  his  father  purchased  and  settled  upon  a  timber 
farm.  Mr.  Wood's  description  of  this  journey,  which  in  those 
days  had  to  be  made  by  canal,  and  consumed  a  month's  time,  is 
exceedingly  interesting.  Here,  in  what  was  then  a  sparsely  set- 
tled portion  of  the  country,  the  youth  remaned  till  his  eigh- 
teenth year,  when  he  removed  to  St.  Joseph  county,  Michigan, 
where  his  father  had  purchased  another  farm,  upon  which  both 
parents  died  a  few  years  afterward. 

When  twenty-two,  Mr.  Wood  left  Michigan  for  Vermont  and 
one  year  later  came  to  New  York  city,  where  he  became  en- 
gaged as  a  clerk  in  the  retail  dry  goods  house  of  J.  H.  Town- 
send  &  Co.  For  six  years  he  remained  in  this  business,  most 
of  which  time  he  spent  with  this  firm.  At  the  close  of  this 
period  he  left  them  to  engage  in  the  produce  business,  his  first 
store  being  upon  the  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  Twenty-third 
street,  afterward  the  site  of  the  Masonic  Temple.     After  eleven 


734  'HISTOKY    OF   PUTNAM.   COUNTY. 

years  of  successful  experience  here  he  removed  to  the  present 
site,  two  blocks  lower,  on  the  corner  of  Twenty-first  street. 

Mr.  Wood's  natural  preference  for  country  life  led  him  in 
1874  to  purchase  the  beautiful  place  in  Putnam  county  which  is 
represented  in  the  accompanying  cut.  It  was  and  is  known  at 
this  time  as  the  Lane  Farm,  having  been  presented  to  its  former 
proprietor  by  the  government,  in  consideration  of  valuable  ser- 
vices which  he  had  rendered.  Since  obtaining  possession  of 
this  Mr.  Wood  has  purchased  two  other  pieces  of  property, 
making  altogether  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  acres  of  valu- 
able farming  land,  which  he  is  constantly  engaged  in  im- 
proving. 

Mr.  Wood  is  entirely  a  self-made  man.  With  little  or  no 
advantage  at  the  start  he  has  succeeded  in  winning  for  himself 
a  strong  position  in  the  commercial  world  and  has  also  gained 
for  himself  the  friendship  and  admiration  of  those  with  whom 
he  has  been  brought  into  contact.  Though  strictly  a  business 
man  he  has  ever  found  time  to  engage  in  religious  work  in  the 
city  bt  his  adoption.  He  has  been  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury a  member  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  and  for 
fifteen  years  he  has  been  one  of  its  trustees.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

Mr.  Wood  married  Miss  Catharine  Miller,  daughter  of  Col. 
William  K,.  Miller,  who  was  in  command  of  a  regiment  during 
the  War  of  1812.  He  has  had  four  sons,  one  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Arthur  E.,  the  oldest  surviving  child,  is  already  well 
known  in  real  estate  circles  about  N ew  York,  and  the  other  two, 
Frank  A.  and  Ralph  W.,  are  engaged  in  business  with  their 
father. 

Hon.  Saxton  Smith. — Among  the  early  settlers  who  came 
to  the  Philipse  Patent  when  it  was  yet  a  wilderness,  and  es- 
tablished a  home  while  yet  the  Indians  held  an  almost  undis- 
puted sway,  was  Abraham  Smith,  who  is  said  to  have  come 
from  England  about  1726,  and  for  several  years  resided  on  Long 
Island.  The  exact  time  when  he  came  to  this  part  of  the 
country  is  unknown,  but  was  probably  as  early  as  1740,  and 
tradition  has  always  spoken  of  him  as  the  first  settler  in  the 
region. 

The  place  which  he  selected  for  his  future  home  was  close  to 
the  eastern  line  of  Lot  No.  4,  and  was  part  of  what  was  known 


TinD  ^hij  ±1  B.BciU  ?  5ims,y  - 


d 


o 
o 

a 


TOWN   OF   PUTNAM    VALLEY.  735 

as  "  Beverlj^  Robinson's  Long  Lot,"  and  now  the  town  of 
Putnam  Valley.  Here,  in  one  of  the  most  beautiful  vales 
of  that  mountainous  region,  he  selected  a  tract  of  a  mile 
square. 

It  is  said  that  when  he  surveyed  his  tract  he  gave  a  farm  to 
one  of  his  chain  bearers  for  his  services.  What  relationship 
existed  between  Abraham  Smith  and  the  well-known  families 
of  the  name  on  Long  Island  is  unknown.  He  is  said  to  have 
had  two  brothers,  but  no  connection  was  ever  kept  up  between 
them;  the  remoteness  of  their  dwelling  places  precluded  all 
communication  in  the  early  days. 

Abraham  Smith  was  twice  married.  His  children  were: 
Prudence,  wife  of  Abijah  Palmer  of  Dutchess  county;  Bethia, 
wife  of  Capt.  William  Hill,  the  owner  of  the  famous  "Hill 
farm  "  in  the  town  of  Carmel;  and  Abraham. 

The  last  (the  only  child  of  the  second  marriage)  was  born 
October  24th,  1763,  and  died  October  26th,  1813,  at  the  com- 
paratively early  age  of  forty-nine.  He  was  a  justice  for  many 
years,  and  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  the  town  and  county. 
He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Daniel  Knapp.  Their  children 
were:  Sarah,  Prudence,  Phebe,  Abraham  (born  October  24th, 
1788,  and  died  April  23d,  1854,  leaving  no  descendants),  Allen 
B.  and  Saxton.  Sarah,  the  oldest  daughter,  married  Samuel 
Meyrick;  Abraham  Smith  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace 
at  the  age  of  22,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the  youngest  justice 
in  the  State.  He  was  supervisor  of  Philipstown,  judge  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  surrogate  in  1840-44,  and  as  a  man 
and  citizen  he  was  highly  esteemed.  Allen  B.  and  Sarah  were 
the  only  children  that  married. 

Hon.  Saxton  Smith,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  on 
the  ancestral  homestead,  October  2d,  1802,  and  by  the  early 
death  of  his  father  he  was  deprived  of  parental  care  while  very 
young.  His  early  education  was  obtained  at  common  and 
primary  schools,  and  during  his  entire  life  he  has  been  con- 
stantly engaged  in  public  business.  The  first  office  which  he 
held  was  that  of  superintendent  of  schools,  and  he  was  after- 
ward appointed  commissioner  of  deeds.  His  first  term  of  office 
as  the  supervisor  of  Putnam  Valley  was  in  1840,  and  this  posi- 
tion he  held  at  intervals  for  many  years,  a  longer  period  than 
any  other  person. 

In  1837,  Mr.  Smith  was  the  democratic  nominee  for  member 


736  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

of  Assembly,  and  was  elected  without  opposition,  and  was  re  - 
elected  in  1839  and  also  in  1843  and  r862. 

The  reputation  he  had  gained  while  in  the  Assembly  led  to 
his  election  as  State  Senator  in  1845  and  1847,  and  he  was  elected 
for  a  third  term  in  1863.  His  course  in  the  Legislature  was  dis- 
tinguished for  a  strict  attention  to  the  duties  of  the  positions 
and  the  welfare  of  his  native  county. 

In  addition  to  cultivating  his  paternal  acres,  the  principal 
business  of  Mr.  Smith's  life  has  been  the  settling  of  estates  of 
deceased  persons,  and  the  uninterrupted  and  unquestioning  con- 
fidence of  the  public  during  a  long  term  of  years  is  sufficient 
evidence  of  his  integrity  and  ability. 

The  volumes  in  which  are  contained  the  accounts  of  more  than 
one  hundred  estates  settled  by  him  are  in  themselves  a  monu- 
ment to  patient  care  and  financial  skill. 

A  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Red  Mills,  he  has 
long  been  identified  with  the  religious  interests  of  the  com- 
munity. 

His  estate  is  one  of  the  very  few,  in  these  days  of  change, 
that  has  remained  in  the  same  family  from  colonial  times,  and 
here,  surrounded  with  all  that  can  make  life  enjoyable,  and  pos- 
sessing the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  who  know  him,  he 
passes  the  closing  years  of  a  well  spent,  active  and  useful  life. 

Mr.  Smith's  family  consists  of  himself  and  two  neices,  Caro- 
line and  Margaret,  daughters  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Meyrick. 

George  William  Lane  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  Putnam 
county,  N.  Y.,  January  8th,  1818.  He  entered  mercantile  life 
in  New  York  city  at  an  early  age,  and  continued  in  it  until  his 
death,  on  Sunday  morning,  December  30th,  1883.  In  his  early 
manhood  he  became  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Faith  in  the  Master,  which  he  then  professed,  was  the  unerring 
guide  of  his  entire  life  in  all  its  relations,  public  and  private. 
Respected,  honored  and  loved  by  all  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact, many  responsibilities  were  forced  upon  him  by  that  con- 
fidence which  his  Christian  purity  and  integrity  inspired.  "  He 
was  faithful  in  all." 

From  May,  1873,  to  February,  1875,  he  was  chamberlain  of 
the  city  of  New  York.  He  was  president  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  at  the  time  of  his  death,  a  director  of  the  Fulton 
National  Bank  and  of  the  Merchants'  National  Bank,  of  the 


TOWN   OF   PUTNA.M  VALLEY.  737 

Continental  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  the  Atlantic  Mutual 
Insurance  Company  and  of  the  Central  Trust  Company,  a  Com- 
missioner of  the  Croton  Aqueduct  Commission,  a  manager  of 
the  American  Bible  Society,  president  of  the  Society  for  Pro- 
moting the  Gospel  among  Seamen  in  the  Port  of  New  York,  a 
trustee  of  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  president  of  the 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Presbyterian  Hospital,  and  a  ruling 
elder  in  the  Madison  Square  Presbyterian  Church. 


47 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


PERSONAL  SKETCHES. 


TOWN  OF  CABMEL. 

Allen  Adams  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1853,  and  was 
married  in  1875  to  Estella  Knapp,  of  East  Fishkill,  Dutchess 
county,  N.  Y.     He  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer. 

George  Agor  was  born  in  Carmel,-  August  24th,  1824,  and  is  a 
descendant  of  an  old  Putnam  county  family.  He  was  educated 
at  the  public  schools  and  follows  the  business  of  farming.  He 
has  held  several  offices  of  trust  in  the  town.  He  was  married 
in  1854  to  Mary  Jane  Hyatt,  of  Carmel,  whose  father,  George 
L.  Hyatt,  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Mr.  Agor  is  a  successful  and 
representative  citizen. 

Harrison  Agor  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1818,  and  was  married 
to  Jane  Austin  of  the  same  town  in  1852.     They  have  four  chil 
dren.     His  father,  Charles,  grandfather,  William,  and  great- 
grandfather, Charles,  all  lived  in  this  county.     Mr.  Agor  was 
educated  at  the  public  schools  and  is  a  farmer. 

Kelsie  Agor,  a  farmer  of  Carmel,  was  born  there  in  1858,  and 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  has  been  excise  com- 
missioner two  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
at  Mahopac  Falls.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  Amanda  Curry, 
of  Carmel. 

Millard  F.  Agor,  a  merchant  of  Carmel,  was  born  in  that 
town  in  1858,  and  was  graduated  from  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Albany.  His  father,  grandfather  and  great-grandfather,  named 
respectively,  Elisha  C,  Orrin  and  William,  Avere  residents  of  this 
county.     The  family  is  of  Scotch  origin. 

George  H.  Anderson,  proprietor  of  the  well-known  Anderson 
House,  Lake  Mahopac,  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1824,  and 


PER80"WAL   SKETCHES.  739 

came  to  this  county  in  1856.  He  was  among  the  first  to  engage 
in  the  hotel  business  at  Lake  Mahopac.  Previous  to  his  re- 
moval to  Putnam  county  he  was  a  merchant  in  his  native  city. 
He  is  a  prominent  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow. 

Charles  L.  Austin  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1844,  on  the  home- 
stead where  he  still  resides,  and  which  has  been  in  possession 
of  the  family  for  over  100  years.  He  was  educated  at  the  com- 
mon schools  and  Mahopac  Academy,  and  follows  the  business 
of  farming.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Odell,  of  Carmel.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  supervisor  five  years  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  Mahopac  Falls. 

Smith  S.  Austin,  born  in  Carmel  in  1830,  is  the  son  of  Robert, 
and  grandson  of  Smith  Austin,  both  of  whom  were  residents  of 
this  county.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  is  a 
farmer,  and  lives  on  the  homestead  which  has  been  in  posses- 
sion of  the  family  over  100  years.  He  was  married  in  1859  to 
Mary  J.  Hill. 

Lewis  Baker  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1831,  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  is  a  miller.     He  married  Anna  Lockwood, 
,  of  Carmel,  in  1860. 

Jackson  Perry  Ballard  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1820,  was  edu- 
cated at  private  school  in  Carmel  village,  was  a  merchant  at 
Mahopac  20  years,  built  the  Lake  House  at  same  place,  and  has 
also  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  militia, 
has  been  postmaster  at  Mahopac  and  town  clerk  of  Carmel.  He 
was  married  in  1844  to  Sarah  Hyatt,  of  Putnam  Yalley.  His 
father,  Benjamin,  and  grandfather,  Tracy,  were  residents  of  the 
county.  He  has  one  daughter,  Naomi,  wife  of  J.  B.  F.  Haw- 
kins of  Yorktown,  Westchester  county. 

Reuben  Barger  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1830,  was  edu- 
cated at  the  common  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married 
in  1879  to  Philena  S.  Requa,  a  native  of  Putnam  Valley. 

Coleman  JR.  Barrett  was  born  in  Kent  in  1843,  was  educated 
at  the  public  schools,  and  has  followed  the  business  of  farming. 
He  was  a  director  of  the  First  Nat.  Bank  of  Carmel  three  terms. 
He  was  married  to  Emma  E.  Cole,  of  Carmel  village,  in  1879. 
His  father,  Stevens  R.,  grandfather,  John,  and  great-grand- 
father, Marquis,  were  residents  of  Putnam  county. 


740  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Ebenezer  Barrett,  a  farmer  of  Carme],  was  born  in  that  town 
in  1818,  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  and  was  married 
in  1852  to  Hester  Barrett,  of  Carmel.  They  have  one  child, 
Abigail,  who  married  Silas  Austin,  of  Carmel. 

•  Henry  Barrett,  son  of  Samuel  and  grandson  of  John,  both 
residents  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Kent  in  1840,  was  educated 
at  public  schools,  and  follows  the  business  of  a  merchant.  He 
has  been  poormaster,  and  is  postmaster  at  Mahopac  Falls. 

Moseman  Barrett  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1826,  and  was  edu- 
cated at  the  public  schools.  He  has  been  a  deacon  in  the  Bab- 
tist  church,  Mahopac  Falls,  for  25  years  and  a  trustee  a  number 
of  years.  His  first  wife  was  Margaret  M.  Gay,  whom  he  mar- 
ried in  1849,  and  his  second,  Cornelia  Ludington,  sister  of  Har- 
rison Ludington,  governor  of  Wisconsin.  He  has  one  son  liv- 
ing, George  D. 

Edward  Borel  was  born  in  Switzerland  in  1851,  came  to 
America  with  his  parents  about  1861,  and  located  iu  Connecti- 
cut. He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1873.  He  was  married  in 
1871  to  Hulda  Shrimer,  of  INew  York  city.  He  is  a  barber 
and  tobacconist. 

Charles  T.  Brewster  was  born  in  Philipstown  in  1814,  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  has  been  a  farmer  and  has  pursued 
other  callings.  He  was  collector  of  Philipstown  five  years, 
superintendent  of  poor  of  county  one  term,  supervisor  Philips- 
town  two  years,  was  elected  sheriff  in  1855,  was  member  of 
Assembly  in  1860,  and  sheriff  again  in  1861.  He  was  married 
in  1841  to  Mary  A.  Van  Winkle  of  Philipstown. 

Sela  BucTcbee  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1836,  and  was  grad- 
uated from  Claverack  Academy  and  Hudson  River  Institute, 
Columbia  county,  N.  Y.  He  is  a  contractor  and  builder,  and 
erected  the  Thompson  House,  public  school  building  at  Carmel 
and  many  others  in  the  county.  He  was  married  to  Martha  A. 
Smith,  of  Putnam  Valley,  in  1870. 

Wallace  C.  Carver,  born  in  Carmel  in  1854,  and  educated  at 
the  common  schools,  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer.  He  is  a  son 
of  Stephen  and  grandson  of  Barnabas  Carver  of  Carmel. 

II.  C.  Cole  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1841,  was  educated  at  the 
public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in  1867  to 
Hannah  Carver,  by  whom  he  has  four  children.     Allen  Cole, 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  741 

father  of  H.  C.  Cole,  was  born  in  Kent  in  1808,  married  Susan 
Cole  of  Carrael  in  1840,  and  died  December  28th,  1880. 

Tillott  Cole,  miller  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Kent  December 
29th,  1811,  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  and  was  married 
in  1842  to  Zillah  Nichols,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  G-eorge 
R.  and  Lewis  E.,  now  doing  business  in  Carmel  village.  His 
father,  Daniel  H..,  and  grandfather,  Deacon  Daniel,  were  both 
millers  and  residents  of  Kent. 

W.  J.  Corhin  was  born  in  Dutchess  county  in  1855,  came  to 
Putnam  county  in  1878,  and  is  engaged  in  business  in  Carmel 
village.  He  was  married  to  Miss  N.  B.  Martin,  of  Dutchess 
county. 

John  Cornish  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie,  October  18fch,  1823, 
and  was  in  his  fiftieth  year  at  the  time  of  his  death.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  years  he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  segar 
maker,  with  an  uncle  who  resided  in  New  York  city.  For  the 
first  year  of  his  apprenticeship  he  received  thirty  dollars,  which 
he  disbursed  in  a  manner  that  affords  an  index  to  his  whole  life. 
Ten  dollars  he  gave  to  the  church,  ten  to  his  mother,  and  the 
balance  constituted  the  sum  total  of  his  resources  for  the  year. 
On  the  28th  of  April,  1845,  he  married  Frances  Emma  French, 
and  soon  thereafter  opened  a  small  retail  segar  and  tobacco 
store  in  Avenue  D.  In  1849  he  commenced  manufacturing 
tobacco,  and  his  business  increased  and  prospered  and  soon 
became  a  source  of  large  revenue.  In  1862,  having  amassed 
a  handsome  competency,  he  sold  the  business  to  D.  H.  Mc- 
Alpine  &  Co.,  who  still  continue  it.  He  removed  to  Carmel 
in  1861,  where  he  resided,  an  honored  and  useful  member  of 
society.  In  the  spring  of  1870  he  was  elected  supervisor  of 
the  town  of  Carmel,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  was  elected 
county  treasurer,  which  position  he  held  at  the  time  of  his 
death. 

Howard  E.  Craft  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1844,  was  educated 
at  the  public  schools,  Drewville  Institute  and  Reed's  Arcadian 
High  School,  and  has  followed  the  business  of  teacher  and 
merchant.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  0.  Smith,  of  Carmel,  in 
1875.  His  father,  grandfather  and  great-grandfather,  named 
respectively,  William  D.,  Stephen,  David,  and  also  his  great- 
great-grandfather,  were  residents  of  this  county  and  descend- 


742  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

ants  from  the  Pilgrims.     The  post  office  at  Craft's  was  named 
after  the  family. 

Ji.  B.  Davis  v/as  born  in  Montgomery  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1828, 
and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1861.  He  was  educated  at  the 
public  schools  and  at  Lancaster  School  at  Cherry  Valley,  Otsego 
county.  He  has  been  a  merchant  in  Ulster  county,  wholesale 
grocer  in  New  York  city,  general  merchant  in  Carmel  village, 
and  is  now  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1860  to 
Lydia  N.  Lefevre,  of  Ulster  county. 

-  Jonathan  Dean  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1796,  married  Per- 
melia  Price  in  1821,  and  has  three  children  living:  Juliet, 
Elmira  and  Andrew  J.  He  is  a  farnjer.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812,  and  draws  a  pension  for  that  service. 

Joshua  L.  Dean  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1839,  was  educated  at 
Raymond  Seminary,  and  is  engaged  in  the  hotel  business.  He 
is  married  to  Cassie  E.  Jackson  of  Carmel. 

Sylvester  Dean  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1808,  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer. 

Alfred  Dingee  was  born  in  Somers,  Westchester  county,  in 
1822,  where  the  family  have  lived  over  100  years.  He  is  a 
farmer,  and  has  been  assessor  of  Carmel  four  terms.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Shrub  Oak.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1849  to  Sarah  M.  Hyatt  of  Yorktown,  Westchester 
county.  They  have  one  child,  Emma  C,  wife  of  Franklin 
Agor. 

John  Drew  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1829,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  first  became  a  farmer  and  for  30  years  was 
a  stock  dealer  and  shipper.  He  is  a  nephew  of  the  late  Daniel 
Drew.  He  was  married  in  1845,  to  Susan  Smith,  of  Orange 
county,  a  native  of  New  York  city. 

James  A.  Foshay  was  born  in  Philipstown,  November  25th) 
1856.  In  1857,  his  parents  removed  to  Park's  Corners,  where 
James  spent  his  boyhood  and  received  the  educational  advan- 
tages of  the  district  school.  He  was  thoroughly  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  self-help,  and  when  not  employed  with  farm  duties, 
improved  his  time  by  study.  At  the  age  of  18  he  entered  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Albany,  and  while  taking  the  normal 
course,  taught  to  obtain  the  money  to  defray  his  expenses.     He 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  743 

graduated  in  June,  1879.  He  has  taught  three  years  in  the 
public  schools  of  Putnam  county,  and  has  done  considerable 
private  teaching.  He  has  given  considerable  attention  to  vocal 
music.  In  1881  he  was  elected  school  commissioner  of  Putnam 
county,  and  was  re-elected  in  1884;  the  office  he  now  holds.  In 
1882,  largely  through  his  efforts,  the  Putnam  County  Teachers' 
Association  was  organized.  In  1885  he  was  elected  secretary 
of  the  New  York  State  Association  of  School  Commissioners 
and  superintendents,  and  re  elected  in  January,  1886.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Phebe  P.  Miller^  daughter  of  John  G.  Miller,  Esq., 
March  18th,  1885. 

EllswortTi  Fowler  was  born  in  Bedford,  Westchester  county, 
N.  Y.,  in  1862.  His  parents  were  old  settlers  in  that  county. 
He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1884,  and  in  1885  began  business 
on  his  own  account  as  a  contractor  and  builder.  Among  the 
buildings  erected  by  him  is  the  Mohansic  M.  E.  Church,  at 
Yorktown,  Westchester  county. 

Henry  A.  Gahn  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1812,  was 
educated  there,  removed  to  Putnam  county  in  1842,  where  he 
followed  the  business  of  farming,  and  died  in  1863.  He  was 
supervisor  of  Carmel  several  years.  He  married  Rosalinda 
Crane.  Their  children  were:  Henrietta  M.,  married  H.  0.  Hor- 
ton;  Mary  D.,  (deceased),  married  George  M.  Quimby;  Jane  P.; 
Julia  F.;  Henry  A.,  married  a  daughter  of  Judge  Wright;  Wil- 
liam E.;  and  Amelia  B.,  married  John  B.  Frost. 

Jonet  Oanong  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1807,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  followed  the  business  of  farming.  He 
held  the  office  of  road  commissioner.  He  married  Miss  C.  Cole 
in  1829.  She  died  in  May,  1885.  Their  children  were  Emily 
and  Oscar.  His  grandfather,  Reuben,  served  in  the  Revolution  ^ 
and  his  father,  Daniel,  in  the  War  of  1812. 

0.  Oanong  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1834,  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  and  followed  the  business  of  farming  until 
1877,  when  he  became  a  merchant  at  Mahopac.  He  has  held  the 
offices  of  trustee  arid  treasurer  of  the  Union  Valley  Church.  He 
married  Deborah  A.  Travis,  of  Carmel. 

Jeremiah  L.  Green  was  born  in  Bedford,  Westchester  county  ^ 
N.  Y.,  in  1824,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  about  1838.  He 
follows  the  business  of  farming.     He  was  a  fireman  of  Engine 


744  HISTOKY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Co.  No.  10,  New  York  City  Volunteer  Fire  Department,  and 
was  a  trackman  in  the  same  city  23  years.  He  married  Hannali 
Ballard,  of  Carmel,  in  1848. 

Charles  B.  Gregory  was  born  in  the  town  of  Southeast  in 
1849,  was  educated  at  the  Ridgefield  Academy,  Conn.,  and  has 
followed  the  business  of  farmer  and  miller.  His  father,  Q-eorge 
W.,  and  grandfather,  James,  were  residents  of  Putnam  county. 
He  was  married  in  1878,  to  Ida  Cole,  of  Putnam  ocunty. 

A.  W.  Hadden  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1839,  on  the  homestead 
where  he  now  resides,  which  has  been  owned  by  the  family 
about  75  years.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  and 
at  the  Academy  at  Red  Mills,  and  has  followed  the  business  of 
farmer,  contractor  arid  builder.  He  has  been  supervisor  of  Car- 
mel three  terms,  town  auditor  one  term,  and  a  trustee  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Mahopac  Falls  16  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1862,  to  Fannie  A.  Hazen,  of  Kent. 

Anson  Hazen  was  a  farmer  and  a  native  of  Carmel.  He  mar- 
ried Hannah  Townsend,  of  Kent,  by  whom  he  had  five  children, 
all  deceased,  except  Carrie  E.,  who  married  William  Baxter, 
and  resides  on  the  homestead.     His  death  occurred  in  1877. 

Cornelius  Hill  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1832,  was  graduated 
from  the  Normal  School  at  Albany  in  1851,  and  has  been  a 
teacher  25  years.  He  is  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1802  to  Harriet  A.  Brush,  of  Connecticut. 

Jackson  Hill  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1821,  and  is  a  farmer.  He 
married  Elizabeth  Hart  of  Westchester  county. 

Ahram  Hoag  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1817,  and  was  educated 
at  the  common  schools  and  at  Nine  Partners.  He  is  a  farmer. 
In  1843  he  married  Clementina  Tompkins  of  Westchester 
county. 

Addison  J.  HopMns  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1812.  His  father, 
Solomon,  grandfather,  Jeremiah,  great-grandfather,  Solomon, 
and  great-great-grandfather,  Joseph,  were  all  residents  of  this 
county.  The  family  originally  came  from  Massachusetts  and 
are  descended  from  Stephen  Hopkins,  signer  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  Mr.  Hopkins  was  educated  at  the  common 
schools  and  is  a  farmer  and  stockdealer.  He  was  assessor  of 
Kent  one   term  and  supervisor  of  the-  same  town.     He  was 


PEESONAL   SKETCHES.  745 

coroner  one  term  and  county  treasurer  one  term.  For  many 
years  he  was  a  director  of  the  Putnam  County  National  Bank. 
He  was  married  in  1855  to  Louisa  M.  Blair,  of  Aurora,  0. 

George  H.  Howes,  a  farmer,  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1829, 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  Quaker  Hill  Academy, 
Dutchess  county,  and  married  Laura  Jane  Drew,  of  Southeast, 
in  1849. 

David  C.  Hughson  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1837,  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  at  Thomas  Reed's  Arcadian  High 
School,  at  Carmel,  is  a  farmer,  and  was  married  to  Charlotte 
Townsend,  of  Kent,  in  1859. 

George  M.  Hughson,  son  of  Russell,  and  grandson  of  James 
Hughson,  both  residents  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Carmel, 
in  1832,  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer. 
He  was  married  to  Mariette  Townsend  of  Kent. 

AlvaJi  Hyatt  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1828,  attended  the  public 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer  (260  acres),  and  extensively  engaged  in 
the  dairy  business.  He  is  a  member  of  one  of  the  old  families 
of  the  county,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

William  H.  Jewell  was  born  at  Irvington,  Westchester 
county,  in  1840,  and  is  a  descendant  of  an  old  family  of  that 
county.  He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1862,  and  located  at 
Carmel  village  as  a  carriage  manufacturer.  He  was  married  in 
1860  to  Mary  M.  Carpenter,  of  Tarrytown.  Mr.  Jewell  has  been 
for  many  years  a  trustee  of  the  Drew  M.  E.  Church. 

Thomas  F.  Kelley  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1839,  attended  the 
public  schools  and  the  Drew  Seminary,  and  is  a  farmer.  His 
father,  Ebenezer  Kelley,  was  born  in  Carmel,  in  1798,  and  mar- 
ried Huldah  Foster,  of  Carmel. 

James  F.  Eennard  was  born  in  Somers,  Westchester  county, 
in  1832.  The  family  is  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Kennard  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Peekskill  Academy.  He  is  married  to  Aritie 
P.  Beyea,  of  Somers,  and  he  came  to  this  county  in  1862. 

Erastus  H.  Knapp  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1830.  The  family 
have  lived  in  this  county  more  than  100  years.  Mr.  Knapp  is 
a  graduate  of  the  public  schools  of  New  York  city.  He  is  a 
farmer.  He  married  Louisa  Knapp,  of  Carmel,  and  has  three 
children. 


746  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Jo-hn  L.  Knapp  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  September  1st, 
1798,  and  died  in  1868.  November  5tli,  1829,  he  was  married 
to  Mary  Strang.  Their  children  were:  Matilda  A.,  David,  Syl- 
vanus,  Jane,  Mary  Lacretia,  Ann,  Emma,  and  Libbie. 

Caleb  Kniffinvrashovum  Somers,  Westchester  county,  N.  Y., 
in  1818.  In  1853  he  came  to  Putnam  county  and  purchased  the 
farm  where  he  is  now  living.  He  was  married  in  1844,  to  Eliza- 
beth Hitt,  and  has  three  chldren. 

Gilbert  Kniffin  was  born  in  Somers  in  1816,  and  is  a  farmer. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  militia  in  early  days.  He  married  Re- 
becca Cassell,  of  Somers.  She  died  in  1862.  Their  children 
were:  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  William,  David,  and  Julia  (deceased). 

David  LocTcwood  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1846.  His  father 
established  Lpckwood's  Hotel  in  Carmel  village  in  1852.  Mr. 
Lockwood  wae  educated  at  Thomas  Reed's  Arcadian  High 
School.  In  1881  he  married  Frances  E.  Craft,  daughter  of 
Lyman  and  Priscilla  Craft,  who  reside  near  Lake  Gilead.  Mr. 
Lockwood  is  the  owner  and  proprietor  of  the  hotel,  which  he 
successfully  conducts. 

Charles  F.  Longnecker,  surgeon  dentist,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county.  Pa.,  in  1854,  was  educated  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
was  graduated  from  the  Boston  Dental  College  in  1879.  He  has 
practiced  in  Hudson,  Mass.,  and  in  Brooklyn  and  Peekskill, 
N.  Y.,  and  came  to  Carmel  village  in  July,  1885.  In  1884  he 
was  married  to  Emma,  daughter  of  James  Barrett. 

Hosea  F.  Lounsberyvt^^  born  in  Carmel  in  1837.  The  family 
have  resided  over  70  years  on  the  farm  where  Mr.  Lounsbery 
now  lives.  He  married  Mary  Elizabeth  Agor.  She  died  and 
he  married  Elizabeth  Curry,  of  Yorktown,  Westchester  county. 

Thomas  Manning,  born  in  Carmel  in  1855,  educated  at  the 
public  schools,  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Department  of  Public 
Works  of  New  York  city,  having  charge  of  the  storage  reser- 
voirs at  Boyd's  Corners  and  Southeast,  and  the  natural  lakes 
over  which  the  city  has  control  in  Putnam  county.  He  was 
married  in  1884,  to  Jennie  Carr,  of  Mahopac. 

William,  0.  Mead  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1833.  He  is  a 
progressive  citizen  and  an  extensive  farmer.  He  has  been 
elected    to   the  office  of  supervisor  of  Carmel  two  successive 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  747 

terms.     In  1857,  he  was  married  to  Jane  Mulligan,  of  West- 
chester county. 

David  Merrick  was  born  in  Putnam  county  in  1822.  His  pa- 
rents were  early  settlers  of  the  county.  He  married  Harriet  B. 
Bailey,  of  Southeast. 

George  PincTcney  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1842  and  is  a  farmer. 
He  married  Eliza  Warren,  of  Philipstown,  daughter  of  an  old 
Putnam  county  family. 

George  L.  Post  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1855,  and  mar- 
ried Dollie  Lockwood,  of  New  York,  in  1874.  He  is  a  black- 
smith. 

George  Pur  cell  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1849.  His  father, 
Piatt  Purcell,  was  a  resident  of  this  county  but  a  native  of 
Ireland.  Mr.  Purcell  is  a  druggist  and  general  merchant.  In 
1870,  he  married  Antoinette  N.  Parker,  of  Somers,  Westchester 
county,  N.  Y. 

Adam  Rice  was  born  in  Germany  in  1822,  came  to  America 
in  1849,  and  settled  in  Putnam  county  in  1851.  He  married 
Sarah  Matimore,  of  Carmel,  December  21st,  1853.  They  have 
ten  children,  all  living. 

G.  P.  ScMneller  was  born  in  Grermany  in  1839,  and  came  to 
America  in  1868,  and  to  Putnam  county  in  1869.  He  is  a  hotel 
keeper.  In  1868,  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Fether,  of  Ba- 
varia. 

JE.  H.  Senior  was  born  in  London,  England,  in  1816,  and,  at 
the  age  of  nine  months,  came  with  his  parents  to  America.  He 
was  for  a  time  engaged  in  the  piano  business,  and  later  became  the 
most  prominent  undertaker  in  New  York  city.  He  had  charge  of 
the  burial  of  Henry  Clay,  and  many  other  distinguished  men. 
He  was  lieutenant  of  militia  and  a  member  of  the  old  40  Engine 
Company.  In  1836,  he  was  married  to  Mauda  M.  Sears,  of  New 
York.  In  1850,  he  came  to  Putnamcounty  and  later  purchased 
and  improved  a  beautiful  home  overlooking  Lake  Mahopac. 
He  died  at  this  place  in  1868,  and  was  buried  in  Gfreenwood 
Cemetery. 

Nathaniel  D.  Shaw  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1840.'  He  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Raymond  Collegiate 
Institute.  He  is  farmer.  For  six  years  he  was  commissioner 
of  highways. 


748  HISTORY    OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Amzi  Slawson  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1824  and  died  in  1882. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  followed  the  busi- 
ness of  farming.  In  1848,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Lee  of 
Putnam  Valley.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were,  Silas, 
Abijah,  Cornelia,  and  Clara. 

Andreio  J.  Smith  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1827,  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools,  and  has  followed  the  business  of  teacher 
and  farmer.  His  first  wife  was  Susan  Potter,  and  his  present 
wife,  Mary  R.  Benjamin.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  of  German  Flats. 

James  Smith  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1801,  attended  public 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married,  in  1832,  to  Emma 
Angevine,  of  North  Salem,  Westchester  county.  They  had 
five  children.  One  son,  Webster,  was  captain  of  Co.  G..  6th  N. 
Y.  Artillery,  during  the  Rebellion.  Another  son,  Darius  H., 
was  1st  corporal  of  4th  N.  Y.  Independent  Battery. 

Saxton  E.  Smith  was  born  in  Putnam  county  in  1847,  and 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  the  academy  at  Drew- 
ville.  He  is  a  farmer  and  a  flour  and  feed  merchant.  He  was 
married,  in  1875,  to  Delicy  C.  Carver,  a  native  of  Putnam 
county,  and  for  several  years  a  teacher  in  New  York. 

Oeorge  E.  Sunderlin  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1836.  His  father, 
Daniel  H.,  and  grandfather,  John,  were  both  residents  of 
the  county.  He  was  educated  at  the  public  schools  and  at 
Hamilton  Academy  in  Hamilton,  Madison  countj'',  N.  Y.  He  is 
an  undertaker.  He  was  town  clerk  of  Carmel  one  terra.  He  was 
married  in  1862  to  Amanda  A.  Pinckney  of  Carmel. 

Harrison  H.  Trams  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Carmel 
in  1829,  attended  public  schools  and  Peekskill  Academy,  and  is 
farmer.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  Sarah  A.  Boyd,  of  Kent, 
and  has  one  son,  Howard  B.  Travis. 

Joseph  C.  Viault  was  born  near  Montreal,  Canada,  in  1849, 
and  was  educated  in  common  schools  and  Joliette  College.  He 
came  to  Putnam  County  in  1871,  and  located  at  Carmel.  In  1882 
he  located  at  Mahopac.  He  is  a  carriage  manufacturer.  He  mar- 
ried Lena  U.  Borel,  of  New  York  city,  in  1871. 

Denzil  A.  Webb  was  born  in  Lewisboro,  Westchester  county, 
in  1844.    He  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1883,  and  opened  a  gen- 


PERSONAL    SKETCHES.  749 

eral  store  in  Carmel  village  which  business   he  still  pursues. 
He  married  Miss  A.  L.  Miller  of  Westchester  county. 

Ira  S.  Westcott  was  born  in  North  Salem,  Westchester  county, 
in  1856,  attended  public  schools,  was  a  teacher  seven  years,  and 
is  now  a  merchant  at  Mahopac.  He  came  to  Putnam  county 
in  1884. 

Matthew  T.  Whalen  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1859,  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1866.  He  was  educated  at  public 
schools  in  Putnam  county  and  Albany  city.  His  business  is 
express  and  railroad  agent.  He  has  been  excise  commissioner 
one  term. 

James  Wilson  was  born  in  Carmel  March  11th,  1826,  on  the 
old  homestead  near  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  February  7th,  1849,  he 
married  Lauretta  H.  Mabie,  of  Patterson,  daughter  of  an  old 
family.  His  children  are  :  Rena  Estelle,  Emma  Josephine  and 
Charles  Arthur  (deceased). 

Nathaniel  Wixom  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1814.  His  parents 
and  grand-parents  were  also  residents  of  Putnam  county.  He 
attended  public  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  In  1842  he  married 
Sarah  Barrett  of  Carmel,  daughter  of  John  Barrett,  whose  wife, 
Sarah,  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  aged  of  98  years. 

JohnWood  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1815,  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Laura  B. 
Rogers  of  Patterson,  now  deceased.  He  has  three  children, 
Henry,  Laura  Jane  and  Henrietta. 

Benjamin  Zane  Worth  was  born  in  the  city  of  Albanj',  N".  Y., 
where  he  was  educated.  He  married  Lucretia  M.  Vail  of  the 
town  of  Carmel,  a  descendant  of  an  old  Putnam  county  family. 
Mr.  Worth  died  in  1883,  and  is  buried  in  Raymond  Cemetery, 
Carmel.  He  was  a  successful  contractor  and  assisted  as  such 
in  building  the  tunnel  through  New  York  for  the  Hudson  River 
Railroad.  He  was  inspector  of  masonry  of  Harlem  River  Rail- 
road, also  head  inspector  of  masonry  in  the  building  of  the 
reservoir  at  Boyd's  Corners. 


750  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

TOWN   OF   SOUTHEAST. 

Edward  Bailey,  son  of  Henry  Bailey,  was  born  in  Southeast 
in  1835,  and  learned  the  trade  of  tinsmith.  He  was  1st  Lieuten- 
ant, Company  A,  6th  Eegiment,  N.  Y.  V.,  in  the  Rebellion. 
For  the  last  three  years  he  has  been  in  the  grocery  business  in 
Brewster.  He  is  well  known  among  the  Masons,  and  is  mem- 
ber of  lodge,  chapter  and  commandery,  and  is  a  member  of 
Crosby  Post,  G.  A.  R. 

HachaliaJi  Bailey  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1821.  His  father, 
Levi,  came  from  North  Salem,  Westchester  county,  and  settled 
in  this  county.  Mr.  Bailey  was  educated  at  the  public  schools 
and  North  Salem  Academy,  and  he  is  a  farmer.  He  married 
Sarah  Ann  Reynolds,  of  North  Salem,  in  1847. 

Charles  L.  Bo^rher  was  born  in  Chenango  county  in  1828,  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1864.  His  business  is  farming.  In 
1863  he  was  married  to  Fannie  E.  Light,  of  Kent.  They  have 
two  children,  Chester  A.  and  Grace  E.  The  family  are  attend- 
ants of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Carmel,  of  which  Mrs.  Barber  is 
a  member. 

James  T.  Barnes  was  born  in  Westchester  county  in  1801, 
located  in  Putnam  county  about  1816,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  was 
married  in  1826,  to  Mary  Ann  Washburn,  now  deceased,  by 
whom  he  has  had  eight  children. 

Elbert  E.  Birch  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1841,  and  was  the 
son  of  Amos  and  grandson  of  Charles,  both  residents  of  this 
county.  He  is  a  farmer.  In  1865  he  married  Melissa  Howes, 
of  Southeast. 

James  W.  Boyce  was  born  in  Dutchess  county  in  1816  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1834.  He  is  a  miller  and  carpenter 
and  builder.  He  married  Clarissa  Roberts,  of  Patterson, 
and  has  two  sons,  James  L.  and  Charles  M. 

Frederick  G.  Brewster  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1821,  was 
educated  at  public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Mar- 
garet Strang,  of  Yorktown,  Westchester  county.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  a  descendant  of  Samuel 
Brewster,  who  came  from  Rockland  to  Putnam  county  in  1810. 

Samuel  W.  Brewster,  son  of  Samuel,  mentioned  above,  was 
born  in  Southeast  in  1824,  and  married  Harriet  E.  Crosby,  of 
Patterson,  in  1851.     He  is  a  farmer. 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  751 

Oscar  G.  Brian,  son  of  Samuel  F.  Brian,  was  born  at  Jacobs- 
town,  N.  J.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1870  and  has  been  in 
business  at  Dykeman's  Station  as  lumber  dealer  and  railroad 
agent.  He  married  Julia  C.  Fowler,  and  has  one  son,  Albert  S. 
Brian. 

Abner  P.  Brush  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1822,  was  educated 
at  the  public  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Hannah  M. 
Rundle,  of  North  Salem,  Westchester  county,  in  1850.  His 
father,  John  P.,  grandfather,  John  and  greatgrandfather, 
Jacob,  all  lived  in  Putnam  county. 

Elijah  W.  Budd  was  born  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  March  29th, 
1838.  His  father,  Hiram  Budd,  was  formerly  a  resident  of 
Ulsier  county.  Mr.  Budd  went  to  New  York  when  a  young 
man  and  was  in  business  with  Barnnm  &  Co.  For^everal  years 
he  held  the  position  of  assistant  collector  in  the  Custom  Hoase, 
and  afterward  was  foreman  in  the  hat  factory  of  C.  W.  Budd, 
in  Brewster.  The  residence  of  Mr.  Budd  was  in  former  times 
the  homestead  of  Archibald  Youngs,  at  the  corner  of  the  Doans- 
burg  and  Milltown  roads.  Mr.  Budd  married  Elizabeth  A., 
daughter  of  Henry  Belden. 

Andrew  Cosgriff  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1821;  edu- 
cated at  common  schools;  was  railroad  engineer  on  Hudson 
River  Railroad,  then  superintendent  of  engineers  on  the  Harlem 
Railroad  four  years;  for  four  and  a  half  years  was  master  ma- 
chinist of  West  Gulf  Blockading  Squadron  under  Admiral 
Farragut;  in  1865  was  engaged  in  mining  in  Pennsylvania;  and 
has  also  been  engaged  in  same  business  in  West  Virginia,  Cali- 
fornia and  Nevada.  In  1868  he  came  to  Putnam  county  and 
engaged  as  superintendent  of  Tilly  Foster  mines.  He  has  been 
postmaster  at  Tilly  Foster.  He  was  married  in  1858  to  Jane 
Lewis,  of  Hudson,  Columbia  county,  N.  Y. 

Alfred  E.  De  Forest,  son  of  Benjamin  De  Forest,  was  born  at 
De  Forest  Corners  in  1855.  When  a  boy  he  went  to  Detroit, 
Mich.,  where  his  father  still  lives.  He  came  to  Brewster  and 
opened  a  drug  store  in  1875,  and  still  continues  it.  He  married 
Mary,  daughter  of  Peter  Townsend. 

Philip  Diehl  was  born  in  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in 
1853.  He  remained  in  New  York  till  1864,  when  he  came  to 
Brewster  and  established  a  wholesale  and  retail  bakery  and 


752  HISTOUY    OF    PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

confectionery.  He  is  trustee  of  the  Fire  Department,  and  has 
held  the  office  of  overseer  of  poor  of  Southeast.  He  is  one  of 
the  stewards  of  the  Methodist  church,  and  is  a  prominent  mason 
and  knight  templar.  He  married.  Josephine  Lee  and  has  five 
children. 

Uriah  Field  w^as  born  in  Southeast,  in  1830.  His  father, 
Solomon,  grandfather,  Stephen,  great-grandfather,  Solo- 
mon, and  great-great-grandfather,  Nathan,  were  residents  of 
this  county.  The  family  is  of  English  descent.  The  first 
settler  of  the  name  in  this  county  came  from  Long  Island. 
Uriah  Field  was  educated  at  the  common  schools  and  North 
Salem  Academy,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Mary  A.  Everett, 
of  Southeast,  in  1863. 

G.  B.  Fowler  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1847,  was  educated  at 
the  common  schools,  and  follows  the  business  of  farming. 
In  1873  he  married  Mary  Bloomer,  of  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

Elijah  F.  Fowler  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1820,  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  has  always  been  a  farmer.  He 
married  Susan  Hall,  of  North  Salem,  Westchester  county,  and 
has  had  five  children. 

William  F.  Fowler  was  born  in  Fairfield  county,  Conn.,  in 
1811,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  with  his  parents  the  same 
year.  He  is  a  farmer,  has  been  road  commissioner  six  years, 
assessor  six  years,  and  was  a  lieutenant  of  militia.  In  1833 
he  married  Matilda  Brush  of  Southeast.  He  was  a  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  County  Agricultural  Society  when  first  organized, 
a  director  of  theCroton  River  National  Bank  when  first  started, 
and  is  vice-president  of  Putnam  County  Savings  Bank. 

Alpheus  D.  Freer  was  born  in  New  Paltz,  Ulster  county,  in 
1838.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  and  began  business 
in  Brewster  in  1863,  and  continued  till  the  present  year,  when 
he  retired  and  left  the  business  to  his  sons.  He  is  a  prominent 
mason,  and  has  been  collector  of  Southeast  for  five  years.  He 
married  Mary  J.  Collins  and  has  three  children:  Charles  E., 
George  B;  and  Cora. 

Cornelius  H.  Gage  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1832,  has  been 
engaged  in  shoemaking  and  hat  manufacturing,  and  afterward 
in  coal  business.  For  ten  years  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
Borden  Condensed  Milk  Company.     After  this  he  was  one  of 


PERSONAL    SKETCHES.  753 

the  firm  of  Yeomans,  Gage  &  Co.,  in  the  flour  and  feed  store, 
and  is  now  with  W.  S.  Paddock  in  the  same  business.  He  mar- 
ried Amelia,  daughter  of  William  and  Deborah  Rundle,  and 
has  one  daiighter. 

Warren  Oay  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1822.  His  father  and 
grandfather  were  residents  of  this  county.  He  is  a  farmer.  In 
1852  he  was  married  to  Delia  M.  Cree,  of  North  Salem,  West- 
chester county. 

David  Hallwas  born  in  Southeast  in  1830.  His  father,  John, 
and  grandfather,  David,  resided  in  this  county.  The  family 
came  originally  from  Massachusetts.  He  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  In  1881  he  was  married  to 
Melissa  Sears,  of  Southeast. 

Capt.  James  W.  Haviland  was  born  at  Athens,  G-reene  county, 
N.  Y.,  April  8th,  1816,  and  was  married  January  14th,  1840,  to 
Esther  L.  Haviland,  who  was  born  in  Patterson,  Putnam  county, 
July  6th,  1815.  He  was  captain  of  a  vessel  on  the  Hudson  from 
1835  to  1851,  when  he  moved  to  Southeast,  to  the  farm  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  sons,  W.  C.  and  J.  J.  Haviland. 
Captain  Haviland  died  March  29th,  1881,  and  his  wife  died 
July  5th,  1884,  leaving  four  children,  three  living  in  South- 
east, and  one  in  Catskill,  Greene  county. 

George  Hine  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1834.  His  father, 
Charles  W.,  and  his  grandfather,  Charles,  were  residents  of 
this  county.  The  family  came  from  Woodbridge,  Conn.,  about 
1804,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  Mr.  Hine  now  resides.  He 
has  been  commissioner  of  highways  twelve  years  and  assessor 
one  term,  and  is  a  director  of  the  Putnam  County  Savings 
Bank.  He  was  married  in  1862  to  Josephine  Foster  of  South- 
east, daughter  of  Judge  Foster. 

Moseman  B.  Hyatt  was  born  in  Kent  in  1834,  and  is  a  farmer 
and  fruit  raiser.  His  first  wife  was  Margaret  Van  Wagner,  now 
deceased.  He  was  married  a  second  time,  to  Annie  C.  Mead,  of 
Carmel. 

Isaac  Kelley,  a  farmer  of  Southeast,  was  born  in  1813.  His 
father,  Jesse,  and  grandfather,  Judah,  were  residents  of  the 
county.  He  has  been  supervisor  of  Southeast  one  term.  In 
1838  he  married  Antoinette  Cole,  of   Carmel. 

48 


754  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Samuel  KeJley  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1845.  His  father, 
James  R.,  grandfather,  Samuel,  and  great-grandfather,  Judah, 
were  residents  of  this  county.  The  family  were  originally  from 
Vermont.  He  was  a  bookkeeper  in  New  York  city,  and  is  now 
a  farmer.  He  has  been  a  director  in  the  County  Agricultural 
Society.     In  1868  he  was  married  to  Carrie  A.  Kirkham. 

P-  Z.  Kirkham  was  born  in  1846.  He  was  a  merchant  in 
Westchester  county  six  years,  and  is  now  a  farmer.  He  mar- 
ried Henrietta  Kelley,  of   Southeast  and  has  one  child. 

R.  W.  Kirkham  was  born  in  Carmel,  in  1818.  His  father  Zo- 
pher,  and  grandfather,  Zebadee,  were  both  residents  of  the 
county.  The  family  are  of  Scotch  descent.  They  moved  from 
Westchester  county  to  Putnam.  Mr.  Kirkham  is  a  farmer.  In 
1848  he  married  Augusta  S.  Crane,  of  Carmel,  daughter  of  an 
old  and  prominent  Putnam  county  family.  He  has  four  chil- 
dren living:  Caroline  A.,  Peter  Z.,  Estelle  A.,  and  Charlotte  E. 
For  rwenty-nine  years  he  has  resided  on  his  present  elegant 
home,  which  was  the  former  home  of  Enoch  Crosby,  the  Spy, 
and  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Kirkham  of  the  daughter-in-law 
and  grandsons  of  this  well  known  patriot. 

Augustus  Knox  was  born  in  North  Salem,  Westchester 
county,  and  commenced  business  as  a  cabinet  maker.  Thirty 
years  ago  he  opened  an  undertaking  establishment  in  Brewster 
and  has  continued  it  to  the  present  time.  He  married  Miss 
Gournsey  and  has  one  daughter. 

Frederick  H.  Knox  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1818,  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Abbie  J. 
Reynolds,  of  Southeast. 

Nehemiah  Knox  was  born  in  Southeast,  in  1854,  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  In  1878,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Jennie  Willis,  of  Brewster. 

Alexander  F.  Lohdell  was  born  in  North  Salem,  Westchester 
county,  in  1835,  and  his  first  business  experience  was  as  book- 
keeper in  New  York.  In  1860,  he  came  to  Brewster  and  estab- 
lished a  dry  goods  and  general  merchandise  store.  The  store 
was  burned  in  the  fire  of  1879,  but  was  rebuilt.  He  has  also 
been  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  He  has  been  postmaster 
at  Brewster  since  1863.  He  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Vincent 
Paddock,  and  has  four  children:  Esther,  Alexander  F.,  Vincent 
and  Susan. 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  755 

Stephen  McMahon  was  born  in  New  Milford,  Conn.,  came  to 
Brewster  about  1861,  and  was  first  engaged  in  hat  manufactur- 
ing. ^  In  1864  he  purchased  the  "  Brewster  House"  which  was 
the  first  hotel  in  the  village,  and  has  remained  the  proprietor 
ever  since.  The  hotel  has  been  made  through  his  care  and 
energy  one  of  the  best  places  of  entertainment  in  the  county. 

William  E.  Maher  was  born  in  Southeast,  March  8th,  1859. 
His  father,  Thomas  Maher,  was  a  farmer,  and  his  early  life  was 
passed  on  the  homestead.  In  1882,  he  established  a  meat  mar- 
ket in  the  village  of  Brewster,  which  he  has  since  conducted. 

Daniel  O.  Mead  was  born  in  Southeast,  in  1830.  His  father, 
Silas,  grandfather,  Benjamin,  and  great-grandfather,  Jeremiah, 
were  residents  of  the  county.  He  married  Carrie  M.  Beebe  in 
1874. 

Austin  MullarJcey  was  born  in  Ireland,  came  to  America  in 
1859,  and  settled  in  Putnam  county  in  1865.  He  is  a  merchant. 
He  served  three  years  and  nine  months  in  the  late  war.  He  is 
postmaster  at  Dykeman's.  He  married  Winnefred  Mclntyre  in 
1866. 

Charles  JY.  Mygatt  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1856,  was  edu- 
cated at  Chappaqua  Institute  and  Amenia  Seminary,  and  is  a 
farmer.     In  1877  he  married  Leona  Paddock. 

Warren  8.  Paddock,  son  of  Hiram  Paddock,  was  born  in 
Southeast  in  1828.  In  early  life  he  was  a  farmer,  and  has  been 
in  business  in  New  York.  In  1879  he  set  up  business  in  Brews- 
ter in  a  flour  and  feed  store,  and  has  continued  it  till  the  present 
time.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Daniel  Reed,  and  has 
three  children. 

ClarJc  8.  Penny  was  born  in  Southeast,  in  1838,  was  educated 
at  the  common  schools,  and  has  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  He  married  Huldah  Q.  Mead  in  1866,  and  has  two 
children. 

James  A.  Peck  was  born  in  Litchfield  county.  Conn.,  in  1828, 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  Brookfield  Academy, 
married,  first  Mary  E.  Carter,  April  4th,  1848,  second  Lydia  L. 
Carter,  in  1853,  came  to  Putuam  county  April  12th,  1859,  and  is 
a  steam  engineer. 

W  C.  Pugsley  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1831,  married  Floraet- 
tie  Light,  of  Kent,  in  1861,  and  died  in  1882.     He  was  a  farmer. 


756  HISTORY    OP   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

David  B.  Richards  was  born  in  1803,  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  married  Delia  Foster,  of  Southeast,  in  1832,  and 
is  a  farmer. 

Oeorge  E.  Sears  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1837.  His  father, 
Bradley,  grandfather,  Isaac,  great-grandfather,  Benjamin,  jr., 
and.  great-great-grandfather,  Benjamin,  were  all  residents  of 
this  county.  The  family  came  from  Massachusetts  and  settled 
in  this  county  in  1743,  on  the  homestead  property  which  has 
been  owned  by  them  since  that  time. 

Levi  Shove  was  born  in  Warren,  Litchfield  county.  Conn.  He 
came  to  Brewster  and  established  a  livery  business  in  1876, 
which  he  has  made  very  extensive.  He  married  Flora,  daughter 
of  Henry  Howland,  of  Kent,  Conn.,  and  has  one  daughter. 

James  K.  Smith  came  to  Brewster  and  established  a  drug 
store  several  years  since.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Baptist  church,  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  in  establishing 
the  church  of  Brewster.  In  the  spring  of  1886  he  removed  to 
Danbury,  where  he  now  resides. 

Albert  Townsend,  son  of  Charles  Townsend,  was  born  in 
Carmel,  but  resides  in  the  town  of  Southeast,  where  he  is  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  farming.  He  was  for  many  years  in  the 
traveling  exhibition  business  with  James  Raymond.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church.  He  married  Jane  A.  Ball, 
and  has  one  son,  Frank. 

Coleman  Townsend  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1797.  His  grand- 
father, Uriah,  and  father,  Samuel,  were  residents  of  the  county. 
He  is  a  farmer.  He  was  supervisor  of  Kent  two  terms,  and  for 
several  years  county  superintendent  of  poor.  He  married  Ma- 
linda  Ogden,  of  Fishkill,  and  has  had  three  children. 

Walter  W.  Weed  was  born  in  Orange  county  in  1830,  came  to 
Putnam  county  in  1865,  and  married  Deborah  A.  Blauvelt  the 
same  year.     He  is  a  blacksmith. 

George  H.  Wood  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1834.  His  father, 
Abram,  and  grandfather,  Nehemiah,  were  residents  of  the 
county.  He  was  graduated  from  Union  College  in  1857,  and 
followed  the  business  of  farming.  He  married,  in  1860,  Mary 
Van  Dnzer  (now  deceased)  of  Orange  county. 


PERSOJS^AL    SKETCHES.  757 

TOWK    OP   PHILIPSTOWN. 

Thomas  H.  Austin,  son  of  Thomas  Austin,  is  a  well  known 
resident  of  Garrison's.  Of  the  many  children  of  his  father's 
family  one  son,  Samuel,  is  now  living  at  Cold  Spring,  and  another 
is  master  of  the  ferry  at  Garrison's. 

Prof.  Granville  Barnum  was  born  in  Danbury,  Conn.,  June 
10th,  1842,  and  was  educated  at  the  high  school  of  his  native 
place  and  at  the  State  ^formal  School.  He  began  teaching  in 
Bethel,  Conn.,  in  1859.  In  1861  he  taught  at  Milltown  in  South- 
east, and  in  1871  became  principal  of  the  public  school  in  Nel- 
sonville,  and  has  conducted  it  with  great  success  till  the  present 
time.  He  married  Mary  S.,  daughter  of  John  B.  Roberts,  and 
has  three  children:  Edith  R.,  J.  Clark,  and  Willard  E. 

James  8.  Boyd  was  born  in.  Cold  Spring,  March  4th,  1857. 
His  father,  Charles  Boyd,  was  the  supervisor  of  Philipstown 
during  the  late  war,  and  prominently  connected  with  i)ublic 
affairs.  In  1850  Mr.  Charles  Boyd  founded  the  drug  store  and 
pharmacy,  which  is  now  conducted  by  his  son  under  the  name 
of  Boyd  &  Co.  Mr.  James  S.  Boyd  is  the  corporation  treasurer 
of  Cold  Spring,  agent  for  Fishkill  Savings  Bank,  and  also  agent 
for  several  steamship  companies.  He  married  Minnie,  daughter 
of  David  Lloyd,  and  has  one  daughter. 

Thomas  A.  Ooe,  son  of  Thomas  D.,  and  grandson  of  Darius 
Coe,  was  born  in  Morris  county,  N.  J.,  June  14th,  1845.  Since 
the  age  of  16  he  has  been  engaged  in  mercantile  affairs.  He  was 
town  clerk  of  Philipstown  for  many  years,  and  is  prominently 
connected  with  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Cold  Spring.  He  married  Pamelia, 
daughter  of  William  C.  Entrott,  and  has  two  children,  Hattie 
and  William. 

Isaac  B.  Davenport,  son  of  Benjamin,  and  grandson  of  Isaac 
Davenport,  was  a  well  known  wood  and  timber  contractor.  He 
died  April  6th,  1874,  aged  52.  He  married  Mary  E.,  daughter 
of  Nicholas  Wood.  She  now  resides  in  Cold  Spring  with  one 
soH,  Isaac  F.  Davenport. 

James  T.  Dylcman,  born  in  Philipstown,  July  8th,  1845,  has 
been  for  many  years  engaged  in  general  merchandise  in  Nelson- 
ville.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  a  supporter  of 


758  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

the  Methodist  Church.     He  married  Anna,  daughter  of  John 
Yan  Tassel,  and  has  one  child,  Minnie. 

Thomas  Gaunt  was  born  in  Leeds,  Eng.,  in  1846,  and 
came  to  America  in  1856.  In  1884  he  became  connected 
with  the  West  Point  Foundry  Association  of  which  he  is 
now  superintendent  and  vice-president.  Mr.  Gaunt  was  at 
one  time  the  superintendent  of  the  Colwell  Iron  Works. 
He  built  the  Brooklyn  sugar  house  and  the  large  buildings  of 
the  Chicago  Sugar  Refining  Company.  His  brother,  William 
Gaunt,  who  came  to  this  country  with  him,  is  now  assistant 
superintendent  of  the  West  Point  Foundry. 


Frank  H.  Oreene,  A.M.,  was  born  at  Peekskill,  N.  Y.,  in  1842, 
and  was  educated  at  Princeton  College.  For  a  number  of  years 
he  was  in  business  in  South  Carolina,  but  for  the  past  ten 
years  has  been  in  the  educational  work  in  Putnam  county,  and 
is  now  principal  of  Rock  Street  Public  School  of  Cold  Spring. 
He  is  president  of  the  Putnam  County  Teachers'  Association. 

Caleb  Hustis  was  the  owner  of  a  large  estate  in  the  northern 
part  of  Philipstown,  his  homestead  being  that  now  owned  by 
the  heirs  of  Thomas  Wright.  He  died  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
last  century,  leaving  a  wife.  Charity,  and  eight  children:  Wil- 
liam, Jonathan,  Esther,  wife  of  Timothy  Wood;  Anna,  wife  of 
Samuel  Warren;  Phebe,  wife  of  Ebenezer  Lobdell;  Rachel,  wife 

of  Bownes;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Davenport;   and 

Mary.  William  Hustis  died  about  1815.  He  married  Phebe 
Mekeel,  and  had  eight  children:  Caleb,  Isaac,  Samuel,  Josiah, 
Susan,  wife  of  Uriah  Drake;  Sally,  wife  of  Jacob  Haight;  Eliz- 
abeth, wife  of  Thomas  Wright;  and  Charity.  Caleb  Hustis 
died  in  1864  at  the  age  of  68.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  James  Haight.  Their  children  were:  Martha  J.,  Jeanette, 
wife  of  Nicholas  Wood;  James,  Milton,  Phebe  A.,  wife  of  Arvis 
Haight;  Hannah,  wife  of  Richard  Travis;  and  William  J.  Wil- 
liam J.  Hustis,  who  is  now  living  upon  a  portion  of  the  ances- 
tral estate,  was  born  February  17th,  1838.  The  large  estate  of 
his  grandfather,  Caleb  Hustis,  was  left  by  him  to  his  wife. 
Charity,  who  left  it  by  will  to  her  two  sons,  William  and  Jona- 
than. The  western  part  was  the  share  of  William  and  now 
belongs  to  William  J.,  while  the  eastern  part  belongs  to  the 
heirs  of  Thomas  Wright  and  the  heirs  of  Samuel  Hustis.     Wil- 


PERSONAL    SKETCHES.  759 

liam  J.  Hustis  married  Susan,  daughter  of   John  Horn.     They 
have  three  children:  Caleb,  Arthur  and  Myrtle. 

Samuel  Hustis,  son  of  Caleb  Hustis  mentioned  above,  lived 
and  died  a  farmer  on  a  part  of  the  ancestral  estate.  He  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  David  Hustis,  a  distant  relative.  Their 
children  were  :  Harvey,  William  (deceased),  and  David.  Mr. 
Hustis  died  February  4th,  1880,  aged  72. 

Thomas  W.  Jaycox,  son  of  William  H.  Jaycox,  is  a  well 
known  citizen  of  Philipstown,  having  been  commissioner  of 
highways  and  county  commissioner  for  several  years.  He  is  a 
farmer,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  members  and  an  active  sup- 
porter of  the  North  Highland  Methodist  Church.  He  married 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Mekeel,  and  has  two  children, 
Seward  and  Lizzie. 

Peter  B.  Lawson  was  chief  engineer  and  superintendent  of 
West  Point  Foundry  Company,  and  came  from  New  York  when 
the  works  were  first  started.  He  was  born  in  1810  and  died  at 
Cold  Spring  in  May,  1879.  He  invented  ihany  improvements  in 
machinery,  including  the  projectile  for  Farrott's  rifled  cannon. 
He  married  Margaret  Eisenburg.  Their  children  are  Margaret 
E.,  William  K.,  Emma  and  Martina. 

James  Mekeel,  son'  of  Thomas,  and  grandson  of  William,  was 
born  at  Highland  Falls,  December  19th,  1845.  For  some  years 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  timber  and  lumber  business  at  Cold 
Spring,  his  residence  being  at  Mekeel' s  Corners.  His  grand- 
father, William,  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Levi  H. 
Bailey.  Mr.  Mekeel  married  Anna  E.,  daughter  of  Elijah 
Mekeel.     They  have  two  sons.  Homer  E.  and  Robert  H. 

Peter  MeTceelwas  a  farmer  in  Philipstown,  east  of  Cold  Spring. 
He  died  in  the  fall  of  1885.  He  married  Amy  Ferris.  Their 
children  were:  William  H.,  Caleb,  Isaac,  Sylvenus,  Phileila, 
Mary,  Ethelinda  and  Anna.  Of  the  sons,  Caleb  and  Sylvenas 
now  live  in  Nelsonville. 

Charles  Miller  was  born  at  West  Point,  March  4th',  1839.  He 
came  to  Cold  Spring  and  established  a  market  in  December, 
1874.  Mr,  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He 
married  Leonora  Mikmak.  His  children  are:  Charles  A.,  Henry 
M.,  Frederick  S.  and  Florence. 


7(30  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

William  E.  Nelson  was  born  in  Cold  Spring,  August  11th, 
1845.  For  15  years  lie  has  conducted  an  extensive  livery  busi- 
ness in  his  native  village.  He  holds  the  position  of  under 
sheriff  of  the  county.  He  married  Annie,  daughter  of  David 
Haight,  and  has  one  child,  Helen  E. 

Wright  E.  Perry  was  born  in  Kent,  October,  1839.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  the  proprietor  of  a  grocery  store  in  Cold 
Spring.  Mr.  Perry  is  a  member  of  the  masonic  order,  and  a 
democrat. 

George  W.  Purdy,  son  of  Samuel  H.  Purdy,  was  born  at 
Goshen,  Orange  county.  May  29th,  1810.  He  commenced  a 
mercantile  business  at  Cornwall,  and  came  to  Cold  Spring  in 
September,  1862,  and  in  1865  erected  the  building  which  is  his 
Ijresent  place  of  business.  Mr.  Purdy  belongs  to  the  Society 
of  Friends.  He  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Robert  Provost; 
they  had  one  son,  Robert  P.  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Purdy, 
he  married  Sarah  C,  daughter  of  Aaron  Harvey,  and  widow  of 
John  Monks.  They  had  one  son,  George  W.  The  children  of 
Mrs.  Purdy  by  her  former  marriage  are  John  A.  S.  Monks,  an 
artist  of  great  celebrity;  Mary  E.,  and  Sarah  P.,  who  is  now  a 
teacher  in  San  Angelos,  California. 

Seth  Secor,  son  of  Alfred  Secor,  was  born  in  Cold  Spring  July 
13th,  1839,  and  is  a  general  merchant.  He  has  held  the  offices 
of  town-clerk  and  supervisor  of  Philipstown.  He  married  Emily, 
daughter  of  Solomon  Bronson.  They  had  three  children,  Etta 
and  Alfred  (both  deceased),  and  Cornelia. 

Oscar  H,  Needling  was  born  in  Washington ville,  Orange 
county,  and  came  to  this  county  about  1856.  For  25  years  he 
has  conducted  a  general  market  business  in  Nelsonville.  He 
has  been  connected  with  the  Methodist  church  for  45  years. 

Colin  Tolmie  is  the  third  generation  of  the  same  name  who 
has  been  connected  with  the  West  Point  Foundry.  His  grand- 
father, Colin  Tolmie,  came  from  New  York  when  the  works 
were  established,  and  was  in  the  employ  of  the  company  till  the 
time  of, his  death  in  1882.  His  father,  Colin  Tolmie,  2d,  lost 
his  life  by  the  building  of  a  mortar  made  for  the  use  of  life 
saving  stations,  in  1875,  at  the  age  of  46.  He  married  Rachel, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Shriver.  Their  only  child  is  Colin 
Tolmie,  3d,  who  is  now  the  stock  and  shipping  clerk  of  the 


PERSONAL    SKETCHES.  761 

foundry.     He  married  Miss  Annie  L.,  daughter  of  John  C.  Du 
Bois,  and  has  one  child,  Agnes  M. 

Darius  Truesdell  was  born  at  Fishkill  Landing  February 
27th,  1827.  He  was  an  extensive  dealer  in  live  stock  and  came 
to  Cold  Sjiring  in  1840,  and  remained  till  1860.  In  1873  he  re- 
turned to  this  place  and  remained  till  his  death,  March  2d, 
1886.  Mr.  Truesdell  married,  first,  Ann  M.  Haight,  second, 
Harriet  B  Mason.  His  son,  James  Truesdell,  is  living  in  the 
village  of  Sing  Sing. 

Charles  B.  Warren  was  born  at  Grarrison's,  in  1831.  His 
homestead  is  the  one  formerly  owned  by  Stephen  Davenport  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Philipstown.  In  addition  to  managing  his 
farm  he  runs  a  milk  route  in  Cold  Spring.  He  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Davenport.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
masonic  order,  and  is  trustee  and  steward  of  the  North  High- 
lands Methodist  church. 

Milton  Wise  was  born  at  Salisbury,  Orange  county,  in  1818, 
and  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Wise.  In  1850  he  came  to  this 
county  and  established  a  brick  yard  at  the  foot  of  Breakneck 
Mountain  on  the  river  shore,  and  now  makes  2,500,000  bricks 
annually:     He  married  Catharine  Low. 

TOWN    OP   PATTERSON. 

Antliony  A.  Akin  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1829,  and  is  a 
farmer.  He  married  Elizabeth  Burch,  of  Pawling,  in  1852.  He 
has  been  commissioner  of  highways  and  assessor.  For  fifteen 
years  he  has  been  a  director  of  Patnani  County  National  Bank, 
and  for  several  years  vice-president. 

De  Witt  G.  Akin  is  a  farmer  and  was  born  in  Putnam  in  1826. 
He  married  Cynthia  Aldrich  and,  after  her  decease,  Almira  B. 
Mallory,  of  Sherman,  Conn.,  in  1860.  For  a  number  of  ye'ars 
he  was  president  of  the  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  was 
a  master  mason.     He  died  May  30th,  1884. 

Benjamin  C.  Baker  was  born  in  Patterson,  January  22d, 
1822,  and  is  a  farmer.  His  father,  Joseph,  and  grandfather, 
Phineas,  were  both  residents  of  this  town.  Mr.  Baker  lives  on 
the  homestead  which  has  been  in  possession  of  the  family  over 
100  years. 


762  HISTORY   OF  PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Henry  C.  Baldwin  was  born  in  Patterson,  in  1836,  and  was  a 
farmer.  In  1862  he  married  Phebe  J.  Storms,  of  Dutchess  county, 
N.  Y.  The  children  are:  Jerome  V.,  Herbert  E.,  Edward  S., 
and  Mary  J.     His  death  occurred  in  1870. 

George  Banks  was  born  in  Banksville,  Conn.,  in  1818.  He 
v^as  a  merchant  in  New  York  city  for  twenty-five  years,  and  re- 
tired from  business  and  located  in  Putnam  county,  in  1871. 
He  married  in  1840,  Caroline  Dakin  of  New  York  city.  His 
death  occurred  in  1879.  One  daughter,  Emily  B.,  is  married  to 
John  W.  Towner,  of  Patterson. 

Guy  A.  Birch  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1858,  was  educated  at 
public  schools  and  is  a  farmer. 

William  H.  Cowl,  born  in  Patterson  in  1839,  was  a  merchant 
and  farmer,  and  married  in  1858,  Carrie  M.  Sherman,  of  Dutch- 
ess county.  His  death  occurred  in  1873.  His  children  are: 
Emma  A.,  Irene  A.,  Clifton  A.,  Ella  P.,  and  Benjamin  P. 

Walter  F.  Crosby,  merchant,  was  born  in  Southeast,  in  1842. 
He  married  Hattie  E.  Bailey,  of  Patterson,  in  1869.  He  was 
coroner  one  term.  His  father,  Abner,  and  grandfather,  Stephen, 
were  residents  of  Putnam  county. 

William  C.  Fowler,  born  in  Kent  in  1811,  attended  public 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer.     He  married  Jane  Terry  in  1882. 

Eleazer  H.  Ganung  was  born  in  Carmel,  in  1822,  was  educated 
at  the  common  schools,  is  a  farmer,  and  married  Helen  Peck, 
of  Patterson. 

James  C.  Gerow  was  born  in  New  Fairfield,  Conn.,  in  1844, 
and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1856.  He  was  educated  at  public 
and  private  schools,  and  Dutchess  County  Academy,  and  is  a 
farmer.  In  ]870,  he  was  married  to  Frances  P.  Tupper,  of 
Washington  county,  and  has  three  children. 

William  Green  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  in  1820,  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1862.  "He  married,  in  1845,  Eliza 
Ann  St.  John,  of  Patterson.  He  has  been  justice  of  the  peace 
twelve  years,  supervisor  one  term,  and  justice  of  Sessions  one 
term,  and  is  a  farmer. 

Benjamin  Hamland  was  born  in  Patterson,  in  1808,  was  edu- 
cated at  public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace  twenty  years.  He  married  Abbie  Lane,  of  Sherman, 
Conn. 


PERSONAL    SKETCHES.  763 

Richard  T.  Haviland  was  born  in  Patterson,  in  1829,  educated 
at  public  schools  and  at  Nine  Partners.  He  is  a  farmer  and 
stock  dealer.  He  marrried,  in  1852,  Elizabeth  Sears,  of  South- 
east. 

James  C.  Hayt  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1821.  His  father, 
Harry,  and  grandfather,  Stephen,  were  residents  of  Putnam 
county.  He  was  educated  at  select  schools,  and  has  followed 
the  business  of  merchant,  farmer  and  miller.  He  married  Caro- 
line E.  Rogers,  of  Patterson. 

JDavid  Henion  was  born  in  Kent  in  1836,  was  educated  at 
common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  has  been  road  commis- 
sioner and  assessor,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
He  married  Maria  A  Robinson,  of  Kent,  in  1870. 

Kent  Henion  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1839,  educated  at  public 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Cornelia  W.  Haines,  in 
1859. 

Joseph  HopMns  was  born  in  Patterson,  in  1832,  attended 
public  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Emily  V.  Kelley,  of 
Carmel,  and  resides  on  old  homestead  which  been  in  possession  of 
the  family  for  100  years. 

Daniel  8.  Judd  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1804,  and  came  to 
Putnam  county  in  1829.  He  was  educated  at  common  schools, 
and  is  a  farmer.  He  was  supervisor  of  Putnam  two  terms,  and 
overseer  of  poor  for  many  years. 

Samuel  UaUe,  of  Patterson,  was  born  in  1772,  and  lived  on 
the  farm  now  owned  by  David  Henion,  and  which  was  the  resi- 
dence of  his  father,  Abram  Mabie,  who  came  from  Cape  Cod. 
He  married  Ruth  Bolt,  of  Patterson,  by  whom  he  had  ten  chil- 
dren. 

William  A.  Mabie  was  born  in  Patterson  November  28th, 
1827,  married  Laura  A.  Dykeman,  of  Southeast,  January  19th, 
1850,  and  died  April  16th,  1881.  He  was  a  farmer  and  justice 
of  the  peace. 

Moses  Peck  was  born  in  Dutchess  county  in  1826,  and  came 
to  Putnam  county  in  1865.  He  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Hannah 
N.  K.  Chase,  of  Dutchess  county. 

Alfred  C.  Penny  was  born  in  Southeast  in  1807,  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.     He  married  Louisa  C. 


764 


HISTOEY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 


Crosby,  of  Patterson,  in  1833,  and  has  one  child,  Julia  C,  wife 
of  James  H.  Thompson.  Mr.  Penny  has  been  supervisor  two 
terms  and  Justice  of  the  peace  26  years. 

Philip  D.  Penny  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1831,  and  married 
Mary  J.  Towner  in  1853.  He  was  for  many  years  a  merchant 
at  Towner's  Station,  and  in  1873  purchased  the  farm  where  he 
now  lives.  He  was  postmaster  of  Towner's  many  years,  justice 
of  the  peace  12  years,  justice  of  Sessions  two  ternis,  coroner 
three  years  and  supervisor  two  terms. 

Lewis  G.  Pugsley  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1841.  His  father, 
Alfred,  and  grandfather,  Benjamin,  resided  in  this  county.  -Mr. 
Pugsley  has  followed  the  mercantile  business.  In  1870  he  mar- 
ried Josephine  Barnum,  of  Patterson.  He  has  been  town  clerk 
of  Patterson  six  years  and  postmaster  at  Patterson  fourteen 
years. 


George  W.  Seaman  w&s  born  in  East  Fishkill  in  1838,.  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  about  1851.  In  early  life  he  engaged 
as  a  clerk,  and  later  as  a  merchant  in  New  York  city  and  Pat- 
terson. For  20  years  he  has  been  proprietor  and  owner  of  the 
well-known  American  Hotel  at  Patterson.  He  married  in  1858 
Lydia]iA.  Sloat,  of  Patterson,  and  has  threa  children. 

Henry  A.  Stephens  was  born  in  Dutchess  county  in  1809, 
came  to  Putnam  county  when  nine  years  old,  was  educated  at 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  765 

Litchfield  Seminary,  and  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer.  He  mar- 
ried in  1865  Nettie  J.  Bailey,  of  Patterson.  Their  children  are, 
Henry  B.  and  Jennie  E. 

Daniel  D.  SteinbecJc  was  born  in  I'hilipstown  September  28th, 
1812.  His  father,  John,  and  grandfather,  Philip,  were  resi- 
dents of  this  county.  The  family  came  originally  from  Holland. 
Mr.  Steinbeck  was  married  September  5th,  1842,  to  Emeline 
Mabie,  of  Patterson,  and  has  four  children.  He  is  a  farmer  and 
was  assessor  15  years. 

William  0.  Taylor  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1832.  His  father, 
Roswell  B.,  came  from  Connecticut.  He  is  a  farmer,  was 
assessor  three  terms,  and  was  enrolling  marshall  during  the 
Rebellion.     He  married  Mary  C.  Haviland  in  1863. 

Eli  Terry,  son  of  Peter,  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1809,  at- 
tended the  district  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  was  married  in 
1838  to  Eliza  A.  Terry,  and  died  in  1861,  leaving  one  daughter, 
Carrie  P. 

Henry  G  Tucker  was  born  in  Bedford,  Westchester  county, 
in  1843,  and  came  to  Patterson  in  1867.  He  was  educated  in 
public  and  select  schools  and  is  a  merchant.  He  married  Jane 
E.  Kent,  of  Patterson,  in  1877. 

George  E.  Wright  was  born  in  Delaware  county  in  1861,  was 
educated  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married,  in 
1881,  Lillie  V.  Cowl,  daughter  of  Alpheus  V.  Cowl,  of  Pat- 
terson. 

TOWN    OF   KENT. 

Ezra  CoUoell  was  boru  in  Kent  in  1811.  He  is  a  farmer.  He 
married  Hannah  Cole,  of  Kent.     His  decease  occurred  in  1882. 

William  Colwell  was  born  in  Kent  in  1800,  and  was  a  farmer. 
He  married  Polly  Colwell,  of  Greene  county,  N.  Y.  His  death 
occurred  in  1848. 

William  C.  Entrott  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1823,  is  a 
farmer,  and  was  educated  at  public  schools.  For  five  years  he 
has  been  keeper  of  the  poor  of  Putnam  county.  He  married 
Phoebe  Hopper,  of'Philipstown. 

Andrew  J.  FosTiay  was  born  in  Philipstown  in  1 830,  was  edu- 
cated at  common  schools,  and  has  been  merchant  and  farmer. 


766  HISTORY   OF   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

Has  been  county  coroner;  also  supervisor  of  Kent  one  term, 
road  commissioner  and  justice,  also  justice  of  Sessions.  He 
married  in  1852  Emeline  Griffin,  of  Philipstown. 

F.  D.  Haight  was  born  in  Kent  in  1841,  attended  public 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  lias  been  assessor  of  Kent  13 
years. 

Joseph  E.  M.  Hdbhy  was  born  in  Salem,  Westchester  county, 
and  died  in  1856.  He  was  sheriff  of  Putnam  county  one  term. 
He  married  Sarah  Field,  of  Southeast.  His  son,  Isaac  E. 
Hobby,  is  married  to  Josephine  R.  Townsend,  of  Carmel.  He 
is  a  farmer. 

William  A.  Hopkins  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1818,  was  educated 
at  the  common  and  select  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  In  1845,  be 
married  Hannah  E.  Sunderlin,  of  Carmel,  daughter  of  Daniel 
H.  Sunderlin.  He  has  three  children:  Emma  L.,  wife  of  Theo- 
dore Yeomans;  Franklin  A.,  married  Emma  L.  Drew;  and  Edwin 
W.,  at  Princeton  College. 

Putnam  lyigM  was  horn  in  Genesee  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1812, 
and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1813  in  care  of  an  uncle,  Samuel 
Hawkins.  He  attended  public  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He 
married  in  1839,  Miss  U.  N.  Smith.  His  second  wife's  maiden 
name  was  Miss  A.  J.  Light.     He  has  been  assessor  three  terms. 

Frederick  H.  Lndington  was  born  in  Kent  in  1833.  He  is  a 
farmer.  He  married  Mary  J.  Seaman,  of  East  Peekskill, 
Dutchess  county,  N.  Y. 

Charles  Mead  was  born  in  Kent  in  1826.  He  was  educated  in 
public  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  has  been  supervisor  of  Kent 
three  terms,  and  was  also  elected  Justice  and  town  collector. 

Daniel  K.  Merritt  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1830,  and  attended 
public  school.  He  is  proprietor  of  flouring  mills,  has  been 
justice  of  peace  eight  years,  and  married  Miss  T.  J.  Tompkins 
of  Kent. 

William  A.  NortTiup  was  born  in  Kent  in  1829,  and  is  a 
farmer.  He  was  assessor  of  Kent  three  terms.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Hyatt,  of  Carmel,  in  1862. 

W.  B.  Northup  was  born  in  Kent  in  1838,  and  educated  at 
public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Miss  B.  C.  Kelley, 
of  Southeast,  in  1869. 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  767 

La  Fayette  Post  was  born  in  Kent  in  1844,  attended  the 
public  schools,  and  is  a  miller.  He  married  Emma  Bennett,  of 
Kent. 

Peter  G.  Rickey  was  born  in  Dutchess  county  in  1821,  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1853.  His  death  occurred  in  1881. 
He  married,  in  1850,  Catharine  S.  Dean,  of  Kent.  Mr.  Rickey 
was  a  farmer. 

James  Robinson  was  born  in  Patterson  in  1824,  is  a  farmer, 
and  was  educated  at  public  schools.  He  married  Miss  K. 
Robinson,  of  Kent. 

Lewis  G.  Robinson  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  and  came 
to  Putnam  county  with  his  father  about  1840.  He  attended 
the  public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer.  He  has 
been  supervisor  of  Kent  four  terms,  and  was  director  of  Put- 
nam County  Agricultural  Society.  He  married  Laura  Henion, 
of  Kent. 

Samuel  Terry  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1816,  educated  at  com- 
mon schools,  and  was  a  farmer.  His  death  occurred  in  1884. 
He  was  married  in  1837  to  Susan  Townsend,  of  Southeast.  The 
children  are  Emily,  Lucelia,  and  Uriah. 

Martin  Stevens  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1839,  attended 
the  public  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  His  father  David,  and 
grandfather,  Edward,  were  residents  of  this  county.  He  has 
been  road  commissioner,  poormaster,  and  coroner  several  terms. 
He  married  Sarah  O.  Adams,  of  Putnam  Valley,  and  has  six 
children,  of  whom  three  are  teachers  and  one  a  graduate  of  the 
State  Normal  School  at  Albany. 

Henry  Townsend  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1833,  was  a  farmer, 
and  married  Angeline  Barrett,  of  Kent.  His  death  occurred 
in  1871. 

Eben  Wixom  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1815,  is  a  farmer,  and 
married  Laura  Robinson,  of  Kent,  February  6th,  1839. 

Smith  Warden  was  born  in  Kent,  in  1817.  He  has  been 
supervisor  of  Kent  two  terms,  also  elected  town  clerk.  He 
went  to  California  in  1849,  and  returned  to  Putnam  county  in 
1865. 


768  HISTORY    OF   PUTNAM    COUNTY. 

TOWN    or   PUTNAM   VALLEY. 

S.  F.  Adams  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1814,  attended 
district  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  in  1847,  Margaret 
Pierce,  of  Putnam  Valley. 

Sela  Armstrong  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1840.  He  was 
educated  at  district  schools  and  Peekskill  Military  School,  and 
is  a  farmer.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  four  years,  and  was 
elected  supervisor  of  Putnam  Valley  in  1886.  He  married 
Margaret  Cole,  of  Putnam  Valley,  in  1862. 

David  Barger  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1822,  educated 
at  district  schools  and  Salem  Academy,  and  is  a  farmer.  He 
was  a  teacher  three  years.  He  married  Elizabeth  Crawford,  of 
Putnam  Valley,  and  has  been  assessor  one  term. 

Francis  BucTcbee  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1826,  edu- 
cated at  district  schools,  and  is  a  farmer  and  blacksmith.  He 
was  married,  in  1854,  to  Sarah  Barger,  of  Putnam  Valley. 

Monmouth  H.  G.  BucJcbee  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1807, 
was  educated  at  district  schools,  and  was  a  farmer  and  carpen- 
ter. He  was  supervisor  many  years.  He  married,  in  1828,  Sally 
Avery,  of  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.  Their  children  are:  Eliza- 
beth A.,  Hannah,  Sela,  Martha,  Jacob  and  Emma.  Mr.  Buck- 
bee  died  in  1869. 

Joel  ConMin  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1840,  attended 
district  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Martha  Tompkins, 
of  Putnam  Valley,  in  1865. 

Randolph  Croft  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1833,  father 
and  grandfather  both  residents  of  the  county,  attended  district 
schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Emalinda  Hill,  in  1871, 
a  native  of  Dutchess  county. 

Samuel  Croft  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  in  1821,  was  edu- 
cated at  district  schools,  is  a  farmer,  and  an  ordained  local 
preacher  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  married  Esther 
E.  Lickley,  May  6th,  1843,  a  native  of  utnam  Valley. 

John  Gilbert  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1817,  attended 
district  school,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Sarah  Travis,  of 
Putnam  Valley. 

John  C.  Green  was  born  in  Somers,  Westchester  county,  in 
1822,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  in  1872.  He  was  educated  at 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  769 

district  and  select  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, in  1852  and  retruned  in  1859.  He  married,  in  1847,  Eliza- 
beth Ladue. 

John  L.  Horton  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley,  in  1840,  attended 
district  school,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Travis, 
of  Putnam  Valley,  in  1867.  He  has  been  excise  commissioner 
one  term. 

Nelson  S.  Horton  was  born  in  Carmel  in  1837,  educated  at 
district  school  and  is  a  farmer,  and  for  a  number  of  years  trav- 
elled in  menagerie  business.  He  married  in  1875  Miss  F.  0.  Bar- 
rett, of  Carmel  township. 

Wright  J.  Horton  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1813,  at- 
tended district  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  In  1886  he  removed  to 
Flint,  Michigan,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  married  Deb- 
orah Wilcox,  of  Dutchess  county,  in  1836. 

Thomas  N.  James  was  born  in  Yorktown,  Westchester  county, 
in  1811,  and  came  to  Putnam  county  about  1836.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  district  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  in  1836 
Phebe  S.  Griffen,  of  Yorktown.  He  has  been  supervisor  of 
Putnam  Valley  one  term. 

Joseph  Lee  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1824.  His  father, 
Abijah,  was  the  first  settler  of  the  family  in  the  county,  re- 
moving from  Westchester  about  1828.  He  purchased  property 
at  Oscawana  Lake.  In  1856  he  built  the  Oscawana  Lake  House, 
the  first  opened,  which  is  now  owned  by  Joseph  Lee.  He  is 
also  proprietor  of  paper  mills  at  Oregon.  He  married  Harriet 
Travis,  of  Putnam  Valley,  in  1853. 

Rotert  W.  Lounshury  was  born  JJiTovember  29th,  1817.  The 
name  first  appears  in  the  list  of  the  inhabitants  of  Dutchess 
county  in  1723,  when  Kichard  Lounsbury  is  mentioned.  Robert 
W.  is  the  grandson  of  Isaac  and  the  son  of  Joshua,  who  mar- 
ried Lydia,  daughter  of  Eliakim  Wardell.  Robert  W.  Louns- 
bury has  been  for  more  than  twenty  years  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  is  now  living  on  a  farm,  owned  in  Revolutionary  times,  by 
William  Smith.  This  farm  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  line 
between  Lots  4  and  5  of  thePhilipse  Patent,  and  is  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  north  of  Bryant  Pond. 

49 


770  HISTORY   OP   PUTNAM   COUNTY. 

John  Mead,  jr.,  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1831,  and  came 
to  Putnam  county  when  quite  young.  He  was  educated  at  dis- 
trict schools  and  Peekskill  Military  Academy,  and  is  a  farmer. 
He  married  Priscilla  Wixom,  of  Putnam  Valley,  and  resides  on 
the  old  homestead  which  has  been  in  possession  of  the  family 
about  100  years. 

Isaac  J.  Oakley  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1823,  attended 
district  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married,  in  1854,  Elizabeth 
S.  Brown,  of  Westchester  county.  He  has  been  an  officer  in 
the  M.  E.  church  many  years. 

Jackson  Perry  is  a  farmer  and  wag  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in 
1828.  He  has  been  road  commissioner  many  years  and  supervisor 
of  Putnam  Valley  five  years.  He  married  Mary  Crawford  of 
Putnam  Valley. 

Reuben  Perry  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1849,  educated 
at  district  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married,  in  1869,  Sarah 
Jane  Armstrong,  of  Putnam  Valley. 

Charles  Bundle  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  educated  at  dis- 
trict schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Harriet  Adams,  of 
Putnam  coimty,  and  after  her  decease  Malinda  Light.  His  chil- 
dren are  Oscar,  Theodore  H.,  and  Martha. 

W.  E.  Samler  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1837  and  came 
to  Putnam  county  in  1869.  He  was  educated  in  New  York.  His 
business  is  pianoforte  manufacturing.  He  married  Stella  Cum- 
mins of  Putnam  Valley. 

William  O.  Scofield  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1820  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1860.  He  is  a  farmer  and  proprietor 
of  iron  mines.  He  married  Francis  Croft  of  Putnam  Valley,  a 
descendant  of  an  old  Putnam  county  family. 

James  Sherwood  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1844,  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  about  1855.  He  was  educated  in  New 
York  and  district  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  marrried 
Ophelia  Smith,  of  Putnam  Valley.  He  has  been  collector  and 
constable. 

James  W.  Silleck  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1821.  His 
father,  Gould  J.,  and  grandfather,  Gould  J.,  were  residents  of 
the  county.  He  was  educated  at  district  schools.  For  many 
years  he  was  a  coal  merchant  in  New  York  city,  and  is  now  a 


PERSONAL   SKETCHES.  771 

farmer.     He   married,  in   1843,    Maria   W.  Romer   of  Philips- 
town. 

Forman  Smith  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1829,  educated 
at  district  schools,  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Elethea  Ferris 
of  Cold  Spring,  in  1854. 

James  SmitJi  was  born  in  Westchester  county  in  1848,  and 
came  to  Putnam  county  in  1866.  He  was  educated  at  district 
schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married,  in  1866,  Mary  C.  Horn,  of 
Putnam  Valley,  daughter  of  Benjamin  T.  Horn,  a  well-known 
lawyer  of  New  York,  who  for  a  time  resided  at  Adams'  Corners 
in  Putnam  Valley. 

Cornelius  B.  TompMns  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1833, 
attended  district  schools  and  is  a  farmer.  He  married  Miss  A. 
M.  Conklin,  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y.,  in  1859.  He  has  been  a  road 
commissioner  and  justice  of  peace. 

JoJm  Wallace  was  born  in  Putnam  Valley  in  1850.  His 
father,  Henry,  and  grandfather,  Greorge,  were  residents  of  the 
county.  He  was  educated  at  district  schools  and  is  a  farmer. 
He  has  been  town  collector  and  constable.  He  married  Sarah 
A.  Wixsora  of  Carmel  township.